[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H2832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        POLICE GONE WILD--MEXICO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, brutal actions of local and state police are 
going unpunished; and, as the founder of the Victims Right Caucus, I 
bring this serious matter to the House's attention.
  Two years ago, on May 3 and 4, 2006, there was a lawful protest in 
support of local flower sellers who had been displaced from their 
business because a new airport was being built. During the protest, law 
enforcement officers arrested and detained 47 separate women. The 
police officers didn't read the women their rights; the women were just 
arrest arrested, locked up, and taken into custody. Then, Madam 
Speaker, the officers beat and sexually assaulted them. I repeat, they 
beat and sexually assaulted the 47 women that were arrested. Obviously, 
lawmen have become outlaws.
  One of the 47 women was Barbara Mendez, a 27-year-old student and a 
child advocate. Barbara went to the protest because she heard a child 
was killed in the violence between the police and the protesters. As a 
child advocate, Barbara went to show her support for the child and her 
community. But after Barbara arrived at the protest, the police beat 
her and arrested her because she was with the protesters and supposedly 
blocking a road. Barbara was placed in a police vehicle and forced to 
take off her clothes. She was then gang raped by the police officers, 
as other officers watched and cheered on the rapists. Barbara was then 
locked up in jail for 12 days.
  Madam Speaker, this is a case of police gone wild.
  Jail doctors then examined Barbara, but it just so happened that they 
failed to document her physical injuries or gather any forensic 
evidence of the rape. This evidence is crucial for any prosecution.
  Madam Speaker, rape is a crime that tries to destroy the soul of the 
victim. And of these 47 women arrested and assaulted, 26 of them later 
filed complaints with authorities claiming physical, psychological, and 
sexual abuse during the arrest and detention. But since these assaults 
occurred, none of the police criminals have been brought to justice. 
No, not one. And this ought not to be.
  Five months after the assaults, a national human rights commission 
called for criminal investigations into the assaults, but no 
investigations have occurred.
  In February of 2007, the Supreme Court instructed a special judicial 
commission to investigate the crimes by the police in the arrest of 
these 47 women.
  Then, Barbara Mendez and several other victims filed another 
complaint with federal authorities, but the federal authorities are 
sitting on these cases refusing to move forward. Why isn't there any 
justice for these women?
  Next week marks the second year anniversary of these assaults, and 
yet none of these women have seen a courtroom. Obviously, no justice 
for these rape victims. Of the 47 women, two are from Spain, one is 
from Germany, two are from Chile, and the rest are Mexican citizens. 
But none of them received any justice. Basic human rights is obviously 
being denied.
  Madam Speaker, these assaults did not occur in the United States. 
They occurred in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico, just 30 miles outside of 
Mexico City.
  This issue is a world human rights issue, and this type of abuse 
cannot be tolerated and peace officers cannot enjoy impunity. Police 
officers are supposed to protect the community and keep people safe 
from harm, not cause harm to people. And, of course, this includes 
Mexican police officers. These officers must be held accountable. They 
need to have their day in court. And, if they are guilty, they need to 
be sent off to the jailhouse.
  As we approach Mother's Day in the United States, Madam Speaker, we 
need to proclaim that mothers and women throughout the world receive 
the respect and honor due them. That includes justice, because justice 
is the one thing we should always find, even in Mexico.
  And that's just the way it is.

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