Speech #1100041275

Ultimately. she had no other option but to flee for her life. Rodis caseknown as Matter of R.A.has been pending for almost ten years. and although two successive Attorneys GeneralJanet Reno and John Ashcroft-" certified" the case to themselves. neither of them issued a definitive decision. In 2001. the immigration agency proposed regulations clarifying that domestic violence and other related harms could form the basis of an asylum claim. However. those regulations have yet to be finalized. and the lives of women like Rodi Alvarado. who have sought asylum in the U.S.. continue to hang in the balance. We ask you to strongly urge Attorney General Gonzales and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff to issue regulations which would clearly recognize that women in circumstances such as Rodi Alvarado qualify for protection as refugees. This would send a clear message that women and girls fleeing genderpersecution will find a safe haven in the U.S. Advancing protective U.S. asylum law is critical. but equally important is addressing the root causes that force women to flee their home countries. In Rodi Alvarados case. these causes are an epidemic of violence against Guatemalan women. more than 3.000 women and girls have been murdered since 2000. These gendermotivated killings or "femicides" are notable both for their brutality and for the virtual impunity of those responsible.