Chiapas, Mexico Villages and Biosphere Reserve Threatened
9/10/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Emergency Action: Chiapas, Mexico
Source: Global Response "Quick Response Network"
P.O. Box 7490
Boulder CO, USA 80306-7490
Phone: 303/444-0306
Fax: 303/449-9794
http://www.globalresponse.org
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: September 10, 1999
Dear Members of the Global Response Quick Response Network:
This urgent request addresses multiple concerns: protection of an
important rainforest preserve, human rights, and indigenous rights.
It has to do with a pending military attack on Mayan Indian villages
in and near the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico.
Beyond Chiapas, the outcome of this situation has important
ramifications for rainforests and indigenous people worldwide.
BACKGROUND:
Chiapas is a region rich in natural resources (oil, natural gas,
rainforest, and agricultural land), yet its indigenous Mayan people,
who own much of the land communally, are extremely poor. The EZLN
(Zapatistas) organized in response to actions by the Mexican
government to remove the indigenous people from their villages and
appropriate their land for exploitation by multinational corporate
interests under NAFTA. Since 1994, the EZLN has mounted a strong
nonviolent resistance against brutal government actions against them.
The EZLN is unusual among guerrilla groups in several ways: They are
primarily indigenous. They don't seek political dominance, only to
be respected and allowed to pursue their way of life (sustainable
farming and preservation of their rainforest environment). Since
1994, they have renounced violence and have resisted government
violence by effective but peaceful means. They forbid the use of
alcohol or drugs. They respect the importance of freedom and
equality for women, and many of their key leaders are women. Their
goals include an ecological ethic: the preservation of the Lacandon
jungle. They have been extraordinarily effective in communicating
with all Mexicans and with the world at large, and they have held
international meetings to find solutions to the worldwide pattern of
corporate attacks on the environment and on indigenous people.
A bone of contention has been the San Andres accords, a compromise
agreement signed by the government and the EZLN after the 1994
uprising. The EZLN has followed the accords, and remained
nonviolent, but the government has ignored them, engaging in low
intensity warfare instead, directly and through paramilitary groups
under their control, and aided by massive arms shipments from the US,
who has strong financial interests in the area. This has meant
imprisonment, torture, rape, and massacres in indigenous EZLN
villages.
The EZLN continues to call for the government to observe the accords.
The government in turn downplays the violence, claims to be an
innocent bystander, and blames the EZLN for the problems.
CURRENT CRISIS:
Presidential elections are coming up next year, and the ruling party
is under extreme pressure to resolve the situation in Chiapas and to
free the region for international exploitation. Rather than peaceful
dialogue, the government seems to be seeking a military solution.
Recently there has been an abrupt increase in militarization of
indigenous communities in Chiapas.
The situation is critical and appears to be deteriorating. Since
August 14, about 16,450 Mexican Army personnel have surrounded
indigenous communities in and around the Montes Azules Biosphere
Reserve, where it is believed the EZLN are headquartered. A road is
being built through the Reserve, to aid in military maneuvers and to
facilitate the later logging of the Reserve.
Approximately thirty communities in the region are in a virtual state
of siege. On August 12, paratroopers invaded the community of Amador
Hernandez. When villagers peacefully protested this armed
occupation, they were attacked with tear gas at very close range,
seriously injuring eight indigenous men and women. The army seized
community lands and surrounded them with barbed wire. The community
is being terrorized by constant airplane and helicopter flights over
the area and by the presence of Public Security forces.
On August 21, a Mexican doctor and two human rights observers were
brutally beaten by government supporters who were blocking the road
immediately after a military checkpoint in the community of Vicente
Guerrero. They sexually assaulted the female doctor. So far, no
authority has responded to the formal complaints filed.
Among the units deployed in this jungle region are special forces
rapid deployment units; equipment includes US military helicopters,
81 millimeter mortars and long range 106 millimeter cannon. This
weaponry is capable of laying down a curtain of fire to support the
advance of infantry and groups specially trained to operate in jungle
zones.
The state government is encouraging government supporters to block
roads and prevent observers from entering the areas where the most
grave injustices have occurred, so no witnesses can attest to these
human rights violations.
Mexican immigration officials have expelled many foreign human rights
observers, and agents have been going through hotels in the principal
city of San Cristobal, searching for foreign travelers who are
sympathetic to the EZLN cause, who are then interrogated and
sometimes forced to leave the country.
Given the massive amount of armament supplied to the Mexican army by
the US (helicopters, armored vehicles, IR detectors, napalm, assault
weapons, etc.) and training by the US (the Mexican military is the
principle client of the infamous School of the Americas), any open
conflict would be short and decisive.
Indigenous people around the world are aware of this struggle and are
watching it closely for clues as to their own fate. On the other
side, Chiapas is considered to be a test case for similar resource
extraction elsewhere by major corporate interests. Because of the
high stakes involved, this is an especially crucial situation, with
broad implications for the environment and for human and indigenous
rights world-wide.
Although it is widely reported in Europe, almost nothing has appeared
in the US press so far. The current invasion was started within days
of the earthquake in Turkey, perhaps using our preoccupation with
that disaster to keep their actions out of the news. The developing
tragedy in East Timor will also provide cover for military actions in
Mexico.
REQUESTED ACTIONS
The principle protection remaining for these people and for their
rainforest environment is international scrutiny and protest. Human
rights, indigenous rights, and religious groups in Mexico and around
the world are urgently asking the international community for letters
of protest, asking the Mexican government to:
1. Demilitarize the state of Chiapas
2. Implement the San Andres peace accords
3. Respect human rights and the rights of journalists and human
rights observers.
The most effective is a letter (2d day priority is preferable) or
fax, next best is phone, and least effective is email. Because of
the time urgency, a call or fax is better than a letter. For your
own representative it is preferable to call and follow it with
written information.
These actions are suggested:
1. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. Inform them of the current crisis in
Chiapas and the possibility of open warfare. For US citizens:
a) Ask them to call the Mexican Embassy in Washington, DC, (Tel:
202-728-0694) and the State Department (202-647-8113) to register
their concerns.
b) Encourage them to contact the State Department with a
request that the State Department issue a statement calling on the
Mexican government to end the militarization of Chiapas, respect
human rights and implement the San Andres Accords.
c) Request that your Representative or an aide accompany the
Mexico Solidarity Network's emergency delegation to Chiapas,
September 16-21 (Tel: 773-583-7728 or 415-255-7296).
d) Ask them to sponsor a "Dear Colleague" letter to inform other
members of Congress about the situation. (A proposed first draft of a
"Dear Colleague" letter follows.)
For non-US citizens, take similar actions in your own country.
2. CONTACT THE MEXICAN EMBASSY in Washington, DC, (Tel: 202-728-
0694), the STATE DEPARTMENT (202-647-8113), and the MEXICAN CONSULATE
nearest you with the demands listed above. (For non-US citizens,
contact the Mexican embassy in your country.)
3. SEND LETTERS OR FAXES OF PROTEST TO MEXICAN OFFICIALS, or
telephone.
NOTE: Letters in English have been found to be more effective than
letters in Spanish.
NOTE: For overseas calls, dial 011 at the beginning instead of the
usual 1.
Lic. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio Nacional
06067 Mexico, DF - Mexico
Fax: 52 5 271 1764 / 5 515 4783
e-mail webadmon@op.presidencia.gob.mx (Address as "Sr.
Presidente:")
Please send or fax copies of your letter to Pres. Zedillo to:
Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos
Periferico Sur 3469001
Col. San Jeronimo
Deleg. Magdalena Contrers, Mexico D.F., MEXICO
FAX: 52 5 631 2633
e-mail cndh@laneta.apc.org
[National Human Rights Commission]
The United Nations (Mexico office)
Fax: 52 5 255 00 95
e-mail: bruno.guandalini@un.org.mx
Gobernador del Estado Chiapas
Roberto Albores Guillen
Palacio de Gobierno 1er piso
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas
Tel/fax 52 961 209 17/...124 18
E-mail: comsocgo@correo.chiapas.com
COCOPA
Paseo de la Reforma # 10, piso 17
06018 Mexico, D.F. - Mexico
Fax: 52 5 140 3288
[Mexican Congress Mediating Commission]
C mara de Diputados
Palacio Legislativo "San L zaro"
Av. Congreso de la Uni›n s/n,
C.P. 15690, Col. El Parque, M,xico, D.F.
Fax. 52 5 208 7863
SUGGESTED LETTER TEXT
(date)
(title)
(greeting)
I have received information concerning the latest actions of the
Mexican Federal Army and police in the Lacandon Jungle of Chiapas. I
consider these actions to be contributing to the tense climate in
Chiapas, while stifling the possibility of a true dialogue in the
region. If these operations are allowed to continue, they are likely
to cause violent eruptions between the security forces and Zapatista
solidarity bases, with unfortunate consequences for the PRI party and
for Mexico. I therefore respectfully ask you to:
* promptly end military-police operations in the Selva Lacandona, as
a clear message to promote dialogue in order to resolve the conflict
in Chiapas;
* order the immediate return of the soldiers to their barracks and
order the army to respect the rights and liberties of Mexican
citizens;
* ensure the respect of national and international observers and
journalists, and their
rights of free travel and free expression;
* implement the San Andres Accords.
Thank you for your attention in this vital matter.
Respectfully,
(your name)
Or, send a pre-composed fax in your name by contacting the Human
Rights Action Service at 314-725-5303, or by email at
slhras@igc.apc.org. Please provide your name, address, phone, and
credit card number, and refer to PBI ERN messages concerning Chiapas.
The cost is $5.00 per fax.
4. (US Citizens) CALL OTHERS and inform them of the situation,
requesting them to respond immediately and appropriately.
1) John Dawson, Director's Office of Mexican Affairs, or
Kevin Whttaker, Deputy.
Telephone: (202) 647-8113 Fax: (202) 647-5752
2) Peter Romero, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Western
Hemisphere.
Telephone: (202) 647-5779
3) Thomas Pickering, Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Telephone: (202) 647-2471
5. INFORM OTHERS through op ed pieces, letters to the editor, and by
contacting your newspapers and asking them to carry more news about
Mexico and Latin America.
Media Sources for newspapers:
- La Jornada (525) 262-4356 (can use anything with proper
acknowledgment)
- Good up to date information, including English translations
of La Jornada articles, appears at
http://burn.ucsd.edu/archives/chiapas-l/.
(It also contains some miscellaneous chit-chat.)
- Susan Ferriss is quite good:
www.coxnews.com/washington/susanf.htm.
susan@coxnews.com
- Nuevo Amanecer Press (newsrooms can get on their list and
receive releases automatically). email: amanecer@aa.net Web:
www.nap.cuhm.mx/nap0.htm
- Reuters at 800-537-6865
- L. A. Weekly: www.laweekly.com
6. DEMONSTRATE at Mexican consulates or other appropriate places.
Demand an end to the militarization of Chiapas, respect for human
rights and immediate implementation of the San Andres Accords.
7. JOIN THE EMERGENCY DELEGATION to Chiapas, September 16-21. For
more information,
please contact the Mexico Solidarity Network at 773-583-7728 or
Global Exchange at
15-255-7296 ext. 236 or 239.
--------------------------------
SAMPLE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER (Or use it yourself)
Dear Colleague,
I write to inform you of a rapidly deteriorating situation in
Chiapas, Mexico, that could explode into an all-out shooting war.
During the last few weeks, 16,450 Mexican troops invaded the Lacandon
region of Chiapas, adding to the existing troops and government-
supported paramilitary.
Approximately thirty communities in the region are now in a virtual
state of siege.
On August 12, paratroopers invaded the Indian village of Amador
Hernandez.
When villagers peacefully protested this armed occupation, they were
attacked with tear gas at very close range, seriously injuring eight
indigenous men and women. The army seized community nearby and
surrounded them with barbed wire. The community is being terrorized
by constant airplane and helicopter flights over the area and by the
presence of Public Security forces.
On August 21, a Mexican doctor and two human rights observers were
brutally beaten by government supporters who were blocking the road
immediately after a military checkpoint in the community of Vicente
Guerrero. They sexually assaulted the female doctor. So far, no
authority has responded to the formal complaints filed.
Mexican immigration officials have expelled many human rights
observers, and agents have been going through hotels in the principal
city of San Cristobal, searching for foreign travelers who are
sympathetic to the EZLN cause, who are then interrogated and
sometimes forced to leave the country.
Tensions are escalating rapidly, and PRI supporters throughout the
state appear to be out of control. The ruling PRI party is
encouraging a vigilante mentality that threatens to spiral out of
control and destabilize the entire state. Rather than supporting the
peace process, as exemplified by the San Andres accords, the PRI
appears to be opting for a military solution in Chiapas. The results
could be devastating for hundreds of thousands of Indians who openly
align themselves with the Zapatistas, for Mexican citizens throughout
the country who support the rule of law, for the US, which will
experience a dramatic increase in undocumented immigration if events
spiral out of control in Chiapas, and for international investors who
count on stability to protect their investments.
It is imperative that the Mexican government 1. Demilitarize the
state of Chiapas
2. Implement the San Andres peace accords
3. Respect human rights and the rights of journalists and human
rights observers.
Sincerely,
-------------------------------------
For more information, please contact the Mexico Solidarity Network at
773-583-7728 or Global Exchange at 415-255-7296 ext. 236 or 239.