Dialogues with Civil Society featuring our Shelter City Guest Diana

On Friday, November 16th, 2018, Nalacs and CEDLA: Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation are organising the 5th edition of the ‘Dialogues with Civil Society’ series.

This time we will receive Mexican human rights defender Diana Gutiérrez, with an introduction by Mexican activist-researcher Fernando Hernandez. The session will be moderated by Rosanne Tromp.

ABOUT THE DIALOGUES
Future Mexican president Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrado (AMLO) has already made a lot of promises in the area of human rights for his upcoming turn. However, how much do Mexican human rights defenders believe of those promises? Diana Gutiérrez is a Mexican human rights defender who unites families of disappeared people to seek justice. She will discuss her work in the context of AMLO’s promises. The afternoon will be introduced by the Mexican activist-researcher and co-founder of human rights collective SMX Fernando Hernandez.

ABOUT DIANA
Diana  is a human rights defender from Mexico who focuses on the issue of disappearances. In 2017 she co-founded a collective. This organisation works alongside civil organisations and families to help track their missing loved ones. This can involve searching media dissemination (press, internet television), extensive research, checking hospitals, asylums and shelters while coordinating with the Institute of Forensic Sciences (Incifo) and Forensic Medical Service (Semefo). Searches can require travelling to different provinces in Mexico and the organisation frequently becomes a family’s first point of contact in the event of a disappearance, as police responses are notoriously slow. In addition the organisation provides workshops, seminars and conferences to help educate the public and has also contributed to the alternative report to the Committee against Forced Disappearances (CED) of the United Nations. During her stay at Peace Brigades International – The Netherlands, Diana hopes to acquire new tools and knowledge applicable to her pursuit of strengthening human rights in Mexico. Furthermore she wishes to expand her contact networks so she may be exposed to new ideas, projects and perspectives.

DATE
Friday, November 16th, 2018, 15.30-18:00 hrs

PROGRAM
15:30 hrs – Introduction by Fernando Hernandez
15:45 hrs – Presentation by Diana  followed by a discussion
17:00 hrs – Drinks and snacks
18:00 hrs – End

VENUE
CEDLA: Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation, Roeterstraat 33, Amsterdam, Lecture room 2,02 (second floor).

LANGUAGE
The event will be in Spanish.

REGISTRATION
Admission is free. Please do confirm your attendance with an e-mail to

DateFriday November 16th 2018
Time16:00 - 18:30
LocationCedla Room 2.02 (2nd floor), Roetersstraat 33 Amsterdam (→ GoogleMaps)
EntranceFree
SpeakersDiana Gutiérrez (Shelter City Guest)