UNITED MEXICAN STATES: Woman tortured by police is released from prison after four years of injustice

8 Jun 2016

[International Secretariat]

Region: UNITED MEXICAN STATES

Topic:

Yecenia Armenta Graciano

Yecenia Armenta Graciano was arbitrarily detained by Sinaloa state investigative police on 10 July 2012 and beaten, near-aspyxiated and raped during 15 hours of torture until she was forced to "confess" to involvement in the murder of her husband.

"The incredible cruelty of the torture that Yecenia suffered is part of the daily customs of Mexico´s police who routinely present illegal evidence in criminal investigations all over the country. Her release today provides a small glimmer of hope for those unjustly detained in prisons all over the country," said Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

Yecenia´s torturers came from the very same institution that presented the criminal charges against her. Despite the weight of evidence from national and international experts proving the torture that Yecenia suffered as well as a recommendation from Mexico´s national human rights ombudmsan, the Sinaloa State Attorney General´s Office insisted on accusing Yecenia with a serious crime.

"The fact that not one of Yecenia´s torturers has stepped foot in prison speaks to the shameful lack of independence from authorities in this case. The perpetrators of these despicable acts must be brought to justice and Yecenia must be granted reparation."

Amnesty International has been campaigning on a number of cases of torture survivors all throughout the country. Yecenia´s is part of a group of brave women who have founded a national campaign focused on "breaking the silence" about the sexual violence and torture they have suffered.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS FLASH
7 June 2016