On October 1, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a ruling that the Mexican government had violated the human rights of two Indigenous Me'phaa women who were raped by members of the armed forces in 2002. The violations also include giving impunity for those responsible for the abuses as well the harassment of the people who have supported the women in their search for justice. The court cited the American Convention on Human Rights, the International Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture, and the Convention of Belem do Pará, which addresses violence against women. The court also demanded that the government reopen the criminal investigation, investigate the officials who undermined the investigations, strengthen procedures for investigating rape cases, improve medical care provided to the direct victims, and provide redress for the women, their relatives, and community. The court also emphasized Mexico’s obligation to stop applying military justice when investigating and prosecuting members of the army for human rights violations.
