The following message contains:"
1.) Press release from Global Exchange
2.) Notes from SIPAZ (Global Exchange is a member of the SIPAZ Coalition)
1. PRESS RELEASE - San Cristobal de las Casas, 4 January 1998.
The Mexican Commission for the Defence and Promotion of Human Rights,
Global Exchange, Enlace Civil and CIUSPAZ-EPA carried out an observation
mission today in the communities of Acteal and Polho, municipality of
Chenalho, and in Oventic, municipality of San Andres, where they
established the following:
1. The community of Oventic is semi-deserted. The few remaining families
and civil peace campers that remain said that the majority of Oventicís
population had evacuated due to the fear of occupation by units of the
Federal Army. They also reported that a military aeroplane had flown very
low over the community on the 3rd and 4th of January, increasing the fear
of its inhabitants. The mission also noted that approximately 30 soldiers
from the Federal Army were patrolling paths less than one kilometre from
Oventic.
2. The approximately 6,000 refugees that have taken refuge in Polho
continue to lack many of their basic necessities. Lack of food, medicines
and adequate living space continues to cost lives. This morning a
two-month-old baby, Cecilia Jimenez, died of pneumonia. Soldiers and state
police maintain the road-block that they set up at the entrance to the
community. One kilometre away, in the community of Majomut, a military camp
displayed a banner with the words ìSocial Workî written on it in big
letters. Its installations complete with military hardware, however,
stretched for over 200 metres along the road-side.
3. The inhabitants of Acteal, where the 45 indigenous people were
massacred, are scared by the constant visits of military personnel and
civilians claiming to be from the Attorney Generalís Office. The intruders
bring cameras and video equipment into the community without first asking
their permission on the pretext that they are carrying out investigations
related to the events of 22 December. They also tried to intimidate members
of the Civil Peace Camp when they questioned their incursion into the
community.
The members of the mission also noted the enormous increase in military
presence in Los Altos. As many as five military camps were visible from the
road between Chenalho and the community of Acteal, a distance of
approximately 25 kilometres. This number excludes the military check-point
at the entrance to Polho and the one that has been recently set up at the
community of Xoyeb. Army units are in constant movement along the road and
on cross country paths, thus increasing tension and the fear of an imminent
attack on EZLN communities.
As for Acteal, the mission demands that the Attorney General's Office
respect the inhabitants of the community, that its officials identify
themselves to its authorities, and that they declare the purpose of their
visits. They also demand that they abandon their arrogant and intimidatory
attitude when dealing with the community and that they cease to be
accompanied by the army. Our interviews with peace campers and members of
the community have shown that their frequent visits and incursions into the
community have only served to generate an increased level of fear in its
inhabitants.
It also urgently calls for the International Red Cross to bring
humanitarian assistance to the thousands of displaced people that are
suffering from cold and hunger.
Convinced that the heavy military presence that they have witnessed is not
helping to bring about an end to the conflict, the mission supports the
proposals that have been put forward by well known academics and
intellectuals for a peaceful solution. It also calls on the federal
government to respect the law on Dialogue and Pacification in Chiapas and
to fulfill the San Andres Accords on Indigenous Rights and Autonomy.
2. SIPAZ notes
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
January 3, 1998
Chiapas: A Step Away from the Point of No Return
Despite the massive presence of national security forces (State and federal
police and the Mexican Army) the recent massacre in the village of Acteal
that shocked Mexico and the entire world has marked just the beginning of a
new wave in the escalation of violence in Chiapas.
What we are seeing could be the final push for a "once-and-for-all"
neutralization of the Zapatistas.
In the last days of 1997 and the first days of 1998, several communities
thought to be sympathetic with the Zapatistas were subjected to intense
harassment. Although more than three thousand new troops have been
deployed in the municipality of Chenhalo, their presence appeared to be not
so much to investigate the massacre, but rather to occupy and control EZLN
territory.
On January 3, several conflicting press reports were released concerning
the Federal Army's "occupation" of the Zapatista stronghold, La Realidad.
In a press conference that evening, Gonzalo Ituarte, Secretary of the
National Mediation Commission, said the occupation of the civil resistance
center for several hours had been confirmed by several sources.
Considering the number of confrontations, overhead flights, and military
incursions into EZLN-held territory, it is clear that there has been a
systematic wave of misinformation that has added to the generalized
confusion and anxiety. It would appear, however, that if the rumors are
confirmed, the Mexican Army might be acting in violation of the "Law for
Dialogue for Reconciliation and Peace in Chiapas".
It is inconceivable that with the imposing police and military presence in
the area that violent acts continue to interfere with a proper
investigation of the massacre. It is unconscionable that a team from the
Network of NGOs and Human Rights Organizations offering legal aid and also
another group of peasants delivering humanitarian aid were blocked by
PRI-sympathizers from reaching the thousands of stranded, displaced
victims at Polho.
In Xoyep, witnesses reported that several refugees were beaten "on their
faces and feet" by the military following a civilian protest that occurred
when on January 2, a military detachment set up camp by the town water well.
Civic organizations have expressed concerns that the Seventh Regional
Division of the military intends to intensify patrols and search operations
in the "conflict area" (the Lacandon Jungle, the Northern Zone and the
Highlands) where the Zapatista bases are located. A military operation
against the Zapatistas is expected, similar to that which took place in
February 1995.
We ask that the national and international communities be aware of these
developments. Unimaginable atrocities could easily occur in these
"no-man's lands" that would only lead to more anguish and confusion. The
situation is most critical. The authorities must act responsibly and with
absolute clarity to avoid bringing the situation to a point of no return
that history will forever regret.
Given the tenuous situation, most probably we will be issuing an Urgent
Action requesting your intervention to urge that the conflicts of Chiapas
be resolved through dialogue and understanding.
The SIPAZ team
International Service for Peace (Servicio Internacional para la Paz or
SIPAZ) is a response from the international community to the shared sense
among many Mexican sectors that international opinion can contribute to the
search for peaceful solutions, through dialogue, to the conflict in Chiapas.
Contact information for SIPAZ:
SIPAZ Servicio Internacional para la Paz
Calle Dr. J. Felipe Flores, 38
Santa Lucia, San Cristóbal de las Casas
Chiapas, 29250, Mexico
Tel/Fax (967) 80381
E-mail sipaz@laneta.apc.org
http://www.nonviolence.org/sipaz