Mexico

American Center for International Labor Solidarity (SC)
$650,000
To promote independent, democratic trade unions in Mexico, the Solidarity Center will continue to build the organizing capacity of unions in the communications industry. The Solidarity Center will also support independent union organizing in the mining, metal and auto parts industries while assisting unions to develop capacity for democratic decision-making through internal organizing and collective bargaining. Finally, the Solidarity Center will support efforts to strengthen rule of law through the use of both domestic and international mechanisms to defend worker rights.

Campaña Global por la Libertad de Expresión A19 A.C.
$35,180
To strengthen the effective investigation of freedom of expression violations in order to reduce impunity; and to advance jurisprudence that protects freedom of expression in Mexico in order to ensure compliance with international standards. Article 19 Mexico will litigate six national and two international cases on freedom of expression violations. It will also seek to establish greater collaboration between public sector and private sector attorneys involved in the litigation of human rights cases.

Centro de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres A.C. (CEDEHM)
$30,000
To promote access to justice for women who have been victims of violence in Chihuahua. CEDEHM will document the obstacles for women who have been victims of violence to use the legal system, and will use its findings to promote judicial reform. Additionally, CEDEHM will provide training for authorities involved in processing these cases, and will provide free legal information and representation for victims.

Centro de Derechos Humanos y Asesoría a Pueblos Indígenas A.C. (CEDHAPI)
$45,000
To strengthen the capacity of Oaxacan human rights defenders, including attorneys, indigenous leaders, community leaders and journalists, and to promote new legal strategies to protect human rights in Oaxaca. CEDHAPI will continue to directly litigate strategic human rights cases in Oaxaca. Additionally, CEDHAPI will produce an assessment of the human rights situation in Oaxaca and will create a network of human rights defenders to allow for exchange of best practices.

Centro de Periodismo y Ética Pública (CEPET)
$34,800
To promote and defend journalists’ freedom of expression and to raise awareness about violations of freedom of expression in Mexico. Based on a system to monitor and issue alerts about freedom of expression violations across Mexico, CEPET will publish an annual report about the state of freedom of expression in Mexico. Additionally, CEPET will investigate and draft a report on journalists’ use of self-censorship as a strategy for protection.

Centro Regional de Defensa de Derechos Humanos “José Ma. Morelos y Pavón» A.C.
$45,000
To promote citizen participation among marginalized indigenous groups and to strengthen mechanisms for accountability and human rights protection in Guerrero. Centro Morelos will conduct training in two municipalities on civil and political rights and participation, among others, with a particular focus on the January 2011 gubernatorial election. This year, Centro Morelos will also strengthen the Network of Human Rights Organizations in Guerrero through direct support to the technical secretary.

Ciudadanos en Medios, Democracia e Información, A.C.
$31,700
To strengthen objectivity and accountability in Mexico’s major media outlets and to promote public debate on journalistic coverage of fundamental political issues in Mexico. Ciudadanos en Medios will monitor television and print media in Mexico to evaluate the degree to which they objectively cover political issues and potential presidential candidates. Ciudadanos en Medios and civil society partners will use the results of its analysis to promote objective media coverage in Mexico.

International Republican Institute (IRI)
$709,417
To improve state and municipal government responsiveness and service based on citizen needs and priorities; to strengthen citizen-government alliances on issues of public concern; and to expand the number of democratic governance best practices across municipalities and states. IRI will work with elected officials and civil society organizations from three state governments and six municipal governments to respond to constituent needs.

The grant listings posted here are from tthe 2010 Annual Report, published in August 2011.