Court ruling attacks Guatemala for failure to tackle crimes against women

[Judi Lynn]

Court ruling attacks Guatemala for failure to tackle crimes against women
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:34 GMT
Author: Anastasia Moloney

BOGOTA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A landmark ruling handed down by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights this week put the spotlight on the high level of violence against women in Guatemala, a country with one of the highest femicide rates in the world.

The ruling addressed the case of teenager Maria Isabel Veliz, who was kidnapped in Guatemala City in December 2001 and whose body was found days later.

The 15-year-old had been raped, her hands and feet bound with barbed wire. She had been stabbed, strangled and put in a bag. Her face was disfigured from being punched, there was a rope round her neck and her nails were bent back.

The investigation into her killing was delayed so many times that the girl’s mother, Rosa Elvira, took the case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 2004 and later to the Inter-American Court, the regional human rights court for the Americas.

More:
http://www.trust.org/item/20140731163500-tfad3/

[Louisiana1976]

1. That's terrible, all the murders of women in Guatemala. It's a wonder more women aren't among

the refugees that have been fleeing that country.

[Judi Lynn]

3. You're so right. It could be that more would come if they could bring their kids.

I could imagine many of them have kids early, and don't think they could manage themselves and children throughout that treacherous journey.

Could be other family members anchor them to their country, even though their country will become their grave much sooner than they would anticipate.

I also believe many young women feel protective of their own mothers and sisters and might stay there to try to protect them, unwilling to leave them alone and helpless.

It's really sad.

[Judi Lynn]

2. International Court exposes Guatemalan State role in horrific death of teenage girl

International Court exposes Guatemalan State role in horrific death of teenage girl
30 July 2014

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ ruling that Guatemalan authorities failed to investigate the tragic murder of a teenage girl sends a strong message to governments around the world that failure to address violence against women will not be tolerated, said Amnesty International ahead of a press conference on the ruling in Guatemala City today.

The case was brought by the mother of María Isabel Veliz Franco, a 15-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted, tortured and brutally murdered in Guatemala in 2001. On Monday 28 July, the court found that not only had Guatemalan authorities failed to properly investigate the murder, but that they had failed to address and resolve the ingrained culture of violence and discrimination against women that permeates Guatemalan society, which led to a flawed investigation.

“This is a hugely important moment marking the legal responsibility of a government to create and maintain an environment where women and girls are protected from violence and where there is accountability when violations occur. But María Isabel’s family and supporters can not rest until those responsible for her horrific death are investigated and prosecuted,” said Sebastian Elgueta, Guatemala researcher at Amnesty International.

“The lessons of this case will only be learnt once the deaths of all women and girls murdered in Guatemala are taken seriously, and concrete steps are taken to prevent violence against women and create a safe and respectful society for all.”

In December 2001 María Isabel Veliz Franco was kidnapped in Guatemala City. Days later her body was found. She had been raped, bound with barbed wire on her hands and feet, stabbed, strangled and put in a bag. Her face was disfigured from being punched, her body was punctured with small holes, there was a rope around her neck and her nails were bent back.

Witnesses provided evidence that identified prime suspects, but the prosecutor’s office failed to investigate thoroughly.

More:
http://amnesty.org/en/news/international-court-exposes-guatemalan-state-role-horrific-death-teenage-girl-2014-07-30