Authorities found the body of Arnulfo Cerón Soriano, indigenous human rights defender, on 20 November in a clandestine grave near the city of Tlapa, Guerrero state in western Mexico. Arnulfo was a member of the Popular Mountain Front and Movement for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of the State of Guerrero (MOLPEG). He disappeared on 11 October on his way to a meeting in this city. Authorities must redouble their efforts to investigate his disappearance and death, holding those responsible to account, and ensure safety of Arnulfo´s family and organizations that support him.
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Héctor Astudillo Flores
Governor of the State of Guerrero
Palacio de Gobierno
Boulevard René Juárez No. 62, Col. De los Servicios
Chilpancingo, Guerrero
Fax: +52-1-747 4719801 ext. 9801
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Ambassador Martha Bárcena Coqui
Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20006
Phone: 202 728 1600
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Martha_Barcena
Facebook: @EmbamexEUA
Instagram: @embamexeua
Salutation: Dear Ambassador
Dear Governor,
I am shocked at the discovery of the dead body of Arnulfo Cerón Soriano. During 2019, Arnulfo and members of MOLPEG had received threatening phone calls and messages relating to their activism work. Following the arrest of suspects in Arnulfo´s disappearance, family members received threatening messages, MOLPEG members noted strange persons outside their residences and Tlachinollan Human Rights Center has observed unknown subjects staying watch outside their offices.
Yesterday, state authorities announced an investigation into the death, and continuation of the investigation into Arnulfo´s disappearance. These investigations must consider his work as a human rights defender in ensuring a robust enquiry.
I urge you to ensure state authorities carry out an effective investigation into the disappearance and death of Arnulfo Cerón and bring those responsible to account while guaranteeing the safety of MOLPEG members, family members of Arnulfo Cerón and staff of Tlachinollan Human Rights Center.
Yours sincerely,
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