Take Action: Write a letter here to President Felipe Calderon urging the Mexican government to bring Norma’s attackers to justice.

At least one hundred international human rights groups and more than two hundred women’s rights groups and individual women activists from Central America are calling for immediate and effective protection for Norma Andrade and her family. They are also criticizing the Mexican Government for not implementing security measures that they had committed to over a month ago.  They will soon be sending a letter to the Mexican government outlining their concerns.

Norma is the founder of Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa (NHRC), or May Our Daughters Return Home.  She was attacked on February 3^rd in Mexico City. A man approached Norma and used a knife to slash her face while she was with her granddaughter. She is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for the two-inch wound.

This is the second attack on Norma’s life.  The first attack occurred in Ciudad Juarez two months ago, when an unknown assailant attacked her at her home.  Shortly afterwards she moved to Mexico City for her safety. Human Rights organizations condemn both attacks and believe that they are directly related to Norma’s fight for justice.

In the past two and a half years, five Mexican human rights activists have been killed while twelve others have left the country. Norma’s own daughter and current President of NHRC, Maria Luisa, had to leave Ciudad Juarez after her house was intentionally set on fire one year ago.

Since 2008 the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has put pressure on the Mexican government to provide protection for four members of Norma’s organization, Nuestra Hijas, including Norma. However the government has failed to do so despite the first attack on Norma two months ago.

View a PDF of the call for protection in English

View a PDF of the call for protection in Spanish

READ MORE:

Mexican Human Rights Activist’s Norma Andrade Face Slashed by Attacker, Hispanically Speaking News, 4 February 2012

Slasher attacks Ciudad Juarez activist who was shot previously, Los Angeles Times, 3 February 2012

TAKE ACTION:

Write a letter here to President Felipe Calderon urging the Mexican government to bring Norma’s attackers to justice.

Urge the Minister of Interior by sending him a letter here calling for effective protection for Norma.

Write to the Mexican embassy in your country to ask for immediate and effective measures of protection for Norma and her family.

Sign here the petition by Amnesty International Mexico (in Spanish).