Thank you from Anastasio Hernández Rojas' widow, Maria Puga
On November 4th, 2022 the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) heard testimony from the family of Anastasio Hernández Rojas, who was a longtime San Diego resident until border agents tortured and killed him on May 28, 2010 in front of dozens of people without any consequence, leaving his family without justice. This is the first case opened against the United States for an extrajudicial killing.
During the hearing, instead of responding to grave allegations of human rights violations — the torture and killing of Anastasio, the coverup of evidence, and the denial of justice to the family — the United States insisted that the Commission dismiss the case. They did not answer any of the questions posed by the Commissioners — none — including whether the United States recognized the international prohibition of torture.
The parties now have 30 days to respond in writing to the questions posed by Commissioners and provide additional evidence in the case. The IACHR will then take the case into final deliberation before issuing a decision, most likely in 2023.