Women Victims of Sexual Torture in Atenco v. Mexico

This case arises out of a clash between protesters and police caused by the attempt to relocate flower vendors near a market. During the protest, police beat up and arrested indiscriminately anyone, including people simply walking down the street, waiting for buses, making purchases, trading, conducting research, providing medical care to those in need, and even when inside private homes. The victims in the case were eleven women, all innocent bystanders. They were arrested and sexually assaulted, in separate incidents, while being transported to the detention center to be processed, and while at the detention facility. All were eventually released without charges. Eventually, the Court found Mexico in violation of several articles of the American Convention, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, and the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture.

Women Victims of Sexual Torture in Atenco v. Mexico