No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 3, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

MEXICO: Miriam Lpez

On 2 February 2011, 30-year-old Miriam Isaura Lpez Vargas dropped her children off at school in Ensenada, Baja California state. Two men wearing balaclavas suddenly appeared and grabbed her. The men, who were later identified as soldiers, tied her up, blindfolded her, and drove her to a military barracks in the city of Tijuana. For a week, a civilian prosecutor of the Federal Attorney Generals Office directed intensive questioning of Miriam Lpez and soldiers raped her repeatedly. The torture included electric shocks and threats to her family. It finally stopped after she signed a statement that falsely implicated her in drug offences. Miriam Lpez spent seven months in prison while waiting for a trial that never began. She was released without any charges against her. The National Commission of Human Rights investigated Miriams case and has called for justice and compensation. The authorities have provided some police protection for Miriam and a few counselling sessions. However, despite the fact that she has identified some of the perpetrators and their accomplices, no one has been brought to justice for the sexual violence and other forms of torture she suffered. Miriam Lpez is one of many people who have been similarly captured and tortured. Between 2006 and 2012, the National Human Rights Commission revealed that reports of torture and ill-treatment rose by 500 per cent in Mexico between 2006 and 2012. Convictions are rare.

Miriam fears showing her face after horrendous treatment by soldiers. Agencia Reforma

Activate your pens and your keyboards! Please write a letter to the federal Attorney General.
Start with Dear Attorney General. Describe who you are and what concerns you about the torture Miriam Lpez experienced and how the perpetrators have so far gone unpunished. Urge him to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the torture of Miriam Lpez in February of 2011. Ask him to make sure that the results of the investigation are made public and that those who were responsible for torturing her are brought to justice.

Send your letter to: Jess Murillo Karam Procuradura General de la Repblica Paseo de la Reforma 211-213 Col. Cuauhtmoc, C.P. 06500 Mexico City, Mexico Postage: $1.85 Fax: 011 52 55 5346 0908 Email: ofproc@pgr.gob.mx

(This number is hard to reach. If you are successful and a voice answers, say Fax por favor.)

Please make a copy for: Honourable John Baird Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Postage: None required Email: john.baird@parl.gc.ca Fax: (613) 996-9880

(At the top of the copy, write something like Please call for justice for Miriam Lpez. Canada must help end torture in Mexico.

What else can I do? On Miriams Facebook page, bit.ly/miriamlopez, click Like and leave a message such as Miriam, remember that you are not alone in this struggle. I am with you. or Courage, Miriam! Your fight can help others. Include your name and country. If you do not have access to Facebook, you may mail a greeting to Miriam on a nonreligious card. You may mention Amnesty International and you may include your return address. Send your greeting to Miriam Lpez Comisin Mexicana de Defensa y Promocin de los Derechos Humanos Tehuantepec 142 Col. Roma Sur, C.P. 06760 Mexico City, Mexico

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