(CENCOS/IFEX) – The following is a 29 November 2007 joint statement by five IFEX members and other organizations and individuals: National and international pronouncement Lydia Cacho case The Supreme Court’s decision violates human rights and freedom of expression in Mexico In a plenary session, the Supreme Court has concluded that there is not sufficient evidence […]
(CENCOS/IFEX) – The following is a 29 November 2007 joint statement by five IFEX members and other organizations and individuals:
National and international pronouncement
Lydia Cacho case
The Supreme Court’s decision violates human rights and freedom of expression in Mexico
In a plenary session, the Supreme Court has concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to demonstrate that writer Lydia Cacho’s human rights have been gravely violated. Cacho is author of the book “Los Demonios del Edén”, in which she denounced the existence of international pedophile networks involving Mexican governors, public employees and businessmen.
The highest judicial body refused to recognize the responsibility born for serious violations to Cacho’s rights by Puebla Governor Mario Marín and other Puebla authorities, as well as by authorities of the state of Quintana Roo. Their responsibility for such violations had been established by the earlier ruling of Supreme Court Judge Silva Meza.
This decision is worrisome because it demonstrates the vulnerability of those trying to exercise freedom of expression in Mexico today. The undersigned organisations, gathered at the International Seminar: The Alerts System and Methodologies for Recording, Documenting and Following-up on Actions of Aggression against Journalists and Media Outlets” (Seminario Internacional: Sistema de Alertas y Metodologías para el Registro, Documentación y Seguimiento de Agresiones a Periodistas y Medios de Comunicación), state the following regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling:
– The State should take responsibility for guaranteeing the general conditions needed for exercising freedom of expression, which, in Lydia Cacho’s case, have been violated.
– We object to this decision, given that it provides an incentive to maintain the high incidence of impunity in the country. There is sufficient evidence demonstrating the degree of involvement by public officials from the Puebla and Quintana Roo governments in the violation of the journalist’s rights.
– We condemn the Supreme Court’s decision, which is an obstacle to achieving justice and creates an atmosphere guaranteeing impunity.
Signed:
Aleida Calleja, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (Asociación Mundial de Radios Comunitarios, AMARC)
Brisa Maya Solis, National Center for Social Communication, (Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social, CENCOS)
Carlos Cortés, Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP)
Darío Ramírez, ARTICLE 19
Carlos Lauría, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Jacinto Rodríguez Mungía, Fundación Prensa y Democracia (PRENDE)
Lucía Lagunes, Comunicación e Información de la Mujer (CIMAC)
Francisco Ezequiel, Libertad de Información – México (LIMAC)
José Buendía, Fundación Manuel Buendía
José Luis Garay, Bloque Nacional de Periodistas AA
Julián Vázquez, Consejo Ciudadano del Premio Nacional de Periodismo
Erendira Cruzvillegas, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Mexico, D.F.
Daniel Rosas, “El Mañana”, Nuevo Laredo
Martín Serrano, “Diario Tribuna”, Veracruz
