Mexico Solidarity Network

Femicides of Juarez and Chihuahua

For more than a decade, the cities of Chihuahua and Juarez, near the US-Mexico border, have been killing fields for young women, the site of over 400 unsolved femicides. Despite the horrific nature of these crimes, authorities at all levels exhibit indifference, and there is strong evidence that some officials may be involved. Impunity and corruption has permitted the criminals, whoever they are, to continue committing these acts, knowing there will be no consequences.

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. In combination with lax environmental regulations and low tariffs under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the maquiladoras are amassing tremendous wealth. Yet despite the crime wave, they offer almost no protection for their workers. High profile government campaigns such as Ponte Vista (Be Aware), a self defense program, and supplying women with whistles have been ineffective and are carried out mainly for public relations purposes.

Small advances in the struggle for justice are due to the perseverance of victims’ families who cannot be silenced despite the efforts of state and federal authorities to keep them quiet. Campaigns by local, national and international non-governmental organizations are also important. Often grassroots groups work in a climate of threats and defamation by government officials for making one simple demand – STOP THE FEMICIDE!

We invite organizations and individuals to unite forces around the following objectives:
· Pressure the Mexican government to end crimes against women in the cities of Juarez and Chihuahua, and to punish those responsible.
· Demand punishment of public authorities responsible for the impunity.
· Create consciousness in the United States and Mexico that the crimes against women in the cities of Juarez and Chihuahua are a bi-national problem.
· Demand that maquiladora owners assume responsibility for the safety of their workers by providing safe transportation, street lights and increased security measures.
· In the US, promote the Sense of the Congress Resolutions of Representative Hilda Solis and Senator Jeff Bingaman that condemn the femicide.
· In Mexico, demand that the Fox administration intervene in the investigations and clean up local corruption and impunity.
· Promote the creation of a bi-national committee to address gender violence.

YOU CAN SUPPORT demands for justice for women in Juarez and Chihuahua in the following ways:

1) TAKE ACTION TO DEMAND FREEDOM FOR DAVID MEZA. Click here to see the action alert.

2) Organize a screening of “Señorita Extraviada” or “Maquiladora” in your community as part of an educational event. You can purchase a copy of the video through Mexico Solidarity Network. If you wish, we can arrange for a representative from the MSN to come to your community co-present with this powerful documentary. Contact [email protected] or call 773.583.7728.

3) Join a Mexico Solidarity Network delegation to Juarez. Meet the people struggling against impunity and for justice in Juarez. Visit the colonias. Speak to maquila workers about their lives and working conditions. Return to the US with a renewed sense of how and why people in the US have a unique responsibility to fight for women’s security and dignity.

4) Host a speaking tour with an activist from Ciudad Jaurez or Chihuahua. The MSN organized frequent speaking tours through the US.

5) Sign on to an on-line petition in support of the families:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/JUAREZ/petition.html

6) 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. You can also donate online via our secure server.

Our Partners in Juarez and Chihuahua:

Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas (http://espanol.geocities.com/justhijas/), a Chihuahua city based organization of mothers and friends of the disappeared and murdered young women in Chihuahua that are demanding justice. Contact: 01152(614)419 3401 or [email protected]

Casa Amiga Centro de Crisis (www.casa-amiga.org), an organization that offers psychological, legal and medical help for people who have suffered from violence and their families. Contact: 011 52 656 6153850 or [email protected]

Centro de Estudios y Taller Laboral (CETLAC), an organization that provides training and information to Juárez residents concerning labor problems such as discrimination, occupational health and safety, and legal rights. Contact: 011 52 (16) 16-20-73 or [email protected]

Nuestras hijas regreso a casa (www.geocities.com/pornuestrashijas), an organization founded by family and friends of the disappeared and murdered young women in Chihuahua that denounces the crimes and is seeking justices for the families. Contact: 011 52 (656) 625-9949 or [email protected]

View this 5-minute piece that summarizes the situation in Juarez and Chihuahua City, where approximately 400 young women have been murdered with virtually no action taken by the police or government. This video was produced by Steev Hise, who traveled on the West Coast leg of the International Caravan for Justice in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua in October and November, 2004. This is a study in preparation for a longer, complete documentary about this situation.