Journalists sexually assaulted and psychologically tortured while detained

Location: Mexico, Puebla

Date: March 10, 2023

Update: January 10, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the egregious and unacceptable acts of sexual and psychological violence perpetrated against the journalists, and sisters, Natalie and Michelle Hoyos López by police officers in Puebla, Mexico. These heinous acts, which occurred during their wrongful detention on March 10, 2023, for reporting on a protest against violence towards women, represent not only a gross violation of their human rights but also a direct attack on press freedom and the integrity of journalistic practice. Women Press Freedom demands that Mexico's local and federal authorities take immediate steps to ensure accountability for those responsible for these violations. The continuation of these officers' duties without reprimand or dismissal is intolerable. 

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On March 10, 2023, journalists Natalie Hoyos López and her sister Michelle were covering a protest in Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla — part of nationwide women's day protests on March 8 — against violence towards women when police unjustly detained them.

During their over-six-hour detention, the sisters faced appalling mistreatment. Police officers, allegedly acting on orders from the local mayor, sexually assaulted the reporters and subjected them to psychological torture.

"They were mocking us (...). They engaged in lascivious touching, touched our intimate parts, and forced us to lower our pants and perform squats," Natalie López, a journalist with Enlace Noticias, told E-Consulta.

Sexual violence was compounded by psychological torture, as the assaults extended beyond humiliation for their profession, with law enforcement insisting the reporter "cover a story about it," mocking their work.

The women were released after being charged with an administrative infraction and ordered to pay 1,800 pesos ($108). As Natalie López states, their sole crime was "working for a media outlet critical of the current government."

As of January 10, 2024, ten months after the assault, justice remains elusive. Although the journalist reported the abuse to the Attorney General's Office, the officers responsible for the assault continued their duties unsanctioned.

“The police officers are still active; none of them were dismissed or removed from their positions,” says Natalie Lopez. “The mayor, after I made the incident public, mentioned in a press conference that she would initiate an investigation process in the Municipal Comptroller's Office, but her relative is there; obviously, the issue was not pursued, not investigated, no position was taken, and nothing was done."

Referred to different offices for complaints, the women have faced repeated incompetence and mistreatment. Despite investigations, no progress has been made. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has even pledged to intervene, but López is skeptical. "Seeing is believing," says the journalist. 

"I demand that those responsible for that night be judged and pay for what they did,” Natalie López says. 

A year after the horrendous acts against the López sisters, Women Press Freedom documented the attacks against at least 19 journalists during International Women's Day. Among these, at least 7 were women, and the perpetrators of 11 attacks were identified as authorities, involving arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, and the use of irritants.

This troubling trend isn't isolated but part of a series of events illustrating the systemic violence journalists face in Mexico, especially during protests advocating for women's rights and social justice. Women Press Freedom documented police assaulting and wrongfully detaining four women photojournalists during the 2021 Women’s Day protests in Mexico City. The issue traces back further, exemplified by the unjust 2020 detention of journalist Lizbeth Hernández while she covered a feminist group’s occupation in Ecatepec. 

Mexico holds the grim record of being the deadliest country for journalists outside of war zones. Journalists covering corruption and crime are particularly at risk, facing abduction, assault, or worse. Despite implementing a protection mechanism and appointing a special prosecutor to investigate attacks on the media, these measures are often inadequate, as evident in the case of the López sisters. Achieving justice remains challenging, with investigations rarely leading to resolution due to intimidation or collusion between investigators and perpetrators.

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Natalie and Michelle Hoyos López, and with all journalists who face threats and violence in the line of duty. The government's commitment to address such abuses must translate into tangible actions to ensure accountability and protect journalists' rights. Women Press Freedom demands action by the state and federal authorities; justice for the Hoyos López sisters and accountability for their assailants is not negotiable. 

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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