People Profile: Straight Shooter Dario Ramirez

Back in Mexico, Ramírez helped draft the Mexican Government’s first Human Rights Program at the Ministry of the Interior. Although most of his work has been dismantled, he was proud that the program received international praise.
Like most committed humanitarians, Ramírez is full of contradictions; he’s cynical, skeptical, hopeful and optimistic in equal parts. He will need to draw on all those qualities along the road ahead. With violence against journalists in Mexico at an all-time high, and the right to freedom of expression in what he calls “grave danger” as the transition to democracy continues, Ramírez’s work at Article19 – where he has been for two years – is vital, and often frustrating.
What has he achieved since joining the organization? “Nothing, really. Nothing,” he says as he laughs sheepishly and runs his hands through his short, brown hair.
That’s unfair. Article19 is now the reference point for issues regarding freedom of expression in the country and an important voice challenging repression, censorship and corruption in Mexican political and social life. A belligerent cynic like Ramírez is just what the organization needs.
This profile appeared in the November 2007 issue of InsideMexico, available here. The photo is the journalist’s own.

See here for MexicoReporter.com’s interview with Ramirez.