Antonio Regis Nicolás
Antonio Regis Nicolás fue un líder Nahua defensor de derechos humanos y miembro de la comunidad indígena Nahua de Santa María Ostula. Estaba encargado del orden seguro del concejo comunal, desde donde realizaba su labor de defensa y cuidado de la comunidad y territorio frente a las invasiones y despojos por parte de diferentes grupos de crimen organizado. También se encargó de la protección del territorio frente a intereses externos que buscan activar la minería y explotar sus recursos.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists in Mexico are subject to intimidation, legal harassment, arbitrary detention, death threats, acts of physical aggression, enforced disappearances and killings as a result of their activities in defence of human rights and the exercise of freedom of expression and journalism.
Disappearances are endemic in Mexico, often happening with collusion from the state. HRDs working on the issue face serious risk, up to and including death. HRDs working in the defence of territory, particularly indigenous territory, face a similar level of risk. They are criminalised, imprisoned, defamed, and often killed. Journalists working on any of these issues, or issues related to the drugs trade and the government's complicity in this, also run the risk of losing their lives.
