Mexico City – On October 4, 2011, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne met with the President of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Raul Plascencia, to express support for the Commission’s efforts at defending human rights in Mexico.

"The United States is committed to supporting those who work to advance human rights in Mexico. In the spirit of partnership, we have regular dialogue about issues related to human rights, and we collaborate with the Government of Mexico by providing Merida Initiative funds to support training for police and soldiers whose daily mission includes the protection of human rights," Ambassador Wayne said.

The Ambassador and CNDH President Plascencia discussed the partnership between CNDH and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) focused on gathering information about threats and attacks against journalists.

USAID is also working with Freedom House to focus on protection, prevention, and advocacy on behalf of journalists and human rights defenders, and with Segob, CNDH, and civil society to support security protection and training measures for journalists at risk.

Ambassador Wayne noted State Department programs that support journalists’ professional development, including techniques for staying safe while reporting in high threat environments. "Cobertura Segura," run by the University of Guadalajara’s Digital Journalism Center, has trained 120 reporters from across Mexico on professional techniques for covering high-risk stories while remaining safe.

The State Department is similarly supporting CENCOS (Centro Nacional de Communicacion Social) and other journalist organizations such as Periodistas de Pie and Prensa y Democracia (PRENDE) in developing online courses and classroom seminars for investigative journalists from throughout Mexico and Central America to expand journalists' skills in using digital media tools and to protect themselves.