ines and valentina

I am writing to inform you about the case of Ines and Valetina two indigenous women who were reportedly raped by soldiers. It has been over 7 years since this incidence and still no one has been brought to justice , as Im sure you understand , both women have shown a great deal of courage in reporting their ordeals to the authorities in Mexico where cultural, economic and social barriers deter many indigenous woman from seeking justice.

The first case of these two separate incidents happened on 22 march 2002, when Ines Fernandez Ortega, an indigenous women whom speaks little Spanish, was forcefully interrogated by soldiers. When she gave no answer they went on to rape her.

The second case which occurred on 16 February 2002 was the one of Valentina Rosendo Cantu, aged just 17 at the time. She was approached by soldiers near her home, they questioned her about the activities of hooded men (a reference to armed opposition groups). When she said she did not know any, they threatened her and two of the soldiers reportedly raped her.

Amnesty international are now questioning the safety of Ines Fernandez Ortega after her brother was kidnapped on 9 February 2008 and then found dead the following day. Also on 30 June 2007, her husband, fortunate Priscilano, a police volunteer, was attacked and threatened by two men in front of the municipal police station. As he lay on the ground, one of the men showed him a gun he had concealed under his clothes, telling him if you try to do something then this is your food what you are doing with your wife against the soldiers is wrong. He has, since then, been threatened on several occasions by relatives of the two men. Im sure you must agree that both Ines and her husband are in grave danger.

hopefully this petition may bring awareness to the mexican authorities and these two woman will no longer have to suffer in fear of the fact that thier rapists are still on the loose and that both thier own and thier famalies lives are at risk.