Mexico apologises to rape victim
- 13 years ago
Valentina Rosendo was just 17 when she was raped by two Mexican soldiers.
That was in 2002.
After years of death threats and harassment as she fought for justice she's finally won a public government apology.
SOUNDBITE: Mexico's Interior Minister Alejandro Poire saying (Spanish):
"The state did not protect or seek justice for Valentina Rosendo Cantu. Today the Mexican state recognises its responsibilities and acts accordingly."
Mexico was ordered to apologise by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Rosendo's welcomed the official apology.
SOUNDBITE: Valentina Rosendo, rape victim, saying (Spanish):
"I liked what he said because I had expected this for many years and at last it came. For me and for many women we're sending out a message that this is possible despite life's difficult paths and the years of being abandoned by many people, but I also met a lot of people along the way."
The court's also ordered payment of compensation and an investigation into the attack on Rosendo.
Her lawyers say it's now time to track down the soldiers who raped her.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
That was in 2002.
After years of death threats and harassment as she fought for justice she's finally won a public government apology.
SOUNDBITE: Mexico's Interior Minister Alejandro Poire saying (Spanish):
"The state did not protect or seek justice for Valentina Rosendo Cantu. Today the Mexican state recognises its responsibilities and acts accordingly."
Mexico was ordered to apologise by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Rosendo's welcomed the official apology.
SOUNDBITE: Valentina Rosendo, rape victim, saying (Spanish):
"I liked what he said because I had expected this for many years and at last it came. For me and for many women we're sending out a message that this is possible despite life's difficult paths and the years of being abandoned by many people, but I also met a lot of people along the way."
The court's also ordered payment of compensation and an investigation into the attack on Rosendo.
Her lawyers say it's now time to track down the soldiers who raped her.
Paul Chapman, Reuters