Overview

• The SCJN’s Segunda Sala unanimously reversed a federal judge’s summary-only translation order and confirmed that the entire Ley Estatal de Acceso de las Mujeres a una Vida Libre de Violencia de Género must be rendered into Zapotec of the Valley of Oaxaca.
• SIPCIA, Semujeres and the Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Indígenas have been directed to produce complete translations and develop materials in written, audiovisual and digital formats.
• The court ruled that omitting a full-text Zapotec version violated indigenous women’s rights to information, equality and a life free of violence under Article 4 of the Constitution and international human rights treaties.
• The binding precedent could compel other states to translate key legislation for their indigenous communities across Mexico.
• The decision stems from an amparo filed by Zapoteca activist María Fernanda Hernández Morales, who challenged authorities’ failure to provide a Zapotec version to her community.