Two court hearings in Mexico on 22 April, held by the State Commission for Human Rights and the Public Ministry, heard new evidence supporting the case of two men who were imprisoned and forcibly expelled from their village in Hidalgo State in March 2015 because of their religious beliefs.
Casto Hernández Hernández, aged 30, and his cousin Juan Placido Hernández Hernández, aged 25, both members of the United Pentecostal Church of Mexico, were imprisoned by village officials on 12 March. While imprisoned, they were put under pressure to renounce their faith. When they refused to do so after 30 hours, they were released and told they had 18 hours to leave the community. Since then, Juan Placido has been allowed to return to the village, but Casto has not and is living in another city.
New evidence was presented, including a photograph showing the two men in detention and a 40-minute video of the assembly at which Casto was pressured to renounce his faith.
