Tessie Borden
Republic Mexico City Bureau
Aug. 24, 2003 12:00 AM
MEXICO CITY - Human rights advocates fear all the ground Mexico gained in human
rights protection in the past three years has been lost in a matter of weeks.
First, an investigation into the 2001 murder of Digna Ochoa, a human rights
attorney, concluded on July 19 that the fiery activist faked a crime scene in
her office, then shot and killed herself. Activists and Ochoa's family protested
the findings.
"Rather than thoroughly address the concerns of Amnesty International
and other human rights groups throughout the Americas, the Mexican government
has chosen to sully Digna Ochoa's reputation and memory," said Eric Olson
of Amnesty International, who complained that Mexican prosecutors often blame
the victim and allow real criminals to go free. "Because officials apparently
ignored the deficiencies in the Ochoa investigation, we must question whether
they have left in their wake confusion and impunity rather than justice and
clarification."
Then on Aug. 6, Griselda Tirado Evangelio, a human rights attorney who worked
with indigenous groups, was ambushed and shot outside her home in the town of
Huehuetla in the highlands of central Mexico. Investigators took two days to
arrive on the scene to gather evidence. 'Irregularities' in probe
"In spite of the outcry by various organizations and sectors of society
in demanding quick and impartial action by the authorities to shed light on
the death of Griselda Tirado, there have been irregularities in the investigation,"
said a release from the Chiapas-based Fray Bartolome de las Casas Center for
Human Rights. "It's relevant to mention that this type of irregularities
in the criminal investigative process was also evident in the case of Digna
Ochoa."
Then on Aug. 11, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez announced an
administrative shuffle in his department that effectively got rid of the special
ambassador for human rights, a position President Vicente Fox created to much
fanfare when he took office three years ago. The post had been held by Mariclaire
Acosta, a well-respected, longtime human rights activist.
"The decision to eliminate Acosta's position not only casts doubt about
Fox's commitment to real reform but is a serious step backwards for his administration
on human rights issues," said Laurie Freeman, of the Office on Latin America,
a Washington-based advocacy group. "President Fox had institutionalized
the prioritization of human rights within the Foreign Ministry. In one day it
was swept away."
Mexico had won praise in the past three years for what many saw as proactive
steps in moving toward greater respect of human rights, including becoming a
signatory to several international human rights accords.
The United Nations High Commission on Human Rights even opened an office in
Mexico, a sign of its confidence in Mexico's progress.
Mexico also ratified the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights, which meant
it agreed to abide by the decisions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights,
an agency of the Organization of American States.
Mexico has appealed to that body on behalf of Mexicans on death row in the
United States and of migrants in the United States. The United States has not
ratified the Inter-American Convention.
But now it appears that Mexico's commitment to human rights is at least in
danger, if it does not prove to be a complete mirage, said Ignacio Saiz of Amnesty
International.
"It all calls into question how well the Mexican government will be able
to continue along this path and still remain committed to human rights,"
Saiz said. Special concern
Tirado's murder has been of special concern, Saiz said. Tirado had helped to
establish the Independent Totonaca Organization, an indigenous rights group
that has mostly been involved in land disputes. Fray Bartolome officials also
pointed out that, prior to Tirado's death, another member of the organization
had been murdered with an ax in April.
Saiz said Amnesty International called a special "action," in which
members are urged to write letters to government officials, on behalf of Tirado's
family because they have received what they believe are threats on their lives.
On Aug. 10, a group of people tried to gain access to Tirado's home. No one
was hurt in the ordeal.
Saiz also said the news about Mariclaire Acosta's firing came on the same day
that Irene Kahn, Amnesty International's secretary-general, met with Fox. During
that meeting, he pledged continued support for human rights.
"It's ironic," Saiz said, "that the news about Mariclaire's removal
came on same day of Irene Kahn's visit. In one day he, was talking about his
commitment to human rights and hours later he was doing this."
Reach the reporter at tessie.borden@arizonarepublic.com .
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