On Wednesday, the Superior Court of Justice of Tlaxcala (TSJ) released Keren Selsy Ordóñez Hernández, a young woman from Veracruz, after more than 9 years in prison. This occurred after her and her defense's appeal was resolved in her favor. Keren had been sentenced to 50 years in prison in September 2024 by the Judge of the Traditional Criminal System and Specialized in Adolescent Justice Administration of the State of Tlaxcala. All of this happened without an arrest warrant, when she was detained with her newborn baby by elements of the former Federal Police and the Ministerial Police of Tlaxcala.
Keren's case was marked by multiple irregularities and discrimination she faced during her criminal process. Organizations such as the Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (Prodh) highlighted that Keren was a "survivor of torture who faced an unjust accusation." Despite being forced to sign a ministerial statement in which she supposedly admitted her participation in a kidnapping, multiple violations of her human rights were documented through the application of the Istanbul Protocol.
Keren's release was celebrated by various human rights organizations that accompanied her during her case, including Centro Prodh. Judge Mary Cruz Cortés Ornelas prepared the project that culminated in Keren's release, approved unanimously by the Criminal Chamber of the TSJ. The joint statement from the organizations supporting Keren highlights that this victory symbolizes a step forward in the fight for justice, although it emphasizes that many women remain unjustly detained in the country.
Keren, who will now be able to reunite with her nine-year-old daughter and her family, was kept away from them during her imprisonment, evidencing how women face an unequal justice system. Centro Prodh plans to provide more details about the case next week, detailing the process that ultimately led to Keren's release. Now, with her freedom regained, Keren will be able to resume her life project and start a new phase with her family.
