Kaptur Welcomes Rights Panel Decision To Accept Petition in FLOC Murder Case

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today welcomed the decision by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to grant a preventive measure petition in the wake of the murder of Santiago Rafael Cruz in Monterrey, Mexico on April 9.

Congresswoman Kaptur had urged the Commission last week, in a letter that was also signed by U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-California) and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), to accept the petition in order to guarantee the safety of members of the Toledo-based Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) who continue to promote workers rights in Mexico.

“The decision by the Inter-American Commission represents an important step in protecting FLOC workers who remain in Mexico,” said Congresswoman Kaptur.  “We must do everything we can, explore every opportunity, for protecting workers rights and human rights in Monterrey and everywhere else in Mexico.”

Congresswoman Kaptur also joined FLOC President Baldemar Velasquez in urging law enforcement officials in the state of Nuevo Leon to conduct a complete, thorough and impartial investigation into the murder of Mr. Cruz.

According to the petition, the IACHR has instructed the Government of Mexico to “adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical security” of FLOC staff workers in Monterrey and to keep the Commission informed of the status of the investigation into the murder of Mr. Cruz, a former Toledo resident.

FLOC officials said they are waiting to hear from the Mexican government to negotiate what preventive measures are needed and how soon they can be implemented.

The Inter-American Commission is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States.