President Fox Thinks 400 Murders of Women Are No Big Deal

Just what is it with Mexican President Vicente Fox?

Fox announced yesterday that most of the slayings of hundreds of women in Ciudad Juarez have been solved and suggested that they had been blown all out of proportion. Speaking to reporters in Monterrey, Mexico, yesterday, Fox said there have been 323 women killed in Juarez since 1993. He says that 230 cases have been solved and 200 of the killers are in prison. Fox cited a report by his special prosecutor in charge of the case, Maria Lopez Urbina.

Victims’ families, human rights and women’s activist were outraged by the comments. Lopez Urbina’s findings had already been received with scorn by those following the case and a variety of human rights groups.

The past week has seen a series of anti-violence marches in Juárez, including a 20,000-strong gathering on Friday. The marches were sparked by long-standing frustrations and the recent, brutal killings of two young girls, aged 7 and 10.

Earlier this year, the Governor Reyes Baeza of the state of Chihuahua in Mexico complained that international attention on the situation in Ciudad Juarez is damaging the city's public image.

Amnesty International has said, “Ciudad Juarez does have an image problem, but that image is due to both the horrific crimes perpetrated in the region and the institutional failure to bring justice to bear on the perpetrators in a credible and fair way. The administration of Governor Reyes Baeza and the federal government must take responsibility for the situation. Ciudad Juarez's image will improve when the violence ends and the atmosphere of corruption and denial is replaced by one of justice and fairness."

Amnesty also pointed out that while many arrests have indeed been made, that is little cause for satisfaction. “…allegations of torture and other violations against alleged suspects, as well as the perception that some convictions may be due more to political and international pressure than well-founded judicial decisions, has heightened concern that miscarriages of justice have occurred."

Over the past twelve years, nearly 400 women have been killed in the cities of Juárez and Chihuahua, 250 miles south. Of these, at least 137 of the victims were sexually assaulted prior to their murders. There are many similarities in the killings.

A significant number of victims work in the maquiladora sector - sweatshops that produce for export with 90% destined for the United States. The maquiladoras employ mainly young women at poverty level wages. Though the maquiladoras are making a load of money thanks to poverty level wages and lax environmental regulations, they offer virtually no protection for their women workers.

Donate to grassroots organizations in Juarez and Chihuahua that are in need of funds to keep their vital work going. Donate through MSN and 100% of the money is passed on to local projects working to support victim's families, to educate people about the crisis, and to defend the falsely accused. Send check or money order to: MSN, 4834 N. Springfield, Chicago, IL 60625 and indicate that it is for Chihuahua organizations on your check. Sources: Washington Office on Latin America, Latin America Working Group, Amnesty International, Mexico Solidarity Network, KLTV (Tyler, TX), El Universal (Mexico)