Claudia Medina Tamariz, who survived 36 hours of physical, psychological and sexual torture in her home in Veracruz, Mexico, by members of the Mexican Marine (SEMAR), and has been released on bail, remains on trial for allegations of illegal firearms possession.
Bearing in mind that the sole source of evidence for the indictment came from SEMAR itself, Claudia Medina was not granted her freedom by the Third Federal District Judge, based in Boca del Rio, Veracruz, in her December 2014 trial. Her defense condemned this act, maintaining that Claudia Medina was tortured in order to falsely confess her guilt of the crime.
Within the next few days, Arturo Gómez Ochoa, judge of the Third Unitary Tribunal of Xalapa, Veracruz, will have the chance to grant Claudia her immediate freedom. It is now up to Gómez Ochoa, to resolve the appeal against the judge’s decision.
Human Rights organisations such as Center Prodh and Amnesty International have demanded that the accusations be cleared, in order for Claudia to receive damage repair, prove her truth and encounter justice in the face of the human rights violations she suffered.
Along with them, the Mexican Network of Human Rights Defenders (RNDDHM) released a statement directed at Gómez Ochoa, expressing their concern regarding the victim’s integrity and the investigations in relation to the case. As cited in the local news portal Plumas Libres, “Until now the Attorney General has hindered investigations on the torture, doing away from the evidence and expert reports which prove that Claudia was tortured.” In addition to this it is important to acknowledge that while torture is by no means an infrequent occurrence in Mexico, the nation’s Government has ‘ratified the UN Convention against Torture and its constitution prohibits torture.’
For further information see: AI Campaign Claudia Media Tamariz, RNDDHM Press Release (in spanish), Plumas Libres report: Judge could grant Claudia Medina Tamariz freedom (in spanish)
