Support families fighting torture in Mexico

In 2022 cases of torture continued to arrive at our doors. No matter the lack of evidence, innocent people continue to be sentenced -But that doesn't stop us- We continue to pressure the government to eradicate torture, for judges to issue fair sentences, for prosecutors to do their job. For all of us to enjoy our rights.

And the fight continues and it has names

• Yonny. Young student tortured and sentenced to 33 years for a crime he did not commit. His parents and his sister traveling hours for each audience and visit, to bring him a little food, a little hope. In recent months, Frayba's lawyers and defenders have prepared Yonny's amparo- Habeas Corpus- which will be presented to the corresponding institutions in the coming days.

• Cesar and Luis. Mayan defenders of land and territory, criminalized and tortured, victims of an unjust process for the simple fact of being indigenous and defending their lands and their people. Cesar and Luis's hearing was scheduled for the end of last year, but the prosecutor's office postponed it, we still don't have a new date. These two defenders and their families have become an inspiration for the entire Frayba team.

• Alfredo. The clear example of a bad time and place- Victim of hours that became days of torture, in order to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit. As in Yonny's case, the next step for Frayba's lawyers is to seek amparo - Habeas Corpus- a tool that protects people from regulations, acts, or omissions by public powers that violate human rights or fundamental rights established in the Constitution.

• Carlos and Julia. Cruelly tortured, illegally detained, threatened. Carlos had to be surgically intervened for serious injuries resulting from torture. They made him self-incriminating with the threat that they would continue beating him and his family. Three years after his arrest and a judge confirmed the torture, Carlos remains in prison awaiting his sentence for a crime he did not commit.

This 2023 Frayba is committed to continue fighting and walking with victims of torture and their families. The path is not easy, we know, it is full of frustrations, fears, anger, but we know that there is light on the path, and when that light appears, it tastes like victory. If you decides to walk with us you provides us with light.

Follow and share their stories. Let's not give up, we are more the good ones.

Links:

• Frayba
• Video
• Cesar & Luis

The Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Center (FRAYBA) has continued the important work of fighting against torture—a practice which has become the main investigative method of the State Attorney General's Office—in coalition, systematically, at all levels of government. On many occasions, the cases overwhelm us; the injustices seem to drown us, but we know that there are more of us who fight for human rights, who want to stop the practice of torture and eradicate it. And thanks to your support, there are always examples of hope. A few of these examples are listed below:

• Carlos was released on July 7, 2022, one year after a violent and unjust detention. Carlos was able to hug his family again, his mother Mrs. Griselda, who suffered and witnessed the arrest of her son, and his father Mr. Andrés. Now they can sleep peacefully; his son is safe.
• The Abraham and Germán brothers were arrested on January 17^th, 2011. After a long struggle to prove their innocence and document serious human rights violations at occurred during their detention, they were declared innocent on May 16^th, 2022.
• The freedom of Marcelino; released after 20 years, 3 months and 2 days of unjust imprisonment. Marcelino, his wife Karla—who is an unstoppable fighter—and his daughter are now together; they are again a complete family.
• Antonia and Isaura, after spending more than 10 months in jail and away from their children, returned home. They fight to eradicate sexual torture against women, an act that they experienced firsthand.
• The release of indigenous community defender Cristóbal; after 3 set-ups, 2 years, 7 months, and 6 days, Cristóbal, a Tsostil representative of the Permanent Commission of the 115 Comuneros and Displaced Persons of the Aldama municipality, was freed. Justice was done.
• On August 26^th and 27^th 2022, the annual meeting of “Families United Against Torture and in Defense of Human Rights" was held. Memories were shared and follow-up on cases of family members who are still unjustly deprived of their freedom for fabricated crimes was conducted.

These are just some examples of hope that Frayba has supported over the past few years. The real fighters are the individuals and families who defend their communities and speak out against violence and torture, who inspire us to continue with strength on a long and difficult path toward justice. If you are reading this it is because we are not alone in this fight, your company encourages and drives our work forward. In every meeting, workshop, and court appearance your voice is behind us.

From the mountains of southern Mexico, we want to thank you for supporting victims and families who fight against torture and thank you for allowing Frayba to continue our work.

If you want to know more about what we do, or learn more about these stories and more, visit our website www.frayba.org.mx.