Documento - Mexico: Amnesty International Secretary General visits the country -- Itinerary UPDATE

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Media Advisory

AI Index: AMR 41/041/2007 (Public)

News Service No: 145

30 July 2007

Mexico: Amnesty International Secretary General visits the country -- Itinerary UPDATE

Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan will lead a High Level Mission to Mexico commencing on 31 July.

Amnesty International's (AI) delegation will include: Susan Lee, Director of the Americas Programme; Judit Arenas, Head of the Office of the Secretary General; Rupert Knox, Researcher on Mexico and Nancy Tapias-Torrado, Campaigner on Mexico.

This is the third time Irene Khan leads a visit to Mexico since 2003 and the first to take place under the new administration.

The delegation's activities include:

Tuesday 31 July -- Oaxaca

10:00 - 14:00 -- AI will meet survivors and relatives of victims of human rights violations committed during the ongoing crisis and women's organizations working on issues of violence against women in the state.

14:00 - 16:00 -- Media Briefing: AI’s delegation will launch the report Mexico. Oaxaca: Clamour for Justice. Journalist will also have an opportunity to interview survivors of human rights violations in the context of the ongoing crisis in Oaxaca. Casa de la Iglesia de los Pobres. Escuela Naval Militar, esquina con Heroico. Colegio Militar (detrás del templo de Nuestra Señora de los Pobres), Oaxaca, México.

16:00 - 17:00 -- AI’s delegation will meet with members of the State Cabinet. There will be an opportunity for media interviews after this meeting. Hotel Fiesta Inn, AV Universidad 140, ex Hacienda Candían, Plaza de Bahias

A meeting with Governor Ulises Ruiz is being confirmed.

Journalists are invited to join Amnesty International’s visit to Oaxaca provided they organize their own travel.

Wednesday 1 August -- DF

AM -- AI will host an event with survivors of human rights violations from across Mexico regarding their struggle for justice and the need for urgent action to address human rights issues in Mexico. Club de Periodistas, Filomeno Mata No. 8, Colonia Centro Historico, Delegacion Cuauhtémoc, México DF.

11.00 hrs -- The event will be opened to the media and journalist are invited to hear testimonies from survivors of human rights violations.

The event will be followed by a media briefing at which Irene Khan will present AI's general human rights concerns in Mexico and the overall expectations of the mission. AI will also issue a summary of human rights concerns in Mexico. Survivors of human rights violations will also be available for media interviews. Club de Periodistas, Filomeno Mata No. 8, Colonia Centro Historico, Delegacion Cuauhtémoc, México DF.

Thursday 2 August -- DF

10:00 - 10:30 -- AI's delegation will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss Mexico's role in the protection of human rights internationally. Plaza Juarez 20, Colonia Centro, México DF.

11:00 - 12:00 -- AI's delegation will meet the Minister of Interior to discuss AI’s concerns regarding human rights in Mexico. Bucareli No. 99, Edificio Cobián, 1er Piso, Juárez Cuauhtémoc, México DF.

17:30 - 18:30 -- Irene Khan will lead a meeting with Mexico's National Supreme Court to discuss the role of the judiciary in addressing human rights violations in Mexico. Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación, 2º piso, en la oficina del ministro presidente o auditorio, Av Pino Suarez 2, México DF.

Friday 3 August -- DF

10:00 - 11:00 -- AI’s delegation will meet with Public Security Minister.

12:00 - 14:30 -- Irene Khan will meet legislators to discuss the need for judicial and constitutional reforms and to highlight the role of the legislature in scrutinizing the implementation of human rights policy and practice. Av Congreso de la Union 66, Colonia El Parque, Delegacion Venustiano Carranza, México DF.

Saturday 4 August -- Guerrero

AI’s delegation will visit communities threatened with eviction or otherwise affected by the proposed La Parota Hydroelectric Dam near Acapulco.

09:00 -- Aguacaliente

10:30 -- Tasajeras

13:30 -- Dos Arroyos

15:00 -- Los Huajes

18:00 -- Acapulco

Press Conference-- Irene Khan will host a press conference in which she will present a new report on AI's concerns regarding the consequences of the construction of the dam on local communities. Hotel Las Hamacas, Costera Miguel Aleman 239, Centro Acapulco, Guerrero.

Journalists are invited to join Amnesty International’s visit to Oaxaca provided they organize their own travel.

Tuesday 7 August -- DF

09:30 - 10:10 -- Irene Khan will meet President Calderon to discuss Amnesty International’s concerns regarding human rights in Mexico. Residencia Oficial de los Pinos.

10:30 - 11:00 -- Media Briefing. AI’s delegation will brief journalists about the result of the meeting and the conclusions of the mission. Location to be confirmed.

End of mission.

NOTE TO PLANNING DESKS AND EDITORS

Events are shown in local time.
The itinerary is subjected to last minute changes -- please check with the press office before making arrangements to cover any of the events listed.
Irene Khan will be available for comment after each meeting. She is available for one-to-one interviews. To arrange an interview please contact the delegation's press office in advance.
Press releases, briefings and photos will be issued on most days. For copies, please log on to www.amnesty.org or contact the press office.