UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ENDS VISIT TO EL SALVADOR AND GUATEMALA

The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Yakin Ertürk, has completed a visit to El Salvador and Guatemala (2 to14 February 2004) undertaken at the invitation of both Governments.

The objective of the mission was to study the causes and consequences of violence against women in the region and formulate recommendations for an effective response to the phenomenon. It was her first field mission since her appointment as Special Rapporteur in August 2003. The Special Rapporteur also received an invitation from the Government of Mexico; however the visit had to be postponed until a mutually convenient date.

During her mission to El Salvador, conducted from 2 to 7 February, the Special Rapporteur visited San Salvador, Jicilisco in the Department of Usulutan and Olocuitta in the Department of La Paz.

During her mission to Guatemala, conducted from 8 to 14 February, she visited Guatemala City, Chimaltenango, Solola and Quetzaltenango. The Special Rapporteur also visited the female prison in San Salvador and the Santa Teresa Detention Centre in Guatemala City. The Special Rapporteur had extensive consultations and received information from governmental authorities, public institutions, members of the criminal justice system, members of parliament as well as representatives of human rights, indigenous and women’s organizations, academics, survivors of violence and families of victims. She also met with UN agencies and representatives of the donor community.

Ms. Ertürk will present her preliminary findings orally during the sixtieth session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, which opens on 15 March 2004. The final report of the mission will be issued later in the year and will be taken up by the Commission in 2005.