Following an interdisciplinary model of ‘integral defence’, the Tlachinollan Human Rights centre uses legal tools, political and media pressure, and national and international alliances to achieve change.

Among Tlachinollan’s recent cases are those of Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú, indigenous women who were raped by soldiers in early 2002. Having taken the courageous step of reporting the attacks, the women’s search for justice was hindered by the referral of the cases to military jurisdiction. This system, applied to any offence committed by military personnel while on duty, has been criticised for perpetuating impunity for acts that violate the human rights of civilians.[1]

Supported by the Organisation of Indigenous Me’phaa People (OPIM) and the Tlachinollan Human Rights Centre, the women took their cases all the way to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which in September 2010 found the state of Mexico guilty for violating their human rights.

There has been a high price paid. The women, their families and supporters, including Tlachinollan and OPIM staff, were threatened and attacked. Ms Fernández’s brother was murdered.

They are now waiting to see if Mexico will comply with the sentence of the Inter-American Court.

Join us in London on 7 June 2011 for a conference on Mexico and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights - in comparative perspective with the European Court of Human Rights.

Alliance members can help by:

• Preparing a report on the risks, threats and repression facing lawyers in Mexico.
• Monitoring Mexico’s compliance with the Inter- American Court’s sentences in these cases and others such as that of Rosendo Radilla; preparing reports and amicus curiae briefs.
• Researching Mexico’s response to protection measures issued by the Inter-American system.
• Participating in a delegation to Mexico to follow up on the recommendations of the Bar Human Rights Committee delegation issued in July 2010. 
• Training lawyers and prosecutors in the new principles introduced by Mexico’s 2008 justice system reform (adversarial system, presumption of innocence, burden of evidence, oral trials), in partnership with local human rights organisations.