Mexico: Priest receives death threats for human rights work

Fr Solalinde

A threat to kill Mexican priest Father Alejandro Solalinde, has been broadcast on social networks today.

A video was posted in a a tweet reading: THE FATHER HAS BEEN DECLARED GUILTY OF TREASON. SENTENCE: DEATH. The video show two rosaries, seven bullets and the phrase "Padre Solalinde" written on a sheet of paper. A heavily disguised voice orders the priest to keep his mouth shut or it will cost him his life.

Fr Solalinde is well known for his work defending migrants and refugees in Mexico. He runs several migrant shelters providing food, accommodation and medical care, as well as human rights advice and support in applying for asylum or reporting crimes. He also advocates for migrant rights and human rights throughout Mexico and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

Fr Solalinde has accused the Mexican government of corruption and of the forced disappearance of thousands of people. Following the recent discovery of hundreds of bodies in mass graves, he called the state of Veracruz "the largest cemetery in Mexico", and denounced the former governor Javier Duarte for being involved with organised crime.

The priest has previously received serious death threats because of his work in defence of migrant rights, and in 2012 he was forced into temporary exile abroad.

See the threatening message here: https://twitter.com/galio_noley/status/846212316391768066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmovimientomigrantemesoamericano.org%2F2017%2F03%2F28%2Famenazan-de-muerte-al-padresolalinde-defensor-de-los-migrantes%2F