Mexican WHRDs Condemn Attempted Murder Of Norma Andrade, President Of Organization “Nuestras Hijas De Regreso A Casa”
The National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, which brings together more than eighty WHRDs from different regions of the country and from diverse organizations, strongly condemns the attack on Norma Esther Andrade, committed on the 2nd of December in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and demands effective protection for her and her family members. Read here the Network’s statement and find action alerts.
Statement
Organizations and women human rights defenders that make up the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders (La Red nacional de Defensoras de Derechos Humanos, Mexico) denounce and condemn the attack on Norma Esther Andrade, president of the organization Our Daughters Returning Home (Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa, A.C.).
We demand justice and effective protection for the Andrade family, an immediate investigation and punishment of those responsible.
We demand respect and security for all women human rights defenders in Ciudad Juarez.
The National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, which brings together more than eighty women human rights defenders from different regions of the country and from diverse organizations, strongly condemns the attack on Norma Esther Andrade, committed on the 2nd of December in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and demands effective protection for her and her family members.
Ms. Norma Andrade has a long history of struggle against femicide and in favor of justice and the rights of women. After the assassination of her daughter, Lilia Alejandra, in 2001, together with Marisela Ortiz, she founded the organization Our Daughters Return Home (Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa, NHRC), a group that seeks justice in cases of murdered and missing women in Ciudad Juarez.
According to reports of NHRC, the attempt on her life occurred "when she approached her truck on her way to work, while she was in the company of her two minor grandchildren, an unknown subject approached her and shot a firearm several times, where five bullets hit Norma causing injuries to her torso, right shoulder and right hand."
Since the establishment of NHRC, its members have received 30 threats and acts of harassment, which have never been investigated by the authorities, despite the fact that in most cases, formal complaints were filed. Since the year 2008, four members of this association have been granted precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR). This situation reflects a disturbing pattern of attacks on women human rights defenders who denounce violence against women and impunity in Mexico, and particularly in the state of Chihuahua.
We reiterate that it is the State’s inescapable responsibility to ensure the protection of women human rights defenders, and the safety of persons in situations of high risk due to their activities on behalf of rights and justice.
For this reason, we hold the Mexican state responsible for the life, safety and physical and psychological integrity of women human rights defender Norma Andrade and her family. We support the demands of NHRC and other organizations and human rights networks and demand:
That the Mexican government comply with the obligations it has assumed in protecting human rights defenders in Mexico.
The immediate and effective protection is provided to all those that form part of NHRC, particularly the Andrade family.
The clarification of the facts of this case based on an investigation that is prompt, expeditious and conducted with due diligence, where the perpetrator or perpetrators of this attack are punished.
The diligent investigation of all threats and acts of harassment that have been denounced by members of NHRC.
That local and federal authorities refrain from actions and public statements that tend to criminalize the victims or that minimize the event and its serious implications.
That federal and state governments immediately establish a mechanism to ensure the protection of all women human rights defenders in Mexico.
Read more on Amnesty International's website