Demand Justice for the Women of Atenco
In May 2006, over 45 women were arrested without explanation in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico. Many were subjected to physical, psychological and sexual violence by the police officers who arrested them and then held in prison for days before being released on bail.
More than four years have passed and they are still waiting for justice. None of the officials responsible for their abuse have been adequately held accountable.
The Mexican Supreme Court has already affirmed that human rights violations occurred at San Salvador Atenco. Before concluding that it did not have jurisdiction in the case, the Special Prosecutor for Crimes Against Women and Human Trafficking (FEVIMTRA) identified 34 members of the state security forces as suspects in the crimes. The investigation is now in the hands of Mexico State authorities.
Call on the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, to see to it that those responsible for the crimes against the women of Atenco are brought to justice and that adequate reparations are provided to survivors and their families.
Dear President Felipe Calderon,
I must express my deep concern about the torture and sexual assault of Barbara Italia Mendez and other women during their detention on 3 and 4 May 2006 in San Salvador Atenco. More than three years have passed, yet no one has been held accountable for these horrendous crimes.
I know that the Special Prosecutor for Crimes of Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking (FEMVITRA) recently decided it does not have jurisdiction in the case of the women assaulted by police officers in San Salvador Atenco in 2006, despite having identified 34 members of the state security forces as suspects in the crimes.
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The investigation is once again in the hands of authorities under your responsibility, and I urge you to ensure that justice is done in this case. Please take advantage of the documentation on sexual torture collected by FEVIMTRA. In light of the Mexican Supreme Court's resolution declaring that human rights violations occurred at San Salvador Atenco in May 2006, I call on you to ensure that full reparations are made to Barbara Italia Mendez and all the victims.
