Beatríz Alberta (Bety) Cariño Trujillo, of Mixtec origin, was a defender of the rights of women and indigenous peoples. She worked as coordinator of the Centro de Apoyo Comunitario Trabajando Unidos (CACTUS), a community organization in Oaxaca, Mexico. Through this organization, she supported indigenous communities on issues of solidarity-based economy, women's rights, education for indigenous peoples' autonomy, and communication through community radio.
Last year, the NHRF made a video about CDH Bety Cariño in Mexico, that work to defend their land and lives against the negative consequences of extractive industries:
Feil: Ukjent youtube URL:
On April 27th 2010, Bety Cariño was killed by paramilitaries who attacked the humanitarian and peaceful caravan in which she was participating. The intention was to document human rights violations and provide humanitarian aid to the indigenous autonomous community of San Juan Copala, which was occupied by paramilitaries at the time. Ten years after her murder, the crime remains unpunished, although the perpetrators have been identified. The human rights activist Jyri Jaakkola, from Finland, was also murdered during the attack.
One of NHRF's partners carries her name, the Bety Cariño Human Rights Center (CHD Bety Cariño). To commemorate 10 years of her absence, virtual tributes and activities were held and it was remembered that after her death she was "sown", so her legacy still remains.
Watch the tribute video for Bety Cariño here:
Feil: Ukjent youtube URL:
Listen to the podcast about Bety Cariño's life and work (only in Spanish):