In a compelling intervention at the recent environmental defenders’ event, Alma Xochitl Zamora Mendez from Mexico highlighted crucial aspects related to meaningful participation, media representation, and the challenges faced by her indigenous community.
Ensuring Activists’ Participation:
Alma emphasized the significance of action plans like CLIMAS, promoting civic engagement, linguistic justice, and transformative gender strategies. She shed light on the process of creating life plans for her community, initiated in 2009 due to the proposed construction of a hotel without local consent. The collaboration of academics, citizens, and authorities led to the establishment of the territorial order in Cuetzalan, supported by both the government and indigenous knowledge. Despite ongoing activism and protection efforts, the government continues to criminalize activists. Alma underlined the impact of extractivist tourism projects and the lack of effective regulations, emphasizing the need for continued participation in discussions.
Highlighting the importance of language rights, Alma stressed that information should be accessible in multiple languages to reach local communities. She called for inclusive and horizontal communication, stating that being present at events like these is a crucial part of the journey towards environmental justice.
Media’s Role in Protecting Defenders:
Alma provided a stark overview of the threats faced by communities and defenders, with 197 cases in 2020 alone, involving intimidation, threats, and damages. She contextualized the situation, noting that 2022 was the third most lethal year after 2017. Alma underscored the power of media in changing narratives but pointed out instances where communication turned into fake news, endangering Indigenous communities. She commended the rise of inclusive and multicultural journalism, highlighting the importance of telling untold stories and venturing into overlooked territories.
In response to a question about data and cooperation with companies, Alma revealed the internal debates within her community. Cooperation with companies was attempted to assist electricity projects, but challenges arose. Alma acknowledged the difficulty in obtaining accurate numbers on harassment, especially in small communities located far from the capital. She emphasized the importance of cooperation while navigating the intricacies of reporting to authorities.
Alma’s interventions bring a human perspective to the struggles faced by environmental defenders, emphasizing the need for collaboration, inclusive communication, and media responsibility in advocating for a just transition.
