MEXICO DIGNA OCHOA
MURDER
October 23, 2001
On October 19, human
rights attorney, Digna Ochoa y Plácido was shot to death in her Mexico City
office. Human Rights First deeply regrets and
unequivocally condemns her murder and the threat against her former colleagues
at the Centro de Derechos Humanos
Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez (PRODH), a Mexican human rights organisation,
left in a note at the scene of the crime. Yesterday, Human Rights First wrote
to the Mexican President, Vicente Fox, urging his immediate action to ensure a
full and independent investigation of this crime, and the prosecution and
punishment of those responsible.
For over five years, Human Rights First and other organisations have been expressing serious concern
about threats levelled against Digna Ochoa, the PRODH and other human rights
activists in Mexico. We have
repeatedly called for a serious investigation of the numerous threats and
attacks since 1995. In 1999, with
the Center for Justice and International Law, we successfully petitioned the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for an order from the Inter-American
Court directed at the Mexican government, demanding the protection of Digna
Ochoa and three of her PRODH colleagues.
Human Rights First Urges Full
Investigation Into Murder of Prominent Mexican Human Rights Lawyer
Recommended Action
We
ask that you take actions you deem appropriate to bring this matter to
the attention of the Mexican authorities, reminding them of the pressing need
for justice in this case, for an end to impunity for such crimes, and for the
protection of everyone working in Mexico to promote human rights. This is a test for the new Mexican
government and the criminal justice system, which have been thus far
ineffective in protecting the rights of human rights defenders. A prompt and thorough investigation of
Digna’s murder is crucial to generate confidence in the Mexican people about
the effectiveness of their law enforcement system. A fair and independent trial of those
responsible for the murder is similarly important to demonstrate the capacity
of the judicial system to bring all persons who commit crimes to justice, no
matter their current or former position.
Please write respectfully
worded letters to President Fox and other Mexican officials, as well as to
authorities in the United States, or in your own country. Alternatively, by using the
appropriate links on our website, you may send a pre-drafted letter to
President Fox electronically.
Should you require more
information, please contact Jeff Clark on 212 845 5254.
Please send your letters
to:
His
Excellency
Lic.
Vicente Fox Quesada,
President
of the Republic
Palacio
Nacional
México
D.F.
C.P.
06067
México
Rafael Macedo de la
Concha
Procuraduría General de la
República
Avenida Reforma, esq.
Violeta
México
D.F.
México
Bernardo
Bátiz Vázquez
Procurador
General de Justicia del D.F.
Gabriel
Hernández #56, 5 piso,
Col.
Doctores
C.P.
06720 México D.F.
México
Please send copies of your
letters to the Mexican ambassador and to your diplomatic representative in
Mexico. For citizens of the
United States these individuals are:
Juan
Jose Bremer
Ambassador
of Mexico
Embassy
of Mexico to the United States of America
1911
Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington,
DC 20008
Jeffrey
Davidow
Ambassador
of the United States
American
Embassy Mexico
Paseo
de la Reforma 305
Col.
Cuauhtémoc
06500
México D.F.
México
For further information on
Digna Ochoa’s life and work visit www.speaktruth.org, where there is a biographical
profile and other information.
