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The United Nations Information Center (UNIC); the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico (OHCHR); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico (EU); the French Embassy in Mexico; the Swiss Embassy in Mexico; the Press and Democracy Program of the Ibero-American University and its Journalism Department; the Agency France-Presse (AFP); and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have launched the seventh edition of the Breach/Valdez Award for Journalism and Human Rights, in tribute to distinguished Mexican journalists Miroslava Breach and Javier Valdez, who were murdered in 2017.

The prizes include a monetary award sponsored by the European Union; a one-year dual scholarship at the Ibero-American University, Santa Fe campus; and a work trip to Europe (France and Switzerland), sponsored by the embassies of these countries, for the winner in the human rights category. For the winner in the category of children’s and/or adolescents' rights, the prize includes a trip to a UNICEF work destination. These trips aim to facilitate meetings that spread knowledge about the situation of journalists in Mexico and foster networks.

Freedom of expression and speech, and access to information rights are fundamental pillars of free, democratic, and plural societies. They are also essential for ensuring full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalism, according to UNESCO’s . Journalists in Mexico often face a range of risks, including discredit campaigns, threats, displacement, surveillance, forced disappearances, and murder.

According to the , globally monitored cases of resolved journalist killings took an average of four years. While progress, most journalist murder cases remain unresolved, and those take far too long to conclude and arrive at the resolved stage.

The Breach/Valdez Award highlights the importance of journalism in democratic societies. It underscores the obligation of states to protect journalists, prevent killings such as those of Miroslava Breach (March 23, 2017) and Javier Valdez (May 15, 2017), and ensure access to justice for those who face reprisals for their work.

The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity is a key tool for emphasizing the importance of adequately investigating threats and attacks against journalists. Impunity fosters the recurrence of crimes and has a chilling effect on society, including journalists, deteriorating the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, which are fundamental to democracy.

The organizing entities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting journalists, organizations that defend freedom of expression, and the Mexican government in strengthening institutions to fulfil international obligations and protect journalists.

The organizations invite journalists to participate in the award and follow its updates on its and X account (formerly Twitter): @BreachValdez. The registry is open from January 8 to February 19, 2025 (until 11:59 PM Mexico City time).