AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

Friday, May 5, 2006

(New York) -- Statement of Larry Cox, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), in response to congressional adoption of legislation that calls on the United States and Mexico to work together to find an end to the violence against women in the Mexican state of Chihuahua:

"The United States Congress rarely passes free-standing resolutions expressing concern about human rights conditions in a friendly country such as Mexico. The situation in Juarez and Chihuahua is so bad, however, that the U.S. Congress could no longer ignore it. Congress has now unanimously called on the secretary of state and the U.S. ambassador to Mexico to take specific steps to ensure that addressing these horrendous murders becomes a part of the U.S.-Mexico bilateral agenda.

"This is an extraordinary and historic event. By pressing Mexican authorities to make every effort to stop the killings, the secretary of state and ambassador to Mexico can help to ensure justice in Chihuahua."

Thousands of Amnesty International USA activists have held meetings, made calls and written letters in support of the resolutions introduced in the House by Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) and in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). More than 400 women and girls have been murdered in the State of Chihuahua since 1993, according to Amnesty International research.

Click here for more information.

Contact: Ben Somberg, 212/633-4268 or or Renata Rendon, 202/544-0200 x528.

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