The Dissident LGBTQI+ Assembly of San Cristóbal de Las Casas expressed its outrage and called for the release of Mel 'N', a young transgender backpacker detained in an operation at a piercing and tattoo shop in the city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, on November 6. According to the organization, Mel was passing through the state doing volunteer work in the country and was not related to the establishment or any illicit activities.
In a statement, the organization denounced that Mel was detained in an "arbitrary and violent" manner and linked to the legal process irregularly. It was reported that during the detention, Mel suffered brutal blows that caused internal injuries which, until now, have not received medical attention.
The Dissident LGBTQI+ Assembly claimed that the authorities criminalized Mel for his gender identity and exposed him to acts of torture. In their statement, they demanded the immediate release of Mel, clarification of the facts, and urgent medical attention for him.
Additionally, activists demanded that San Cristóbal de Las Casas be a space free of "abuse of authority," rejecting any act that undermines the integrity of any person. They condemned transphobic and violent behavior, stating that a town that guarantees the torture of its visitors cannot be considered "magical."
