Franciscans International has been made aware of the allegations against Brother Tomás González Castillo, founder and former coordinator of the migrant shelter La 72, in Tenosique, Mexico, concerning abuse, harassment, and physical and psychological violence. These allegations were published on 27 March by a former female volunteer of the shelter, who received support on 29 March in a letter from other former volunteers.
The shelter is one of the institutions that FI has been working with on the issue of human rights of migrants in the region. FI takes these allegations seriously and is therefore monitoring the situation.
As a human rights organization, we want the right of victims of human rights violations to an effective remedy to be guaranteed, in particular in cases of gender-based violence. This includes first the right to an independent, impartial, and appropriate investigation.
