To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, Norwegian PEN is, together with other PEN Centres, focusing on the case of Mexican writer and journalist Lydia Cacho, right. Cacho currently faces trial under charges of criminal defamation related to her exposure of the connection between prominent businessmen and a child pornography in her latest book. (08-MAR-06)

This article, written by Ralph Pluimert, is based on articles of International PEN, Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International.

Cacho is both a journalist and the president of an organisation that fights for the rights of women and children. This organisation, called Centro Integral de Atención a las Mujeres (CIAM), provides shelter and legal and medical assistance to women and girls that have been victims of domestic violence. As a journalist, she has highlighted abuses suffered by women and children, and the impunity that those responsible often enjoy. Last year she published the book ‘The Demons of Eden’ alleging the involvement of important businessmen in a child pornography ring. One of the businessmen she named, textile magnate José Camel Nacif, filed a complaint of defamation against her because Cacho in her book revealed his relationship with alleged child pornographer Succar Kuri. The legal process that followed started in December 2005.

Political
Recent revelations, however, have raised doubts about the integrity of the Mexican judicial system and indicate a desire to silence Cacho and to influence the outcome of a “defamation” case against her. On February 14, 2006 several telephone conversations between Kamel Nacif Borge and Mario Marín, governor of the state of Puebla where the complaint against Cacho was filed, were revealed by the Mexican newpaper La Jornada. On these conversations the governor and Nacif were exposed discussing, amongst other things, putting Lydia Cacho in jail for her book and having her abused while in jail.

Charges should be dropped
In an appeal, which Norwegian PEN sent to the Mexican president and the minister of Internal Affairs, it states that Cacho has, according to Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to practice her profession as a journalist without juridical harassment and intimidation and that all charges against her should be dropped. It also urges the Mexican authorities to adopt the recommendation of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights and repeal the laws governing criminal defamation so that such matters can be dealt with in the civil courts and not in criminal courts. Finally it calls for those responsible for the ongoing death threats made against Cacho, to be brought to justice.

“Writing or reading a book on the abuse and trade of children is neither easy nor enjoyable. Nevertheless, it is more dangerous for society to remain silent about this phenomenon. Whilst society and the State looks on, thousands of children are victims of dealers who turn them into sexual objects to be traded and enjoyed by millions of men who find in child pornography and the sexual abuse of children a thing of delight which has no ethical repercussions”.
Lydia Cacho
Excerpt from: ´The Demons of Eden´ (2005)