An inquest into the death of Lucia Vega Jimenez, a Mexican woman who died in Vancouver after she was found hanging from a shower stall in the custody of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the Vancouver Airport, has been called by the Coroners Service in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
It appears the Vancouver hotel worker was arrested for an unpaid transit fare at the beginning of December 2013. She was then transferred to the custody of CBSA for deportation and held at the Vancouver Airport detention centre where she hanged herself on December 20. Eight days later she died.
Her death only became public at the end of January (2014).
Mexican Consul General Claudia Frano Hijuelos said Vega Jimenez had been fearful about returning to Mexico, not because of the country, but because of a domestic situation she might face.
“We are angered by what happened, and we expect answers from the authorities that have jurisdiction in this case,” said the Consul General.
On February 5, a coalition of legal, migrant, and women’s groups called for “a full, transparent, independent civilian inquiry and inquest into the death of Lucia Vega Jiménez while under CBSA custody.” The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) questioned the lack of oversight of CBSA conduct.
The Association also raised concerns about reports of a confidentiality agreement between the woman’s sister and CBSA. As well it raised concerns that a private security company was responsible for security in the Vancouver airport detention centre.
The coroner’s inquest is scheduled to begin on September 29, 2014 presided over by Margaret Janzen and a jury.
According to the coroner’s service, they will “hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding the death. An inquest jury may not, by law, make any findings of fault or legal responsibility; however, it will have the opportunity to make recommendations related to the evidence presented.”
More information:
BC Coroners Service press release – BC Coroners Service calls inquest into death of Mexican detainee (pdf) – here
CBC News – Lucia Vega Jimenez’s CBSA custody death going to inquest – here
BCCLA press release – BCCLA: troubling report that CBSA got confidentiality agreement from deceased woman’s family – here
BCCLA press release – Groups call for independent investigation into Jiménez’s death in custody; deliver petition with 7,000 signatures to CBSA offices – here
Toronto Star – Mexican woman’s death prompts calls for civilian oversight of border agency – here
Change.org petition – here
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