Thirteen years have passed since Human Rights Defenders Bety Cariño from Mexico and Jyri Jaakkola from Finland were murdered as part of a humanitarian caravan, supporting the autonomous community of San Juan Copala in the Triqui region of Oaxaca, Mexico. Thirteen years of impunity, suffering and the fight for justice.

Yesterday I opened an art exhibition at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in honor and memory of Bety and Jyri.

I was extremely happy and honored to welcome guests from Mexico and Finland who have been on the forefront of the fight for justice for Bety and Jyri in all these years.

Satu Hassi, former member of the European parliament (MEP) from Finland, who pushed with me and other MEPs for political recognition of the case in the EU and Mexico, gave some introductory words.

David Peña and Karla Micheel Salas Ramirez, the committed lawyers of the victims, and Sara Méndez and Philipp Gerber, members of Mexican NGOs (CODIGO DH & EDUCA) who have tirelessly worked on the case, were there and spoke on their work.

Eeva-Leena Jaakkola, the mother of Jyri Jaakkola, and Omar Esparza, the husband of Bety Cariño, shared their emotional and hopeful testimonies.

More information

The exhibition can be visited until Thursday, 14th of December, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The exhibition catalog can be downloaded here.