Hearing on Mexico’s Military Justice 3.20.09

On March 20, 2009 an Inter-American Human Rights Commission hearing addressed human rights and military justice in the State of Mexico. The petitioners included the Centro de Derechos Humanos from several regions (CDH), Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promocion de los Derechos Humanos (CMDPDH), Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), and the Centro de Análisis e Investigación. Representing the State was, Coronel Sanchez from the General Department of Military Justice. Overseeing the hearing were commissioners Florentin Melendez, Victor Abramovich, Paolo Carroza and President Luz Patricia Mejia.

The Criminalization of the Defenders of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights 3.20.09

On Friday, March 20, 2009, the Inter-American Commission heard an account of the criminal processes taken against defenders of indigenous peoples in South America.  The purpose of the hearing was to examine the countries’ actions against the leaders, who defend the rights of indigenous people.  The Petitioners argue that the Colombian, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, and Chilean governments have violated the rights of indigenous peoples as established by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.  

The Case of Maria Isabel Veliz Franco 3.20.09

On Friday, March 20, 2009, the Inter-American Commission heard case 12.578 regarding the violent death and suspicion of sexual assault of Maria Isabel Veliz Franco, fifteen years old, of Guatemala.  The purpose of the hearing was to examine the State’s investigation of Franco’s murder that took place in 2001.  The Petitioners argued Guatemala violated Franco’s human rights as described in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.  Claudia Paz, the expert testifying on the weaknesses of the investigation, identified fundamental failings by the State when handling the crime scene and pieces of evidence.  

University of Texas Leads Activists In Denouncing U.S./Mexico Border Wall 10.22.08

On Wednesday October 22, 2008, the Commission held a general hearing on the U.S./Mexico Border Wall case. The University of Texas Working Group on Human Rights and the Border Wall brought this case against the U.S. government. The U.S. Secure Fence Act passed in 2006 mandating the construction of roughly 700 miles of “pedestrian barrier” along the U.S./Mexico border, 200 miles of which falls in Texas. The Working Group claims violations of human rights are already occurring as preparations are made for construction of the “wall” and further serious violations are imminent as construction moves forward.

IACHR Photo

 

Session Meeting at the IACHR

Jessica Gonzales Challenges U.S. Supreme Court Decision 10.22.08

On June 22, 1999, Simon Gonzales, Ms. Lenehan’s ex-husband, left with their three daughters, ages seven, nine, and ten. Ms. Lenehan contacted the Castle Rock, Colorado Police Department nine times over a period of ten hours during their absence, informing the officers of her concern and of her restraining order against Mr. Gonzales. Hours later, Mr. Gonzales drove to the police department, parked his car, and opened fire. The police shot and killed him, and found the bodies of the three girls in the back of his pick-up truck.

Economic and Social Rights of Indigenous People in Honduras and Guatemala

The petition alleges that both the government of Honduras and that of Guatemala failed to secure the human rights of the Miskito communities. The regions they inhabit lack adequate road infrastructure, health care facilities, and schools. Thirty to forty percent of the Miskito people are illiterate. Besides traditional handicrafts and very basic agriculture, which is complicated by regular flooding, there are very little opportunities for employment. Consequently, most Moskito men have no other option than to accept employment by fishing companies as divers because the job does not require any special skills or education.

Status Report: Guantanamo Bay Detainees

An Algerian citizen who fled Algeria and ultimately ended up in Canada where he resided for five years, left Canada because he was denied political asylum. Consequently, he relocated to Afghanistan, where he was subsequently turned over to US forces, even though he was not involved in the hostilities. Petitioner has been a Guantanamo detainee for approximately 6 ½ years, where he allegedly suffered grave mistreatment, including physical beatings, simulated drowning, sleep deprivation and solitary confinement, just to name few. The government has not charged petitioner with any crime, but has continued to detain him.

Due process problems in the application of policies on immigrant detention and deportation in the United States – Thursday, October 28, 2008

An immigrant from Burundi came to the United States seeking peace and protection. On the first day he arrived, however, he was detained for having fake documents and struggled over the next six months to obtain release.