A/HRC/39/17/Add.2
86.
In Chiapas, indigenous Central American migrants suffer persecution, extortion and
kidnapping at the hands of the federal and state authorities and criminal groups. Despite
some State-led measures, such as training for immigration officers on non-discrimination,
indigenous Central American migrants and indigenous Mexicans living in the border area
suffer abuse as a result of racial profiling by immigration officers. They are often detained
arbitrarily and returned to their country of origin, without being given access to legal
advice.
87.
Indigenous migrant women face additional risks connected with human trafficking
in the border area. Many such women, from both Mexico and Central America, find
employment in Mexico as domestic workers. There have been reports of violations of the
human rights and labour rights of indigenous domestic workers resulting from poor
working conditions, the lack of benefits, and sexual abuse.
88.
Indigenous day labourers, most of whom come from southern states to work on
farms in the north, face serious violations of their labour rights and human rights. They
suffer serious problems such as exposure to agrochemicals, a lack of social security and
health services and, in the case of women, sexual violence at the hands of their employers.
Concerns have also been raised about the discrimination and poor standards of care in
health centres faced by pregnant women and children who have contracted diseases or
suffered accidents on farms.
Indigenous victims and forced displacement
89.
Indigenous victims of natural disasters face specific challenges. Some 16,000
indigenous families were reportedly affected by the weather events that struck Guerrero in
2013. The indigenous peoples concerned put forward a comprehensive proposal whereby
culturally appropriate food would be distributed under their supervision, subject to the
provision of sufficient resources. However, the state and federal authorities ignored this
proposal and continue to promote welfare-based programmes that are not culturally
appropriate.
90.
The earthquakes of September 2017 also had an impact on indigenous peoples.
Those who were affected in Mexico City emphasized the need for more differentiated
assistance. The loss of homes, schools and livelihoods had a dramatic impact on indigenous
communities in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The alleged corruption in the management of
economic resources intended for victims is also a source of concern.
91.
As mentioned previously, indigenous families and communities have been forcibly
displaced to urban areas or other communities by organized crime, local territorial and
political conflicts or megaprojects. Displacement often lasts for a prolonged period of time
and not enough is done to ensure the return of displaced persons, since there is no
comprehensive, coordinated policy on the issue.
92.
In Chiapas, there are worrying cases of displacement caused by intercommunity
conflicts over political power and territorial boundaries, involving paramilitary groups that
are linked to the counter-insurgency policy against the Ejército Zapatista de Liberación
Nacional. A particularly serious case is that of the border conflict between the
municipalities of Chenalhó and Chalchihuitán, which has lasted for over 40 years; it was
originally caused by the agrarian authorities’ failure to recognize the traditional boundaries
of each community and was then aggravated by the presence of armed groups linked to the
government of one of the municipalities. In November 2017, these municipalities faced a
serious humanitarian crisis caused by the displacement of over 5,000 indigenous persons,
most of whom were women (including pregnant women), children and older persons. There
is still a risk of violence, despite the ruling handed down by an agrarian court in December
2017. Some communities have been pressured by the authorities to return to their lands
even though measures have not been taken to ensure their safety by disbanding and
punishing paramilitary groups in this area.
GE.18-10617
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