Mexico: Police Sexually Assault Natalie and Michelle Hoyos López During Wrongful Detention
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.
WPF is appalled by the recent events in Torreón, Mexico, where journalist Camelia Muñoz faced egregious attacks while performing her duties.
WPF unequivocally stands in solidarity with esteemed journalist Laura Brugés following her sudden termination from Radio Formula.
WPF strongly condemns the arrest of five women journalists in Zacatecas and the physical assault of at least three others in various regions of Mexico while covering International Women's Day marches.
WPF strongly condemns Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, for justifying his decision to disclose the phone number of Natalie Kittroef, the New York Times Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, by asserting that the legal prohibition on officials sharing personal information does not apply to him.
CFWIJ and WPF is deeply concerned about the recent government data breach in Mexico, which has exposed the personal information of hundreds of journalists.
CFWIJ and WPF condemns the recent judicial verdict exonerating the lone defendant in the Pegasus Spyware case involving the esteemed journalist Carmen Aristegui.
WPF 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.
CFWIJ and WPF stands in unwavering solidarity with Cinthya Alvarado Enríquez, an independent journalist bravely undertaking a hunger strike in response to the delayed reparation of damages she suffered.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the online smear campaign targeting journalist Reyna Haydee Ramírez.
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Journalist Sandy Guadalupe González Rodríguez, a reporter for Canal 5TV, received threatening messages from Mayela Sánchez Román, assistant to deputy Luis Humberto Aldana Navarro, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.
Rosario Martínez De la Vega, a correspondent for Los Angeles Press in Guanajuato, was intimidated by an alleged police agent.
Following Claudia Isela Hernández Pérez’ live broadcast reporting on the murder of businesswoman Angela Louise Birkenbach, the journalist was sent several threats by a fake online profile.
Estrella Pedroza, a Mexican journalist and regular contributor to the progressive daily La Jornada, was assaulted by approximately ten police officers.
Former Tamaulipas Governor, Francisco Cabeza de Vaca, issued legal threats against journalist Martha Olivia López following her publication on the discovery of human remains in clandestine graves on his property.
Governor and Secretary of Government in Oaxaca attacks journalist María Nivón Molano at a press conference, accusing her of lying after reporting on the escalating violence in the state.
Journalist María Luisa Estrada Hernández escapes an assassination attempt in Guadalajara after authorities refuse to protect her.
Investigative journalist María Teresa Montaño Delgado was kidnapped and threatened due to her exposé of corruption allegations involving the misappropriation of millions of taxpayer funds by the State of Mexico (Edomex).
Yessenia Mollinedo Falconi and Sheila Johana García Olivera, the director and a reporter of online news portal El Veraz, respectively, were shot dead outside a convenience store in broad daylight.
Television host Michelle Perez Tadeo was found dead in Mexico City on February 22, 2002.
Journalist Lourdes Maldonado López was shot by unidentified assailants while she was in her car.
Beatriz Flores, founding editor of Presencia Hidalguense, faced a deadly attack in the early hours of November 10 by unidentified gunmen.
Teresa Montaño, a prominent collaborator for Proceso and the Heraldo De México, was briefly abducted, followed by robbery at her residence. Reportedly, the journalist hired a taxi to travel from Juarez to Lerdo on Friday afternoon.
Azucena Uresti, a broadcast journalist associated with the Radio Formula and Multimedios, was threatened in a video message from a drug cartel group. She is one the best-known TV hosts, who presents Milenio TV's nightly news program. Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) threatened other media outlets that cover the Michoacan region, where the cartel often disputes and engages with other armed groups. In the video message, Azucena Uresti was named and threatened directly.
Ginger Gloom, a reporter for Codigos also a lawyer, received death threats over her coverage about the candidate for federal deputation in Guanajuato, Ricardo Gómez Escalante and his campaign team. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is extremely concerned about Ginger’s safety. These devastating threats often lead to physical violence or beyond. We urge Mexican authorities to take immediate action to ensure the journalist’s and her family’s safety.
On May 19, Marina Rodríguez, a correspondent for De Política y algo Más, received death threats over social media for her journalistic activities. Marina wrote a detailed post on her Facebook page addressing the grave threats. In fear for her life, the journalist has demanded full-time protection from the authorities.
Investigative journalist and founder of a news website, “Yo Rechazo la Corrupción y la Impunidad”, Dianeth Perez Arreola was intimidated by state authorities for reporting on the alleged corruption of a political figure, Natalia Rivera. Dianeth was communicated to take down important revelations from her website or she could be arrested. The journalist received three letters dated March 23 and April 19 from Special prosecutor's offices in Baja California state and Sonora state. CFWIJ is damaged by the unjustified use of power by state authorities to protect the alleged corruption of a political candidate. We demand special prosecutor offices in Baja California and Sonora to revoke these letters and stop interfering in Dianeth’s journalistic work. CFWIJ stands in solidarity with the journalist and offers her full support.
Correspondent for Multimedios Television, Vianca Maleny Trevino Nevejar, was assaulted by police and detained in the early morning on Friday, April 9. The journalist was tightly grabbed by the wrist as police put her in the van. They took her phone and wristwatch and kept pressing her to reveal her password. The journalist was on assignment for covering an assault incident at a beverage store with her cameraman, Raul Zuniga when she was confronted by the police. When police saw Vianca reporting on the spot, they immediately cordoned off the area. Police officers accused Vianca of disrespecting the space, crossing the yellow tape and taking pictures. We stand in solidarity with the journalist and urge the law enforcement authorities of Mexico City to conduct a thorough investigation and hold the police officials accountable.
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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