Juan Ontiveros Ramos
Juan Ontivero Ramos fue un defensor del medio ambiente y de los derechos del pueblo indígena Rarámuri, del cual también era una autoridad tradicional en la comunidad de Choreáchi. El defensor de derechos humanos se dedicaba a combatir la tala ilegal y la ocupación ilegal de tierras para cultivos ilícitos en las tierras ancestrales del pueblo Rarámuri, en la Sierra Tarahumara. Juan Ontiveros Ramos también había sido nombrado por su comunidad como el responsable por su seguridad colectiva.
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.
