Mexico sees rise in attacks on civil rights activists

Mexico's National Human Rights Commission is denouncing a rise in attacks on activists who defend people's rights in the country.

In a recommendation to all levels of government Monday, the commission says the number of complaints rose to 56 in 2015 from 18 in 2006. It says the acts range from threats and robberies to murders and disappearances for activists only doing their work.

It added that Chihuahua (9), Guerrero (6) and Oaxaca (4) are the states where more activists were murdered between January 2010 and December 2015.

The commission worries that many of the incidents are attributed to public officials for acts of either omission or commission. It also says a lack of good record-keeping makes it difficult to identify the precise number of crimes tied to victims' work.

It urged government officials to protect civil rights defenders, highlighting those working on behalf of children, women, indigenous peoples and immigrants.