Certainly there will be no lack of governmental references to International Women's Day; however, beyond the statements it should be noted that there is no commitment to the rights of women in the Mexican state. Within the country, exclusion, discrimination and aggression remain to be a constant problem against them. Such affirmation arises from the participation of the Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez Human Rights Center (Center Prodh) in the accompanying, denounce and defense of two cases that demonstrate the mentioned above: the lack of commitment to enforce the rights of women complaining of sexual torture committed in the frame of the Atenco Operative on 3-4 May 2006 and the unjust sentence against the Prisoners of Conscience Alberta Alcántara and Teresa Gonzalez, accused of a crime that never existed.

Click here to access press release

Center Prodh has published its annual report, entitled A society at risk: violence and impunity, the twin faces of Mexico.

The report, presented on March 3rd, addresses the state of human rights in Mexico. It covers the cases and issues raised by Center Prodh during the last two years. Subjects covered include: discrimination against indigenous women in the criminal justice system; lack of civilian control over the military; the importance of the UN and inter-American systems in requiring Mexico to comply with its human rights obligations; economic, social and cultural rights violations - in particular housing policies and forced evictions caused by the implementation of development projects - and State actions against those who defend and promote human rights.

Click to access Index and Introduction of the report (English)

Click to access Executive Summary (currently only in Spanish)

Click to download complete report in PDF (5MB - only in Spanish)

On March 2nd the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), based in Geneva, issued a press release in which it expressed its deep concern for the sentence imposed on Alberta Alcántara Juan and Teresa González Cornelio by a federal judge in the state of Querétaro. The OMCT calls on the Mexican authorities to guarantee both women an independent, competent, fair and impartial process. In recent days the defense was assumed by Center Prodh.

PRESS RELEASE

(translated by Center Prodh)

Geneva, March 2, 2010 - The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) expresses its deep concern after the sentence against Mrs. Alberta Alcántara Juan and Mrs. Teresa González Cornelio, indigenous women from the hñahnú community and co-defendants charged with the same crime as Mrs. Jacinta Francisco Marcial, issued on February 19, 2010 by the fourth district judge in the State of Queretaro, who sentenced the women to 21 years in prison on charges of kidnapping. On February 24 2010 both women formally filed an appeal against this sentence.