Mexico Responds to Nobel Laureates' Criticism on Women's Rights

The Mexican government faced criticism from six female Nobel peace laureates over the country's handling of women's rights and violence against women. In an open letter, the Nobel Women's Initiative demanded a thorough investigation into the December 2010 murder of activist Marisela Escobedo Ortiz. Escobedo was killed while protesting the lack of justice for her daughter, Rubi Marisol Frayre, who was murdered in August 2008 in Ciudad Juarez. The government acknowledged the "multiple challenges" faced in combating discrimination and violence against women and expressed its condemnation of Escobedo's murder.

Key Takeaways:

The Nobel Women's Initiative, consisting of Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchu, Betty Williams, and Mairead Maguire, sent an open letter to the Mexican government demanding an investigation into the murder of Marisela Escobedo Ortiz.
The letter also urged the Mexican government to address a November 2009 finding by the Inter-American Human Rights Court that the government is failing to prevent and investigate violence against women in Ciudad Juarez.
Despite over 7,000 homicides reported in Ciudad Juarez since 2008, only a handful of cases have led to arrests or prosecutions.
The Mexican government submitted a progress report on its efforts to address the Inter-American Court's conclusion last month.
Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa called on the Nobel laureates to acknowledge the efforts of Mexican politicians and civic organizations to guarantee women's human rights.
Mexico has a "firm commitment" to act on the Inter-American Court's conclusion.

Statistics:

Over 7,000 homicides have been reported in Ciudad Juarez since 2008.
Only a handful of these cases have led to arrests or prosecutions.
The murder of Marisela Escobedo Ortiz was a call to action for the Mexican government to address its handling of women's rights.
The Inter-American Human Rights Court found that Mexico is failing to prevent and investigate violence against women in Ciudad Juarez in November 2009.
Mexico submitted a progress report on its efforts to address the Inter-American Court's conclusion last month.

Sources:

EFE via COMTEX, January 20, 2011.