14. The observations presented by the Inter-American Commission on February 1, 2013, in which it emphasized that the situation of extreme risk facing Luz Estela Castro has increased. Also, in relation to the report presented by the State, the Commission argued that: a) the State cannot conclude the non-existence of a context of human rights violations against human rights defenders in Chihuahua based on the lack of a recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission in this regard. On this point, it noted that the Human Rights Commission of the State of Chihuahua had issued fourteen recommendations during 2012, some of which were related to how defenders are being affected in this regard; b) in Chihuahua there is a climate of vilification and attacks against human rights defenders, particularly women defenders, which is reflected in their alleged mistreatment, murders and disappearances; c) with regard to the precautionary measures ordered by the Commission number: MC 147-08, the latter has transmitted to the State the briefs of the petitioners, which report: “i) the lack of implementation of a measure of protection in favor of the beneficiaries, including Luz Estela Castro Rodríguez; ii) the urgent situation due to the constant threats made against Mrs. Castro Rodríguez; iii) the State’s lack of willingness to hold discussions and meet with the beneficiaries; and iv) dissatisfaction with the deficient implementation of the measures”; d) as to the statements made by the public authorities of Chihuahua, these comments in themselves constitute a source of risk in the context described previously, and e) “given the close links existing between the human rights defenders who have been murdered, mistreated, beaten and threatened, and Luz Estela Castro Rodríguez, the Commission [considered] that she is exposed to a grave situation of risk”, and therefore reiterated the request already presented. 15. The recent situation of risk described by the Commission in its report of February 1, 2013, namely that: a) on January 20, 2013 four police officers allegedly arrested one of the leaders of the organization “El Barzón”, who was severely beaten and threatened by the police agents, and b) another leader of “El Barzón” allegedly went to the police station to request information about the detained leader, and received threats from police officers. CONSIDERING THAT: 1. Mexico ratified the American Convention on Human Rights on March 24, 1981 and, in accordance with Article 62 thereof, recognized the contentious jurisdiction of the Court on December 16, 1998. 2. Article 63(2) of the American Convention establishes that, “[i]n cases of extreme gravity and urgency, and when necessary to avoid irreparable damage to 8

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