Lydia Cacho is a Mexican journalist and human rights defender. In 2005, she published a book denouncing a paedophile network in which businessmen and high profile politicians were involved. The book received significant attention throughout the country and Cacho became a target for reprisals. Initially, this took the form of abusive legal action – a criminal libel suit was taken out against her – but she was also illegally detained and tortured. She has been subjected to ongoing threats and harassment.
MLDI provided backing to the Mexican branch of the freedom of expression group, Article 19, to take up her case and bring a complaint to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission issued an interim ruling in 2009 ordering the Mexican government to take protective measures, and Article 19 is now working with the government to implement those measures and investigate her complaints of illegal detention and torture.
