Warning issued over stigmatisation campaign against human rights defenders in Unión Hidalgo

25 Sep Warning issued over stigmatisation campaign against human rights defenders in Unión Hidalgo

Unión Hidalgo, Oaxaca / Mexico City, 25 September 2026. — The Collective in Defence of Human Rights and Communal Assets in Unión Hidalgo and the Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ProDESC) express our concern regarding the circulation in Unión Hidalgo of anonymous material that publicly singles out and discredits members of the community who have been involved in the defence of human rights, the territory and communal assets.

These messages began to circulate in the context of the hearing held on 24 September before the Paris Court of Justice, relating to a civil lawsuit against Électricité de France (EDF) concerning the Gunaa Sicarú wind farm project, which has been pursued by human rights defenders and community members from Unión Hidalgo since 2020.

We are particularly concerned that human rights defenders are being publicly identified and portrayed in a stigmatising and distorted manner for exercising their right to participate in processes to defend their territory and access justice.

The case of Unión Hidalgo has for years been characterised by a context of community division, intimidation, discrediting, stigmatisation, harassment and attacks against human rights and territorial defenders. For this reason, the circulation of such messages cannot be analysed in isolation: it may deepen divisions within the community and increase the risks and vulnerability faced by those who have publicly participated in the defence of their rights. 

Furthermore, we have learnt that stigmatising references and images of human rights and territorial defenders have also begun to circulate on social media, which heightens our concern for their safety.

Today’s hearing in Paris forms part of the legitimate exercise of the right to access to justice, and also marks a historic milestone: it is the first time that an indigenous community from the Americas has given evidence in legal proceedings against a French company. Resorting to national or international mechanisms to defend human rights must not become a reason for singling out, intimidation, or reprisals.

For this reason, ProDESC and the Collective in Defence of Human Rights and Communal Assets of Unión Hidalgo:

• Reject any form of stigmatisation or singling out of human rights and land defenders;

• Consider it necessary to document these events, assess the risks arising from public profiling and, in a timely manner, adopt appropriate prevention and protection measures for the affected defenders;
• We call on people not to reproduce or amplify anonymous material that may increase confrontation or expose members of the community;
• We call on the competent authorities to take timely measures to prevent further attacks or acts of intimidation, to investigate the relevant incidents and to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the exercise of the right to defend human rights.

The Gunaa Sicarú project was cancelled, but the divisions and negative impacts generated during the years in which it was sought to be implemented do not automatically disappear. In this context, it is essential to prevent further forms of exposure, singling out or intimidation, and to promote conditions that allow people to exercise their rights and express their views without fear.

Defending their territory and seeking justice are rights of communities and human rights defenders. No one should be stigmatised for exercising these rights.

Collective for the Defence of Human Rights and Communal Assets in Unión Hidalgo
Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ProDESC)

Press contact

Valeria Berumen
Strategic Communications Co-ordinator | ProDESC
comunicacion.estrategica@prodesc.org.mx
+52 55 1503 2410