[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2479-S2480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON DEATHS OF WOMEN IN THE STATE OF CHIHUAHUA, 
                                 MEXICO

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of a 
concurrent resolution I submitted yesterday which conveys the deepest 
sympathy of the Senate to the families of the young women who have been 
tragically murdered in Ciudad Juarez and throughout the state of 
Chihuahua, and urges the Governments of Mexico and the United States to 
work together to address this issue. This is an issue that has not only 
affected the people of Mexico but has long troubled the border 
communities across the entire Southwest region.
  Last Congress, I submitted a similar version of this resolution in 
conjunction with Representative Hilda Solis in the House of 
Representatives, and I am pleased that Senators Cornyn, Corzine, 
Durbin, Ensign, Feingold, Feinstein, Landrieu, Leahy, Levin, Mikulski, 
and Murray, have joined me in resubmitting this resolution.
  This last Tuesday was International Womens' Day, and I believe that 
as we mark the achievements women have made, we must also recognize the 
challenges that remain. Stopping violence against women is one such 
challenge that we face. It is far too prevalent in our country and 
around the world, and we must do all we can to bring it to an end.
  Since 1993, bodies of young women began appearing in the deserts 
outside the city of Juarez, Mexico, marking the beginning of a 
horrendous epidemic that has plagued the United States-Mexico border 
region for more than 10 years. Since then, more than 370 women have 
been killed. Many of the young women were abducted in broad daylight in 
well-populated areas, held captive for several days, and subjected to 
physical violence, humiliation, and sexual torture before having their 
mutilated bodies discovered days, or sometimes years, later in deserted 
areas. Since 2004, at least 30 women have been killed in the city of 
Juarez in Chihuahua.
  On May 28, 2004, 14-year-old Luisa Rocio Chavez was found murdered in 
the state of Chihuahua after disappearing the previous morning on her 
way home from the store. She had been raped and strangled to death, and 
her body was found partially clothed. And before that, on April 26, 
2004, a 33-year-old factory worker, Teresa Torbellin, was found after 
being beaten to death and dragged through bushes and desert, eventually 
being dumped in a deserted area outside the city. Like these deaths, 
nearly all of the cases remain unsolved. In fact, many of the bodies of 
victims have yet to be positively identified. One can only imagine how 
much pain and suffering this has caused the families and friends of 
these young women. I want to make sure these deaths are never 
forgotten, and that the Governments on both sides of the border 
continue to give this issue the attention it so rightly deserves.
  Human rights groups have reported that in many cases bodies have been 
misidentified, evidence contaminated or lost, key witnesses not 
properly interviewed, and autopsies inadequately performed. And there 
have been serious allegations of instances of individuals being 
tortured into confessing to these horrible crimes. In one such case, an 
American citizen, Cynthia Kiecker, and her husband Ulises Perzabal were 
accused of killing a young woman and reportedly tortured into 
confessing. I am pleased that they have since been released.
  President Vicente Fox has taken steps to address this issue by 
setting up the Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against 
Women, which is responsible for coordinating federal and state efforts 
in preventing violence of women in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, and 
appointing a special prosecutor for punishing those responsible for the 
murders in Ciuad Juarez. The federal prosecutor, Maria Lopez Urbina, 
has reviewed over 200 cases and cited 130 Chihuahua public servants for 
negligence and malfeasance. I am encouraged that the new governor of 
Chihuahua, Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazass, has indicated a willingness to 
take steps to resole these murders.

[[Page S2480]]

  I also want to recognize the efforts of Commissioner Guadalupe Morfin 
Otero, who has done some good work in investigating the issues 
surrounding these deaths. The Mexican Federal Government has also 
established a DNA database to help better identify the victims. While 
obtaining independent verification of victims' remains an outstanding 
issue, the creation of this database is a positive step in the right 
direction.
  Although I am pleased that President Fox has taken the initiative on 
these fronts, I continue to believe that there needs to be a more 
coordinated effort on the part of the Mexican and U.S. Governments. 
That is why I have submitted this vitally important resolution. I stand 
ready to assist in any way I can, and I believe that the U.S. 
Government should be prepared to do so as well. The U.S. Agency for 
International Development has begun providing assistance to the state 
of Chihuahua for judicial reform, and I hope that the Mexican and U.S. 
Governments can work together on other initiatives as well. This 
resolution isn't meant to be a condemnation of Mexico. It is meant to 
express that the U.S. Congress stands with the victims of this violence 
and is willing to take constructive steps to assist in preventing these 
murders in the future.
  Specicially, this resolution would condemn the abductions and murders 
of young women in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, express the sincerest 
condolences and deepest sympathy of the Senate to the families of the 
young women, and urge a continued multilateral effort on the part of 
the Governments of Mexico and the United States to address this issue.
  To this end, it would urge the Governments of Mexico and the United 
States to support steps that would allow families to positively 
identify the remains of the victims, and encourage the Secretary of 
States to continue to facilitate U.S. participation in such efforts.
  It would also encourage the Secretary of State to urge the Mexican 
Government to ensure fair and proper judicial proceedings for the 
individuals accused of these abductions and murders, and to impose 
appropriate punishment for those individuals found guilty of such 
crimes. Additionally, it would condemn threats against human rights 
activists and the use of torture as a means of investigation.
  Lastly, this resolution would condemn all senseless acts of violence 
against women across the world and express the solidarity of the people 
of the United States with the people of Mexico in the face of these 
tragic and senseless acts.
  This problem can't be ignored. We have the chance to help end the 
suffering of these innocent families, and I hope the Senate will join 
me in supporting this resolution.

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