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INTERNATIONAL PEN WRITERS IN PRISON
COMMITTEE
INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN’S DAY
8 MARCH 2006
MEXICO: Lydia Cacho
‘Writing or reading a book on the abuse and trade of children is
neither easy nor enjoyable. Nevertheless, it is more dangerous for
society to remain silent about this phenomenon. Whilst society and the
State looks on, thousands of children are victims of dealers who turn
them into sexual objects to be traded and enjoyed by millions of men
who find in child pornography and the sexual abuse of children a thing
of delight which has no ethical repercussions’. Lydia Cacho, excerpt
from: Los demonios del edén El poder que protege a la
pornografía infantil, (The Demons of Eden The power that
protects the child pornography [industry]) published by Grijalbo in 2005
To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, International PEN Writers
in Prison Committee is focusing on the case of the Mexican writer and
journalist Lydia Cacho. Cacho currently faces trial under charges of
criminal defamation related to her exposure of the connection between
businessman José Camel Nacif Borge and alleged child
pornographer Jean Succar Kari in the book Los Demonios del Edén.
If convicted of criminal defamation she could be subject to a sentence
of up to four years in prison. Lydia Cacho also runs a centre for women
who have been the victims of violence; writes a political column for
the newspaper La Voz del Caribe; contributes to the Mexico City-based
magazines Día Siete and Tentaciones; is the editorial director
of the magazine Esta boca es mía (This mouth is mine); and a
presenter of a television programme of the same name. She has endured a
number of death threats related to her work.
International PEN Writers in Prison Committee condemns the criminal
defamation case against Mexican writer and journalist Lydia Cacho
and calls for an end to the judicial harassment and the continuing
threats to her personal safety that she has endured. PEN also calls for
all charges against Cacho and other Mexican writers and journalists
affected by similar legislation to be immediately dropped and the right
to practice their professions in accordance with Article 19 of the
United Nations Declaration of Human Rights that guarantees the right to
freedom of expression.
Legal Action
Criminal charges of “defamation” and “calumny” were brought against
Cacho in October 2005 by textile businessman José Camel Nacif
Borge who is cited in Cacho’s book Los Demonios del Edén: el
poder detrás de la pornografía (The Demons of Eden: the
power behind pornography) as having connections with Jean Succar Kuri,
currently detained in the United States and accused of heading up a
child pornography and prostitution network. The legal action against
Cacho was taken in the state of Puebla. Notice of the charges and a
demand for her to appear in
court were apparently sent to the author but she claims that no such
letter arrived at any of her registered addresses. Camel Nacif does not
deny knowing Succar Kuri but claims that his reputation has suffered as
a result of Cacho’s book making his relationship with him common
knowledge.
Detention and trial
On 16 December 2005, Cacho (42) was detained by Puebla state judicial
officers in Cancún, Quintana Roo. The officers apparently
arrested her in her office, bundled her into a vehicle and drove her to
Puebla, a journey of approximately twenty hours. Cacho has questioned
the legality of officials from Puebla making an arrest in Quintana Roo
before steps had been taken to ensure that she was aware of the charges
brought against her. She also reported that she was not allowed to
contact her lawyer or take with her the medicines she needs to control
her bronchitis.
Judge Rosa Celia Pérez González of Puebla’s Fifth Penal
Court (Juzgado Quinto en lo Penal de Puebla) released Cacho from San
Miguel State Prison the following day on bail of 106,000 pesos
(US$9,900) pending a further ruling on 23 December. On that date, Judge
Pérez ordered that Cacho be detained awaiting trial. However,
she will remain free since she lodged an appeal against the decision
and had already posted bail.
The author has stated that she believes Camel Nacif has brought the
charges at the bidding of Succar Kari in order to discredit her book
and strengthen the latter’s defence case.
Over the few months since the publication of the book, Cacho has
received the protection of bodyguards provided by the General
Procurator’s Office on account of the repeated death threats she has
received.
She faces between six months and four years in prison if convicted.
Recommended Actions:
Publicity
Centres are asked to use 8 March International Women’s Day as an
opportunity to raise publicity in their national media about the
Mexican laws governing criminal defamation and highlighting the case of
Lydia Cacho.
Appeals
Please send letters of appeal:
- Calling for all charges against Lydia Cacho to be dropped and her
right to be allowed to practice her profession without judicial
harassment and intimidation to be respected; in accordance with Article
19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Calling for those responsible for the ongoing death threats
made against the author to be brought to justice.
- Urging the Mexican authorities to adopt the recommendation of
the Inter American Commssion on Human Rights and repeal the laws
governing criminal defamation so that such matters can be dealt with in
the civil courts.
- Calling for an enquiry into the manner of Lydia Cacho’s arrest.
Appeals to:
President
Lic. Vicente Fox Quesada
Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos,
Palacio Nacional Patio de Honor Col. Centro 06067, Distrito
FederalMéxico
Fax : +52 55 5277 2376
E-mail: vicente.fox.quesada@presidencia.gob.mx
Internal Affairs Minister
Carlos María Abascal Carranza
Secretario de Gobernación,
Secretaría de Gobernación,
Bucareli No. 99
Col. Juárez
Delegación Cuahtémoc
06600 Distrito Federal
México
Sources of
information
Original International PEN case alert:
<http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/index.php?pid=33&aid=421>
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