Risking Her Own Life to Defend Women and Children, Mexican Journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro to Receive Ginetta Sagan Human Rights Award from Amnesty International USA

“A leading defender of the rights of women and children in Mexico, journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro risks her life to shelter women from abuse and challenge powerful government and business leaders who profit from child prostitution and pornography. In recognition of her human rights work, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) announced on March 8, International Women’s Day, that Cacho will receive the 2007 Ginetta Sagan Award.

An investigative journalist and a specialist on gender-based violence, Cacho founded and directs the Refuge Center for Abused Women of Cancun and is also the president of the Center for Women’s Assistance. These centers do not turn away any woman or child seeking protection. Many of these women and girls are fleeing from violent criminals. Consequently Cacho faces threats and danger on a daily basis. In 1999, Cacho was raped at a bus station in an attempt to intimidate her and stop her work. This incident only emboldened her further to protect and advance the rights of women and children in a country where impunity for crimes is widespread and commonly accepted as part of daily life.

“Human rights work, especially when it challenges powerful individuals and institutions, remains extremely dangerous,” said Julianne Cartwright Traylor, Co-chair of the Ginetta Sagan Award committee of AIUSA. “The Ginetta Sagan Award aims to recognize, honor and assist women who, often at great personal risk, commit themselves to protect and advance the rights of others. This year, we are delighted to honor Lydia Cacho, who embodies the spirit and purpose of the award.”

Cacho’s 2004 book, Los Demonios del Eden: el poder detras de la pornografia infantile (The Demons of Eden: the power behind child pornography) prompted repeated threats against her life and judicial harassment to silence her effort to give voice to the victims. On December 16, 2005, Cacho was arrested and denied access to her lawyer and medicine. She spent the night in prison and was then released on bail of $9,900.

Andrea Damesyn Claburn, a close friend of Ginetta Sagan and co-chair of the award committee, said: “Just as Ginetta Sagan risked her life to defend human rights, Lydia Cacho displays immense strength in the face of terrible threats and intimidation. Her courage is an inspiration to women everywhere.”

In response to the intimidation tactics, Cacho filed a counter-suit for corruption and for violation of her human rights. She became the first woman in Mexico to file a federal suit against a governor, district attorney and a judge for corruption and attempted rape in prison.

Cacho’s life is repeatedly threatened and she has to travel with armed guards. Despite these dangers, she continues to champion the advancement of human rights for all children and women through her writing and advocacy work.

Cacho said, “To expose the criminals who destroy the lives of women and children is not enough; it is imperative to challenge the powers that be in order to stop impunity and corruption in Mexico. We do not ask for revenge, but rather for accountability for the criminals and the politicians that manipulate the justice system for money, thus sacrificing human rights and human lives. Ginetta Sagan’s spirit is walking on my side with this award, and her presence strengthens me to stay near the victims and to keep telling them, ‘your life matters to us; recovering your safety and your happiness matters to us.’”

Cacho will receive the Sagan award at AIUSA’s annual general meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 23-25, then will begin a speaking tour of U.S. cities.

About the Ginetta Sagan Fund

Established as a living memorial to human rights activist and prominent AIUSA member Ginetta Sagan, whose lifelong work began with the Italian resistance during World War II, the Fund annually bestows an award of $10,000 to recognize and assist a woman doing effective work to protect the dignity, liberties and lives of women and children in crisis regions where abuse of human rights is widespread.

The award serves to:

* recognize outstanding achievement, often at great personal risk
* enhance the recipient’s ability to live and work freely
* protect the recipient’s capacity to continue her work
* bring increased international scrutiny to the crisis region or issue for which the recipient works

About Amnesty International USA

Founded in London in 1961, Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement of 1.8 million members. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Amnesty International undertakes research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work overall to promote all human rights. Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the U.S. Section of Amnesty International.

Cacho’s U.S. Speaking Tour Dates

* March 23-25 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Amnesty International USA Annual General Meeting, (Award presentation)
* March 26-27 Events in Chicago
* March 28-29 Events in San Francisco
* March 30 Events in Los Angeles
* March 31 Events in Fullerton, CA
* April 1-3 Events in Washington, DC
* April 4-6 Events in New York City
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