Injustice in Mexican City of Juarez, Essay Example

“Ciudad Juarez is one of the deadliest cities in Mexico, and the country is one of the most dangerous for journalists. The violence stems from turf wars between rival cartels and battles between the cartels and the Mexican authorities,” goes in the article by CNN dated September 16, 2010. It describes the current situation in the dangerous city and the journalist attack where one was murdered and second one injured.According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the journalist that was killed in September is the ninth one murdered in Mexico during the past year. This number is shocking in the light of current democratic trends of human rights. Therefore, if we praise the global freedom of speech, it is essential to pay attention to all the corners of the world and assist those who are still in struggle against the oppressors and injustice.

City of Juarez bears a very controversial history. Being sadly famous for “the feminicidios” and “las muertas de Juarez” the city involves violent deaths and killings of hundreds of females since 1993. Keeping in mind that the estimated homicide toll of Juarez authorities note to be about 400, local residents strongly disagree and believe that the real number reaches 5 000 women. “No one knows why the crimes remain unresolved. The police are suspected to be involved, which is why the state government is so slow to act and legally the federal government could only step in once a witness gave evidence of organ trafficking”. (Catalog Magazine) These facts have been revealed to the world by the journalists in a hope of intervention and assistance to the needy. Therefore, annually many of them at the cost of their lives come to Juarez, research and write. The journalist who was murdered in September apparently was preparing a material that local gangs did not want printed or spoken about.

The drug war that goes on in Mexico is very big news but people cannot forget about the innocent women who are being murdered along the border. “According to the Organization of American State’s Interamerican Commission on Human Rights:”The victims of these crimes have preponderantly been young women, between 12 and 22 years of age. Many were students, and most were maquiladora workers. In most of these cases there were signs of sexual violence, abuse, torture or in some cases mutilation”. (Chicago Now)

As the family groups and associations appear in Juarez to bring awareness and protection to the women of the city, local and international organizations must pay more attention to the problem. The cry for help continues. There exist some crimes in Juarez that have gone unsolved for almost 13 years. If Mexican government cannot take care of the current situation it must seek assistance from its neighbors, particularly from the US that is a worldwide example of human rights obedience.  “Large American corporations are partially to blame for the moral chaos in Juárez. The sprawling industrial district is filled with over 300 factories assembling American products for Mattel, Sony, Hyundai, and other large multi-national companies using cheap, sweat-shop labor”.  (Lucky Magazine)

The part of the problem of killings lies in the very environment of the city Juarez. Being the headquarters of a major drug cartel, it is well suited for lawlessness and violence. Another common belief bears religious character, namely region’s machismo culture. Despite the fact that the attacked women come from working class or are school girls, there is a strong belief that the victims invite the attacks.  But no matter the reason it is clearly understandable that the city of Juarez needs some strong help. Reading about ongoing murders of women by bus drivers or gangs should not only cause disgust in our minds but bring action. The city needs more help. Women who are suffering in that city are waiting for the support.

Works Cited

CNN Wire Staff. One Journalist Killed, Second Injured in Juarez Shooting. CNN. Web. September 16, 2010.

Donohoe, Pheona. Women of Juarez. Lucky Magazine:30-31. Print. July 21,2004.

James, Crystal. Deadly Shadows. Catalog Magazine: 12. Print. August 2005.

Puente, Teresa. First Ladies Michelle Obama and Margarita Zavala are Smart and Stylish. But They Should Tackle Tougher Topics Like the Murder of Women in Juarez. Chicago Now. Web.April 14, 2010.