Missing Women Conference Updates

A place for reflection and healing

2009-05-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

Very interesting:

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Proposed+memorial+would+place+reflection+healing/1526255/story.html

Voices of Our Sisters in Spirit: A Report to Families and Communities

2009-05-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the new Sisters in Spirit document.

http://www.nwac-hq.org/en/documents/VoicesofOurSistersInSpirit_2ndEdition_March2009.pdf

I encourage everyone to read it. I will be posting a sumamry of it soon!!!

Nikita Paige Peters- Update

2009-03-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

This update is sort of late but if Nikita can be foudn maybe others can be too!!

Nikita Paige Peters was reported missing to Police on November 3rd. She was found, safe and unharmed, just before 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5th by a Patrol Officer.

The Saskatoon Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in locating Nikita.

Amnesty International's Public Statement about Atenco

2009-03-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

Amnesty International
Public Statement
17 February 2009
AMR 41/008/2009

Mexican Supreme Court’s resolution on Atenco– the route to justice?

Amnesty International welcomes the Supreme Court’s acknowledged that serious human rights
violations were committed in San Salvador Atenco in May 2006 and its call for extended
investigations to establish criminal responsibility of those directly implicated. It is now imperative
that the government of President Felipe Calderón takes responsibility for guaranteeing justice and
compensation for the victims in the Atenco case.
The Supreme Court resolution comes two years after opening a non-jurisdictional investigation into
the police operation to quell a demonstration in San Salvador Atenco on 3 and 4 May 2006. The
operation resulted in the detention of more than 200 people and hundreds of allegations of
abuses, including sexual violence used as a form of torture against more than 26 women who
were arrested. Those responsible for the abuses have not been brought to justice and the victims
have not received any compensation.
In addition, Amnesty International believes that the Supreme Court resolution, in dismissing the
alleged responsibility of senior state and federal officials, fails to meet Mexico’s obligations under
international human rights law. According to international conventional law, Mexico is required to
investigate state officials suspected of ordering, instigating or inciting the use of torture or carrying
it out directly, as well as those who are in a position to prevent it and fail to do so.
The resolution appears to ignore the valuable work of the investigative commission and the report
presented to the plenary of justices by Justice Gudiño which concluded that even when there is
no evidence that senior officials ordered police to commit human rights violations, they may be
implicated by their failure to stop violations once they were aware of them taking place and by
their complete failure to ensure effective and credible investigations into the abuses. These two
principles are consistent with determining command responsibility under international human
rights law and must be upheld by those conducting the criminal investigations.
Amnesty International also regrets that the ruling does not acknowledge the quality and quantity of
evidence gathered by the investigating commission to establish human rights violations as
recognised in international treaties, such as torture. Rather, the court only refers to violations of
individual guarantees, and does not explicitly recognise the international treaties which are
binding on the Mexican State.
Furthermore, the organisation is concerned by the inclusion in the resolution of a proposal to draw
up general criteria on use of force by the State solely on the basis of constitutional principles of
legality, efficiency, professionalism and honesty. If situations such as Atenco are to be avoided in
the future, it is essential that these procedures are developed and implemented on the basis of
the international standards referred to in Justice Gudiño’s report, including proportionality,
necessity and accountability.
Despite the limitations of the Court’s resolutions, Amnesty International believes that President
Calderón’s government must show leadership in ensuring that criminal investigations are carried
out impartially and effectively into all those responsible for the human rights violations. Only a
commitment at the highest level will be enough to ensure justice, truth and reparations for all the
victims, from the women who suffered torture, including sexual violence, to those who have been
sentenced in unfair trials.
Background Information
On 3 and 4 May 2006 more than 2,500 federal, state and municipal police officers took part in an
operation to quell protests led by the peasant organisation, the Peoples’ Front for the Defence of
the Land (FPDT), in Texcoco and San Salvador Atenco, in the State of Mexico. The police
operation resulted in 207 detentions, the deaths of two people, dozens of protesters and police
being injured and several police officers being held hostage. In its report Violence against women
and justice denied in Mexico State (AMR 41/02/2006) Amnesty International documented the
sexual violence suffered by the women who were detained. In February 2007, in accepting Justice
Gudiño’s request to open an enquiry, the Supreme Court was exercising its constitutional authority
to order an investigation into “events which constitute a violation of any individual guarantee

Mexico: Mexican Supreme Court’s resolution on Atenco– the route to justice?

2009-03-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

A link to Amnesty International's article on the Mexican Supreme Court’s resolution on Atenco. Check it out!:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR41/008/2009/en

Not Good in Mexico

2009-03-03T17:48:00.000-08:00

By Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press.OTTAWA -

Things are getting ugly in parts of Mexico, and the federal government is warning Canadians not to get caught in the crossfire..The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday updated its travel report onMexico in light of the bloody drug cartel wars that have thrown somecities into chaos..It recommends Canadians "exercise a high degree of caution" whentravelling to areas in northern Mexico along the border with the UnitedStates..Cities like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez have become the frontline of a warbetween the government and increasingly powerful drug cartels. Mexicotripled its military presence this week in Ciudad Juarez, where even thepolice chief and the mayor's family have left town.."Armed clashes between security forces and drug groups are commonplacein certain areas and could occur at any time without warning," thetravel report reads. "Travellers could get caught in the crossfire.".Last year, 20 per cent more Canadians travelled to Mexico than the yearbefore, rising to 1.4 million people.But the cities in question are not generally where Canadians travel.Snowbirds flock to the idyllic beaches of the Mayan Riviera, PuertoVallarta, Hualtuco and other resort towns..None of those locations were singled out in the travel report, althoughCabo San Lucas and Acapulco are located in states that were mentioned -Baja California and Guerrero.."You can see that certainly the conventional tourist spots, the majortourist locations, don't have any more risk involved than at normaltimes," Peter Kent, Canada's junior foreign minister, said in aninterview.."But there are parts of Mexico off the beaten path . . . where therehave been incidents lately, and they're itemized on the (departmental)website.".Kent called the advisory "really just a heads-up to remind folks thereare situations in Mexico that can be risky, if not dangerous, and thatpeople should think before they get into certain situations, certainlocations.".Brad Miron, vice-president of business development at itravel2000, saidpeople have to be careful not to paint the entire country with the samebrush. He noted that the troubles in Ciudad Juarez are thousands ofkilometres away from the swaying palm trees of Cancun.."I spend about three-and-a-half months a year in Mexico. The southernbeach resorts are ... like anywhere in the world. You have to take yourown precautions, you have to be aware of your surroundings and not letyour guard down," said Miron.."Mexico, on a per capital basis, is one of the safest places in theworld to travel.".The U.S. State Department has gone further than Canada, issuing a travelalert. It has told diplomatic staff to curtail all non-essential travelto Durango and other hotspots..It has also warned spring breakers to keep their wits about them whentravelling into volatile Mexican border towns.."Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities which haverecently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shoppingcentres and other public venues," says the State Department.."Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens travelling in theirvehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, andTijuana."

Links for Information Regarding Tara-Lynn Poorman

2009-03-03T17:11:00.000-08:00

"Mayor Pat Fiacco, police chief Troy Hagen and FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson speak about the $25,000 reward offered by the Board of Police Commissioners to locate 17-year-old Tara-Lyn Poorman"- Star Pheonix:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Video+Reward+locate+Tara+Poorman/1320792/story.html

Regina Leader Post Article:
http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=97544fa3-2bca-498a-a572-6dc44bf75528

Calgary Herald Article:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/reward+being+offered+information+missing+Regina+teen/1320005/story.html

UPDATE

2009-01-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

The conference proceedings and conference video are underway and are scheduled to be completed by spring!

URGENT REQUEST

2008-11-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

Human rights defenders María Luisa García Andrade and Marisela Ortíz Rivera have received written death threats. The threats were sent within days of the screening of “Bajo Juárez: The city devouring its daughters”, a documentary on the killings of women in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua state.
Amongst those who feature in the documentary is Lilia Alejandra García Andrade, the murdered daughter of Norma Andrade and sister of María Luisa García. The latter and Marisela Ortíz feature in the film as they are prominent campaigners from Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa (NHRC), an organization which calls for justice on behalf of women murdered in the region.According to an eyewitness, on 30 October a dark car with tinted windows approached María Luisa García’s home in Ciudad Juárez while she was out. A man got out of the car, threw a stone at the house which broke a window through which he threw a large card which threatened to kill her and harm her children.On 5 November, Marisela Ortíz also found in front of her home a card with letters pasted on to it saying “Under Juarez, death” (Vajo (sic) Juarez muerte). Both women have filed a complaint with the Federal Special Prosecutor on Violence against Women and People Trafficking.
Concerns for members of NHRC are heightened by the fact that they have previously been threatened in the past. In May 2008, following the opening of the film “Bordertown”, which was loosely based on the stories of women murdered in the region, NHRC members received an offensive and threatening email following their support of the film’s release as a way of raising awareness of the killings of women in Ciudad Juárez.
Since the members of NHRC and their families were threatened in May 2008, there have been no advances in the investigation and the search for those responsible. Marisela Ortíz Rivera and María Luisa García Andrade have only received limited protection by federal police agents and no attention by the Chihuahua Attorney General’s office or protection by state police, even though the Inter American Commission for Human Rights ordered the Mexican government to provide protection measures for them.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:- expressing concern at the new threats received by María Luisa García on 30 October and Marisela Ortíz on 5 November;- calling on the authorities to put in place comprehensive protection measures for them and their families, in accordance with her own wishes;- urging the authorities to carry out an immediate and impartial investigation to identify those responsible for the threats received by María Luisa García and Marisela Ortíz and to bring them to justice;- calling on the authorities to provide information on the steps taken to investigate previous threats against them and other leading members of Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa in May 2008;- calling on the authorities to fulfil their obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and ensure that human rights defenders have a right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals.APPEALS TO:Governor of Chihuahua StateLic. José Reyes Baeza TerrazasGobernador del Estado de Chihuahua, Palacio de Gobierno, 1er piso, C. Aldama #901, Col. Centro,Chihuahua, Estado de Chihuahua, C.P. 31000, MEXICOFax: +52 614 429 3300, then dial extension 11066Salutation: Señor Gobernador / Dear Governor
Chihuahua State Attorney GeneralPatricia González RodríguezProcuradora del Estado de Chihuahua, Procuraduría General de Justicia del EstadoVicente Guerrero 616, Col. Centro, Chihuahua 31000, Estado de Chihuahua, MEXICOFax: +52 614 415 0314Salutation: Señora Procuradora General / Dear Public Prosecutor
COPIES TO:Special Prosecutor on Violence against Women and People TraffickingDra. Guadalupe Morfín OteroFiscal Especial para los Delitos de Violencia contra las Mujeres y Trata de PersonasProcuraduría General de la República,Río Elba, No. 17, Col. Cuauhtemoc, Del. Cuauhtemoc, México D.F., C.P. 06300, MEXICOFax: +52 55 5346 2540Email: atencionmujeres@pgr.gob.mx
Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a CasaEmail: nuestrashijas@gmail.com
and to diplomatic representatives of Mexico accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 December 2008.

Police Ask For Help Finding Missing Girl

2008-11-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

11 year old missing since Monday

Story Tools
ShareThisReported By Sheri Ebert
Posted November 4, 2008 - 4:42pm

Saskatoon Police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 11 year old girl.

Nikita Paige Peters was reported missing to police when she did not return home after school Monday November 3rd.

She attends school in the 200 Block of Avenue H south.

Nikita is described as 5'2", short black hair, and was last seen wearing a headband, beige bunnyhug, black shoes and a blue backpack.

Police are concerned Nikita may be involved in a high risk lifestyle.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Saskatoon Police Service at 975-8300.

Film Showing

2008-10-14T08:23:00.001-07:00

The Hookers documentary by Marcel Petit will be shown at an Aboriginal storytelling festival called Mispon in Regina Oct. 24-26.

Annual Vigil

2008-09-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 4th, 2008
"EVERYONE WELCOME”
Friendship Park (20th, Str West & 3rd/4th Ave South)
10:15 -10:45 a.m. Participants to gather in Park
10:45 -11:00 a.m. Prayer
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Walk to Egadz (301 – 1st Ave North)
11:30 - 12:15 p.m. Speakers at Egadz
11:30 a.m * Senator Lillian Dyck - Introduction
* Author, Professor Dr. Patricia Monture – Faculty Professor Sociology U of> S> *
* FSIN Vice Chief Glen Pratt – Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations>
* Police Chief Clive Weighill – Saskatoon City Police Services>
* Families of the Missing Persons – Myrna LaPlante, Pauline Muskego, &> others> * Panel> > 12:30 -1:00 p.m LUNCH at Egadz>
* provided by the office of Senator Lillian Dyck (lunch prepared by> Friendship Centre)Committee: Amnesty International, NWAC, Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik
For More Information contact Amnesty International 653-2212 or Helen> 717-5110>

Sisters in Spirit 3rd Annual Vigil

2008-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Oct 4, 2008 Regina

Sisters in Spirit 3rd annual vigil
7pm - 8pm

Amnesty International is supporting the SK Sisters in Spirit 3rd annual vigil in Victoria Park. Please join us for an evening to remember all the women (men and children) who have been taken and remain missing, and those who have been taken through violence/murder. This year we will have speakers sharing their stories, Elders sharing wisdom, and singers sharing their songs -- all to support healing and strength for those directly affected, and to raise awareness among the community of the need to "never forget" our missing/murdered loved ones. Bring a friend!

Note: the event is outdoors, rain or shine, please dress for whatever early October weather in SK might bring!

October 4, 2008 Saskatoon

Amnesty International, Iskwewak E-wichiwitochik, and the Native Women's Association of Canada invite you to a 'Sisters in Spirit Vigil': a remembrance of missing and murdered aboriginal women.
10:45am: Gather in Friendship Park,

11:00am walk to Egadz for lunch and remarks by Dr. Patricia Monture, Chief Clive Weighill, Family members of missing women.

For more information call 717-5110.

Emily Osmond (LaPlante)- media release

2008-09-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers and the Yorkton RCMP General InvestigationsSection are requesting the assistance of the public in the ongoingmissingperson investigation of Emily Osmond (LaPlante).
Ms. Osmond was last seen on September 9, 2007 by her hired help. MsOsmond's disappearance is suspicious as her vehicle, personal belongingsincluding her medication and her dogs were left unattended at her smallacreage located on the northern edge of the Kawacatoose First Nationcommunity. Ms Osmond lived a reclusive lifestyle and seldom had contactwith her family or friends. At the time of the disappearance, Ms Osmondwas78 years old, grey hair, glasses and walked with a cane.
Investigators have conducted a number of interviews and extensivesearchesof the area. The RCMP, along with the Osmond / LaPlante families, areasking the public to provide any information that could assist in theongoing missing person investigation of Emily Osmond (LaPlante).
If you have information, please call your local RCMP detachment orPoliceService or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), *8477 onSask-TelMobility Network or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com
Myrna LaPlante is the family contact and can be reached at (306)281-9621

How to add to this blog

2008-09-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

If you want to post any information to this blog for others to see, please send it to missingwomenconference@gmail.com with the subject title "Blog Entry" and I will add it to this site "as is". Please also include your "blog title" in the body of the email. The reason for taking this route is to ensure that discriminatory or prejudice material is not posted on our site. So take care and send any information that you think might be relevant (i.e. rallies, informational workshops, news, events, ideas, debriefing, email addresses, further affinity group discussions etc.).

Thanks and have a great day!

Chelsea