Source: En Vero (English)
Authors: David Bertet (president), Moises Castello (Director of the International Affairs Department)
May 31, 2017
Translation: Ingrid S. (Original version in Spanish on March 26, 2016)
Open Letter to the Mexican Public Opinion
Montreal, Canada,
March 26, 2016
Directory of Grupo Formula
Directory of La Razón
Directory of Letra Roja
Mr. Ciro Gómez Leyva (Radio Formula)
Mr. Carlos Jiménez (La Razón)
According to our right to respond to the allegations made by Mrs. Maria Isabel Miranda Torres on March 24, 2016, and published by the media: Letra Roja, Radio Formula and la Razón, describing the Canadian Association for Right and Truth as “frivolous”, we wish to express the following:
It is precisely because of the seriousness of our work that we have decided not to enter into the sterile debate in which Mrs. Maria Isabel Miranda Torres has challenged us to engage. Neither will we consider the president of Alto al secuestro (Stop the Kidnapping) as a credible interlocutor to seriously address the critical issue of the human rights in Mexico, particularly of those whose rights have been violated.
We believe in the possibility of implementing in Mexico a fair criminal justice system, in accordance with international standards as well as with the highest human values; a system that be scrupulously respectful the presumption of the accused’s innocence and the right for a fair trial for everyone.
We wish to emphasize that, even though the Canadian Association for Right and Truth advocates for transparency and free flow of information, other opinions exist, such as those of Mrs. Maria Isabel Miranda Torres. Far from meeting the challenges of human rights faced by Mexicans, particularly the widespread use of torture, her opinions not only puts the country in a serious situation but also impairs the quality and the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
The Canadian Association for Right and Truth has always advocated for strict obtainment of evidence due to careful investigation of the files given to us. The files that correspond to our mission’s mandate, consisting in defending the wrongfully convicted, are being selected. In this respect, we always seek the strict reality of facts. We facilitate the knowledge of the truth, so that people, who are to freely take a legal decision based on an impartial assessment of the facts, may be able to do it.
We understand that our work in favor of the victims of human rights violations could generate emotions. Nonetheless, in our opinion, we cannot, nor do we wish to, allow these emotions and opinions to stray us from our path to the truth and the liberty for the countless innocent people who are wrongly imprisoned in the world and whom we have decided to represent.
Finally, it should be noted that our organization does not, and will never receive financial rewards from our defendants or from our defendants’ families. Our only interest is the truth and justice, as well as the essence of our mission.
Thank you for your attention.
David Bertet
Moises Castello
Canadian Association for Right and Truth
www.ac-dv.org
1 Article 7 of the law regulating Article 60, first paragraph of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States.
