Historic! In Atizapan, State of Mexico, Pedro Rodríguez signs an agreement to protect journalists and human rights defenders / @Pedro_RVillegas @GobAtizapan

#AtizapánDeZaragoza, #StateOfMexico.- The Government of Atizapán de Zaragoza, led by Mayor Pedro Rodríguez Villegas, has taken a resolute step towards defending crucial individual rights within the municipality. It recently signed the Inter-Institutional Coordination Agreement for the Comprehensive Protection of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders in the State of Mexico. This significant event, hosted in the historic City Council Hall, establishes the necessary groundwork to generate coordinated actions and assure a safe working environment for these vital professions.

Mayor Pedro Rodríguez Villegas strongly emphasised the indispensable nature of journalism in a healthy democratic society. He firmly stated that the essential work undertaken by communicators, which includes reporting on “both the good and the bad that governments sometimes do,” must not in any way create risks for them or their families. Rodríguez Villegas underscored his administration’s full commitment, assuring them: “Let them know that we will always be vigilant to safeguard and protect their rights.”

Mr Jesús George Zamora, the Legal Counsel for the State of Mexico and President of the Protection Mechanism’s Governing Board, publicly recognised the exemplary and proactive stance taken by the Atizapán government. Mr Zamora noted that by undertaking this action, the Mayor is effectively “setting an example” for other municipalities across the nation to follow. He further stressed that this critical combined effort directly benefits the pillars of democracy: freedom of expression and the defence of human rights.

The new inter-institutional agreement is designed to implement necessary training and orientation programmes aimed specifically at the municipal public servants. These tailored programmes will focus heavily on establishing the protocols and best practices that should fundamentally govern all interactions with both journalists and human rights defenders. With this decisive measure, the local government aims to formalise its comprehensive commitment to safeguarding these essential civic roles within the territory.

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