New Mexican Human Rights Chief Met With Controversy and Outrage Following Election
Rosario Ibarra’s appointment for Human Rights Chief led to intense senate arguments. (Wikimedia)
Mexico's new human rights commissioner, Rosario Piedra Ibarra, was sworn in amongst chaos on November 13. She has elicited fury and controversy after asking whether journalists are killed in Mexico, despite the country being named the most dangerous Latin American country for journalists, according to Expansion Politica.
As Ibarra was sworn into office on mayhem ensued. Minutes before the disruption, a huge banner that read “PAN [National Action Party] Lies” was displayed across the senate. Protesters led the commotion, accusing the new commissioner of a rigged vote and of being a government puppet. According to CNN, Piedra was sworn in amidst senators screaming and shoving each other as protesters held up signs with the message “No to Fraud in the CNDH [National Human Rights Commission]” and shouted at the new commissioner, “It’s fraud!”
Fights among senators also broke out. La Tarde reported that Gustavo Madero Muñoz, a National Action Party senator, was seen attempting to push through the crowds as he tried to stop Piedra Ibarra from being sworn in. This was to no avail as Citlalli Hernández, a National Regeneration Movement senator, pulled him away before he could get to the new chief.
The same day, the controversy surrounding Piedra Ibarra grew after she responded to questions about violence against journalists in Mexico. According to the Guardian, Piedra Ibarra responded to reporters’ questions about the murder of journalists in the country with, “They’ve killed journalists?” She further insisted that the attacks “happened in past administrations and it’s something terrible.”
Her response was met with outrage when reports identified Mexico as the most dangerous location for journalists. The CPJ reported that Mexico is currently the “deadliest country” for those in the profession, and its impunity rating has worsened over time. Periodistas Desplazados, a Mexican NGO, voiced complaints against the Ibarra. They stated that her response was inappropriate for murdered journalists’ families, and her response elicits a “feeling of vulnerability upon the ignorance of such a cruel reality.”
Also facing accusations of a rigged election, Rosario Piedra Ibarra reiterated that her election was “legitimate and legal.” She went on to state that she is not underqualified, and “there are thousands of citizens who are happy with [her] election.”
In an interview with El Pais, Piedra Iberra also responded to claims that she would be a puppet for López Obrador’s presidency. She stated, “they have the right to believe what they want, I will act according to my conscience, what can I say, I won’t convince you all with speeches, I will convince you with facts.” She declared that her priority will be on building a team “with a commitment to serve” and bettering the country that’s currently “in pieces” regarding human rights violations, and that a “hope for justice” will transpire in her leadership of the CNDH for the next five years.