The National Human Rights Prize Don Sergio Méndez Arceo is a collective effort to protect, support, and raise the visibility of important human rights work being done in Mexico. This year the individual prize was awarded to Blanca Isabel Martínez Bustos, for her work with families of disappeared people, children, and indigenous populations seeking self-determination. The collective award was awarded to Colectivo de Saneamiento y Restauración de la Malintzi Tlacualpan, for their work protecting their ancestral lands from illegal logging, pests, and discriminatory development programs.
El Premio Nacional de Derechos Humanos Don Sergio Méndez Arceo es un esfuerzo colectivo para proteger, apoyar y visibilizar trabajo importante en materia de derechos humanos en México. Este año el premio individual se le otorgó a Blanca Isabel Martínez Bustos por su trabajo con familias de desaparecidos, niñxs y pueblos originarios buscando su autodeterminación. El premio colectivo se le otorgó al Colectivo de Saneamiento y Restauración de la Malintzi Tlacualpan por su labor de protexxion de sus tierras ancestrales de tala ilegal, plagas y proyectos desarrollistas discriminatorios.
2024 Individual Winner
Blanca Isabel Martínez Bustos
Introducing Blanca Isabel Martínez Bustos, the winner of the 2024 Fundación Don Sergio Méndez Arceo individual Human Rights Award. With determination and consistency, Blanca has been a beacon of hope for those who fight for their rights. Her commitment to the defense of Human Rights is reflected in every action, in every alliance forged, and in every voice she raises on behalf of the most vulnerable. From the fight against violence to accompanying communities toward their autonomy, her work is an example of resistance and perseverance. Let’s continue together, building a more just and humane world!
Comenzamos con la presentación de candidatxs individuales, compartiéndoles a Blanca Isabel Martínez Bustos, la ganadora del premio individual 2024. Con determinación y congruencia, Blanca ha sido un faro de esperanza para quienes luchan por sus derechos. Su compromiso con la defensa de los Derechos Humanos se refleja en cada acción, en cada alianza forjada y en cada voz que levanta en nombre de los más vulnerables. Desde la lucha contra la violencia hasta el acompañamiento de comunidades hacia su autonomía, su labor es un ejemplo de resistencia y perseverancia. ¡Sigamos juntxs, construyendo un mundo más justo y humano!
2024 Candidates
Jose Ugalde Mejía is spokesperson for the organization Desaparecidos Justicia AC in Querétaro. He is dedicated to accompanying families of disappeared people, as well as people in vulnerable social situations such as young people, single mothers, migrants, and homeless people. He fights for justice and peace through popular education, grassroots work, the defense of human rights and advocacy on public policies.
René Jaques Mey presides over the Mexican and international René Mey Foundation, which is recognized by the OAS and receives special consultative status before the UN. More than 500 instructors, 65 thousand volunteers in 68 countries collaborate with it, and it partners with 100 Civil Associations. He collaborated with local authorities to reduce violence in Metepec, State of Mexico and worked on the Transitional Justice proposal for the defense of indigenous peoples in Mexico.
Dr José Arenas Galvez legally defends people who do not have the resources to hire a lawyer. The majority of the population he serves are groups of merchants, elderly adults and people belonging to indigenous communities. He defends vulnerable people from improper charges for services, illegal price increases and other arbitrariness by officials.
Victor Hugo Pachecho Gallardo organizes fairs, events and educational sessions to promote human rights. He created a workshop for change agents that includes a training module on human rights as well as a review of the connections between human rights and the axes of the UN 2030 Agenda. Despite a kidnapping, an apparent intimidation due to his advocacy work, he continues to promote human rights.
Maria Guadalupe de Jesus fights for human rights by exposing and sharing knowledge through conferences, workshops and exhibitions on the topic of human rights. She promotes knowledge that promotes human rights in health, environment, education, equality, justice, and peacebuilding. She hosts a digital TV program called “Peace Construction.” She also appeals for changes in public policies.