95 Members Urge Mexican Authorities to Investigate the Abuses against Women during Police Operation

It's been over two years since the attacks on community members in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico, attacks that specifically targeted women, exemplified by the police rape of at least 23 women. The violence was sparked by a combination of land rights and the right to make a living. It's only taken two years for the U.S. government to say something. On Monday, Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA) and 94 other members of Congress sent a letter to Mexican government officials expressing concerns and urging resolution to allegations of widespread physical and sexual abuse of women detained by police in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico, in May, 2006.

In the letter, congressional members urge that jurisdiction over the investigation into the crimes committed against Ms. Méndez and the 25 other women assaulted in San Salvador Atenco be transferred to the federal attorney general and that any evidence gathered by any federal investigation undertaken so far is used to identify and file charges against those responsible.
The members also encourage the Mexican officials to implement the recommendations made by the National Human Rights Commission which call for effective and impartial investigations into the sexual and physical violence suffered by these women.

Sources : The Latin Americanist, The Narco News Bulletin, Adventures in the Coconut Caucus
Image Source : Daylife.com (MARIO VAZQUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)