Wednesday, October 24, 2001

Murdered earth rights defender Digna Ochoa

They are after me but I will not live in fear

Mexican earth rights defender Digna Ochoa

Amnesty International (Canada)

The best way to honour Digna's memory is to ensure that this is the last time human rights defenders in Mexico -- including her colleagues at the Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Centre -- feel threatened for their tireless work on behalf of their fellow citizens.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson

• deploring the killing of human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa on 19 October in Mexico City;
  
  
• insisting that the authorities initiate an exhaustive and independent investigation, taking all the necessary measures to ensure the preservation of vital evidence that could lead to the identification of those responsible for the killing of Digna Ochoa;
  
  
• expressing your concern for the safety of members of the PRODH and human rights lawyers who worked with Digna Ochoa and urging the authorities to adopt the necessary protection measures in accordance with the wishes of human rights defenders;
  
  
• informing the authorities that the international community will be closely monitoring progress on the judicial investigation into the killing of Digna Ochoa.