The President of Mexico's National Human Rights Commission, Luis Raúl González Pérez, that the respect and defense of the human rights of indigenous peoples in Mexico is nowhere near an acceptable level.

During a speech at an event for the 2016 National Human Rights Award, which was awarded posthumously to Rodolfo Stavenhagen, González Pérez said that indigenous communities and towns face certain factors of inequality that bar them from fully enjoying their human rights.

“Discrimination, exclusion, poverty, inequality and a lack of real and effective access to justice continue to be factors that make up the complex reality that members of our towns and communities face on an every day basis,” said González Pérez during the event that was held at Los Pinos, the official residence and office of the President of Mexico.

This year, the National Human Rights Award was given posthumously to the activist and human rights defender, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, a German who arrived in Mexico in 1940 and who went on to become the UN's Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Stavenhagen worked closely with many NGO's that fought for the rights of the indigenous and actively participated in drafting of the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

President Enrique Peña Nieto award the medal and diploma to Elia del Carmen Gutiérrez Ortiz, Stavenhagen's widow, who commemorated her partner's work in founding the Mexican Academy of Human Rights.

During the event, Sharon Zaga Morabi, founder of the Museum of Memory and Tolerance, received an honorable mention for her work and commitment ot teaching and spreading a culture of tolerance and respect for human rights.

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