The disappearance of Sandra Estéfana Domínguez Martínez, activist and lawyer, along with her husband Alexander Hernández, has raised great concern and criticism towards the government of Oaxaca. Both were last seen on October 4 in the community of María Lombardo, in the Mixe mountains of Oaxaca.
Sandra, known for her denunciation of gender violence and femicides, had been one of the most prominent voices in the cases related to the controversial Sierra XXX and Mega Peda chats, where public officials were involved in the objectification of women. In addition, he was instrumental in denouncing the feminicide of Fanny López Nolasco, a case that was attempted to be presented as suicide.
Despite having received threats and having filed multiple complaints with the state prosecutor’s office, the protection measures requested on five occasions were not sufficient to prevent his disappearance.
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Human rights defenders, such as Yesica Sánchez of the Consortium for Parliamentary Dialogue, have pointed out the authorities for re-victimizing Sandra and for not acting according to the protocols established in cases of disappearance. In particular, the Secretary of Government, Jesús Romero, and the coordinator of Delegates of Peace, Donato Vargas, who was also accused of threatening Sandra, have been criticized.
Sandra’s family, represented by her mother and her sisters Kenia and Aracely, have reported her disappearance to the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Oaxaca and the State Search Commission. They have also sent letters to the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the governor of Oaxaca, Salomón Jara, requesting direct help in the search.
“I appeal to your humanity and leadership to take immediate steps to strengthen the search for Sandra Estefana Domínguez Martínez. Your participation could make a significant difference and restore hope to us”wrote Kenia Domínguez Martínez in the letter addressed to Jara.
On October 11, NGOs and Sandra’s relatives held a march in Oaxaca, demanding that the authorities appear. With his disappearance, there are now three activists missing in the region, which intensifies the alarm about the safety of those who defend human rights.
EE
