Invitation to a press conference: Puebla entrepreneurs threaten labor rights defenders

Attention head of information, reporters from human rights sources, civil organizations, and correspondent:
On August 1, 2011, President of the National Chamber of Industry (Canacintra), Luis Espinosa Rueda, was described as “a danger to Puebla” to the Centro de Atención al Trabajador (CAT) and to his director, Blanca Velázquez.

Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT) is a human rights organization dedicated to training, counseling and advocacy for workers in Puebla and Tlaxcala.

In the last two years, members of CAT have been subjected to threats and attacks and their offices have been raided. The National Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures for their protection.

Government actions and lack of political will are still inadequate to protect those who defend human rights, especially those who defend workers rights. They are threatened by both government and business actors.

Participants:
Blanca Velázquez, The Worker Support Centre (CAT)
Alejandra Ancheita, Project on Economic, Social and Cultural AC (ProDESC)
Manuel Padron, The Center for Labor Reflection and Action (CEREAL)
Jose Rosario Marroquin, Human Rights Center Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez (Centro PRODH)
Andrea Medina, The Network of Human Rights Defenders
Graciela Martinez, Peace Brigades International-Mexico
Agnieszka Raczynska, The National Network of Civil Human Rights Organizations ¨ All rights for everyone ¨ and its 72 member organizations.

Summon:
The Workers’ Support Centre (CAT)
The Project on Economic, Social and Cultural AC (ProDESC)
The Center for Labor Reflection and Action (CEREAL)
The Human Rights Center Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez (Centro PRODH)
The Network of Human Rights Defenders
The National Network of Civil Human Rights Organizations ¨ All rights for everyone ¨ and its 72 member organizations.
Peace Brigades International-Mexico

When and Where: Thursday August 4, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Center Agustin Pro Human Rights Center (PRODH), located at 57B Rendón, Colonia San Rafael, three blocks from the Metro San Cosme and two blocks from the metro bus station Plaza de la Republica.

For more information contact:
Valeria Scorza (ProDESC)
Phone: +52 (55) 552122230 o Cel: 5539897463
valeria@prodesc.org.mx

Quetzalcoatl g. Fontanot
Área de comunicación y análisis del Centro Prodh
Phone: +52 (55) 5546 8217, ext. 110; 5546 6559 (directo);
Cell: 55 4499 4536 comunicacion@centroprodh.org.mx