0EACE "RIGADES )NTERNATIONAL
IN -ÏXICO
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
.O 86)) -ARCH .OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION
#EREZO #OMMITTEE 4HE ,ATEST 0RISON 4RANSFERS
@,A 0AROTA (YDROELECTRIC $AM 0ROJECT
4HE -ARTIN "ARRIOS #ASE )NTERVIEW WITH &EDERICO -ENOR 0ATI×O OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE h3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZAv
!NNIVERSARY /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN /-%30 !NNIVERSARY )NTERNATIONAL 3ERVICE FOR 0EACE 3)0!: h(UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN -EXICOv 7ORKSHOP 3EMINAR
5PDATE ON 0") -EXICO S !CTIVITIES
0HOTO 0")
A BRIENDO ESPACIOS PARA LA PAZ
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
.OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION 2ECOMENDATION ON TORTURE /N .OVEMBER THE 0RESIDENT OF THE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION #.$( *OSÏ ,UIS 3OBERANES PRESENTED THE GENERAL RECOMMENDATION NUMBER ON TORTURE AND AFFIRMED THAT IT IS A PRACTICE THAT PERSISTS IN -EXICO AND THAT FEDERAL STATE AND MUNICIPAL POLICE ENTITIES USE IT AS WELL AS PRISON SYSTEM OFFICIALS AND AGENTS FROM THE 0UBLIC -INISTRY hUNDER THE DIRECTION OR WITH THE TOLERANCE OF PUBLIC OFFICIALSv (E MAINTAINED THAT THERE hEXISTS A HIGH RATE OF IMPUNITYv WITH THE USE OF TORTURE AND CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT WITH MORE EARNESTNESS IN ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE PURSUE AND PUNISH THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE ACTS WITH THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE LAW 4HE .ATIONAL .ETWORK OF #IVIL /RGANIZATIONS h4ODOS LOS $ERECHOS PARA 4ODOS v AND THE -EXICAN SECTION OF !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL CONSIDERED THAT hALTHOUGH IT COMES LATE v THE #.$( UPON ANNOUNCING THIS RECOMMENDATION IS hPLACING EMPHASIS ON THIS GRAVE PROBLEM THAT PERSISTS IN -EXICO v -EXICO S $IRTY 7AR /N *ANUARY WITH A DIVIDED VOTE OF THREE AGAINST TWO THE FIRST HALL OF THE 3UPREME #OURT OF *USTICE OF THE .ATION 3#*. DETERMINED NOT TO EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY TO CHALLENGE THE .ATIONAL !TTORNEY 'ENERAL /FFICE|S COMPLAINT TO FOLLOW THE DECISION OF A FEDERAL JUDGE TO ISSUE ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT ,UIS %CHEVERRÓA AND OTHER OFFICIALS FROM HIS CABINET FOR THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE COMMITTED ON /CTOBER 7ITH THIS DECISION THE #OURT HAS DE FACTO CLOSED THE POSSIBILITY OF PURSUING CASES RELATING TO THE EVENTS OF *UNE /CTOBER AND THOSE RELATED TO THE $IRTY 7AR OF THE |S THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 4HESE CASES CONCERN CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND HAVE BEEN DECLARED INVALID SINCE MORE THAN YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THEY WERE COMMITTED -EMBERS OF THE .ATIONAL .ETWORK OF #IVIL /RGANIZATIONS h4ODOS LOS $ERECHOS 0ARA 4ODOSv FROM THE -IGUEL !GUSTIN 0RO *UAREZ #ENTER AND THE !SSOCIATION OF &AMILY -EMBERS OF THE $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS 6IOLATIONS !FADEM
DECLARED THE DECISION BY THE 3#*. A hSTEP BACKWARDSv IN THE ATTAINMENT OF JUSTICE 4HEY HIGHLIGHTED THAT THE MASSACRE ON /CTOBER hIS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND SANCTIONED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS v
0AROTA WHICH hHAVE TO DO WITH THE CLIMATE OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONFLICT PERVASIVE IN THE STATEv 4HE #ENTRO 0RO CONCLUDES THAT hSUCH EVENTS GIVE EVIDENCE THAT IN 'UERRERO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ARE VULNERABLE TO ASSAULTS OF ALL KINDS WHETHER THEY ARE WORKING IN DEFENSE OF THE FORESTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS OR IN THE DEFENSE OF THEIR OWN LIVESv
,ATIN !MERICAN 7ATER 4RIBUNAL &OR THE FIRST TIME THE ,ATIN !MERICAN 7ATER 4RIBUNAL HELD A PUBLIC HEARING IN -EXICO FROM -ARCH TO TO TRY CASES IN ,ATIN !MERICA SIX OF WHICH ARE IN -EXICO WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTED RESIDENTS 4HE SIX CASES IN -EXICO INCLUDE THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM PROJECT @,A 0AROTA THE PETROLEUM SPILL IN THE RIVER AND BEACH OF #OATZACOALCOS 6ERACRUZ WHICH HAS AFFECTED RESIDENTS OF .ANCHITAL AND FOR WHICH 0EMEX IS BEING SUED THE CONTAMINATION OF THE :IHUATANEJO BAY ATTRIBUTED TO ORGANIC DUMPING AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINATION OF THE !TOYAC 2IVER DUE TO DUMPING BY THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY THE #UTZAMALA WATER TRANSFER SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF -EXICO DENOUNCED BY THE -AZAHUA -OVEMENT AND THE DETERIORATION OF THE ,ERMA #HAPALA 3ANTIAGO BASINS
5NITED .ATIONS 2ECOMMENDATIONS FOR 'UERRERO /N .OVEMBER THE COORDINATOR FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS 0ROJECTS FOR THE /FFICE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER 5. *ANE 7ERNGREEN 2OSALES TRAVELED TO 'UERRERO TO EVALUATE THE STATE S PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATION ISSUED BY THE 3PECIAL 2APPORTEUR 2ODOLFO 3TAVENHAGEN ON $ECEMBER CONCERNING THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE 3TAVENHAGEN HAD RECOMMENDED THAT FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS PLACE hURGENTv ATTENTION TO PREVENTING AND RESOLVING SOCIAL CONFLICTS /N &EBRUARY THE 5NITED .ATIONS #OMMITTEE ON THE %LIMINATION OF 2ACIAL $ISCRIMINATION URGED -EXICO TO INVESTIGATE AND PUNISH THOSE GUILTY OF THE FORCED STERILIZATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF INDIGENOUS MEN OF THE -E 0HAA COMMUNITY %L #AMALOTE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES 'UERRERO WHO WERE STERILIZED BETWEEN AND 4HE CLAIM WAS FORMULATED BY *OSÏ &RANCISCO #ALI 4ZAY RAPPORTEUR FOR THE CASE OF -EXICO AND ONE OF THE #OMMITTEE EXPERTS WHO MONITORS COMPLIANCE WITH THE 5NITED .ATIONS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN MATTERS RELATED TO RACIAL ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
'UERRERO &OURTH IN !SSAULTS ON (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS 4HE -IGUEL !GUSTIN 0RO *UAREZ (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER #ENTRO 0RO IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT PLACES 'UERRERO IN FOURTH PLACE WITH REGARDS TO ASSAULTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS )T HIGHLIGHTS THE CASES OF THE AMBUSHING OF THE ECOLOGIST CAMPESINO !LBERTANO 0E×ALOZA $OMINGUEZ AND THE ATTACKS ON THE CAMPESINOS OPPOSING THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM PROJECT ,A 0AROTA !DDITIONALLY THE #ENTRO 0RO REPORTS FOUR REGISTERED ASSASSINATIONS TWO OF THEM AGAINST MILITANTS OF THE #AMPESINO /RGANIZATION OF THE 3IERRA DEL 3UR /#33 AND TWO OTHERS AS PRODUCTS OF THE UNRESTRAINED VIOLENCE SURROUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM ,A
#OVER 0HOTO 0") /BTILIA %UGENIA -ANUEL OF /0)- WITH HER DAUGHTER 3AN 2EE )SABEL AND 0") VOLUNTEERS
,A *ORNADA .OVEMBER ,A *ORNADA .OVEMBER ,A *ORNADA *ANUARY ,A *ORNADA *ANUARY ,A *ORNADA &EBRUARY %L 3UR $ECEMBER %L 3UR .OVEMBER %L 3UR &EBRUARY
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
#EREZO #OMMITTEE 4HE ,ATEST 0RISON 4RANSFERS !UGUST WILL MARK THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT OF THE THREE #EREZO BROTHERS (ÏCTOR !NTONIO AND !LEJANDRO AND OF THE .AHUATL INDIGENOUS MAN 0ABLO !LVARADO &LORES 3HORTLY AFTER THEIR DETENTIONS IN !UGUST THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE #OMITÏ #EREZO WAS FOUNDED BY %MILIANA AND &RANCISCO #EREZO TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF THEIR BROTHERS AND DEFEND THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE 4HE #OMMITTEE HAS EXPANDED TO OTHER PARTS OF -EXICO AND INTERNATIONALLY WITH CHAPTERS IN THE -EXICAN STATES OF 0UEBLA -ICHOACÉN /AXACA AND 6ERACRUZ AND WITH A CHAPTER IN #ANADA 4HE #OMMITTEE S EFFORTS RESULTED IN THE RELEASE OF !LEJANDRO #EREZO IN -ARCH WHEN A JUDGE GRANTED AN APPEAL 4HIS YEAR 0ABLO !LVARADO &LORES WILL BE RELEASED AFTER SERVING HIS FIVE YEAR SENTENCE 0") HAS ACCOMPANIED THE #OMMITTEE SINCE &EBRUARY IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ON VISITS TO THEIR BROTHERS IN FEDERAL PRISON /N *ANUARY (ÏCTOR AND !NTONIO WERE TRANSFERRED FROM THE &EDERAL #ENTER FOR 3OCIAL 2EADAPTATION g,A 0ALMAg #%&%2%3/ ITS 3PANISH INITIALS IN THE STATE OF -EXICO TO OTHER PRISONS (ÏCTOR TO THE g0UENTE 'RANDEg PRISON IN *ALISCO AND !NTONIO TO THE h-ATAMOROSv PRISON IN 4AMAULIPAS )N RESPONSE THE #OMMITTEE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION #.$( CLAIMING THE LACK OF LEGAL BASIS FOR THE TRANSFERS 4HE LENGTHY DISTANCES BETWEEN -EXICO #ITY AND THE #%&%2%3/S IN -ATAMOROS AND *ALISCO PREVENTED THE COMMITTEE FROM REGULARLY VISITING THE PRISONS -ORE THAN A YEAR AFTER (ÏCTOR AND !NTONIO S TRANSFERS THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE LEARNED THAT BOTH HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED BACK TO ,A 0ALMA !NTONIO ON *ANUARY AND (ECTOR ON &EBRUARY /N *ANUARY !LEJANDRO #EREZO AND ANOTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER WENT TO h,A 0ALMAv TO VISIT !NTONIO 4HEY WERE TOLD BY A PRISON SOCIAL WORKER THAT ONLY IMMEDIATE RELATIVES SUCH AS PARENTS BROTHERS SISTERS AND CHILDREN OF INMATES WERE ALLOWED VISITATION RIGHTS !LEJANDRO WAS DENIED ENTRY DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE IS THE BROTHER AND THEREFORE AN IMMEDIATE RELATIVE
%MILIANA #EREZO WITH A 0") VOLUNTEER AT THE ENTRANCE TO g,A 0ALMAg FEDERAL PRISON &OTO 0")
OF AN INMATE 7HEN FAMILY MEMBERS ASKED THE SOCIAL WORKER WHY THEY WERE NOT OFFICIALLY INFORMED OF THE MOST RECENT TRANSFERS SHE RESPONDED h-AYBE THE INMATE DIDNgT WANT HIS FAMILY MEMBERS TO FIND OUTv 3HE ADDED THAT !NTONIO COULD SPEND DAYS OR MORE IN #ONTROL /BSERVATION AND #LASSIFICATION #/# /N &EBRUARY %MILIANA WAS ABLE TO VISIT (ECTOR AFTER HIS TRANSFER TO Ñ,A 0ALMAÓ %MILIANA STATED THAT hONCE (ÏCTOR ARRIVED TO h,A 0ALMAv THE OFFICIALS IN BLUE UNIFORMS HIT HIM THREE TIMES IN THE CHEST WITH CLOSED FISTS 4HOSE IN BLACK HIT HIM THREE TIMES WITH AN OPEN HAND IN THE TEMPLE AND JAW REGION THAT IS THE TEMPLE EAR AND JAW (E WAS THEN LOCKED UP IN THE #/#v )N RESPONSE TO THIS INFORMATION THE #OMMITTEE FILED ANOTHER COMPLAINT WITH THE #.$( WHICH CARRIED OUT AN INVESTIGATION AND NOTIFIED THE #OMMITTEE THAT THE #EREZO BROTHERS TOLD THEM THEY hWERE TREATED WELLv IN THE PRISON 4HE #OMMITTEE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT BOTH (ÏCTOR AND !NTONIO HAVE LEFT THE #/# AND ARE IN JAIL CELLS 7ITH THE BROTHERS ONCE AGAIN NEARBY THE COMMITTEE INTENDS TO A FIND A WAY FOR THEM TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR STUDIES IN THE $EPARTMENT OF 0HILOSOPHY AND ,ITERATURE AT THE .ATIONAL !UTONOMOUS 5NIVERSITY OF -EXICO WHERE
THEY ARE ENROLLED AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE THE NECESSARY MATERIALS
4HE #OMMITTEE IS STILL CONCERNED ABOUT !NTONIO AND (ÏCTOR S PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING 4HEY HAVE REQUESTED EVIDENCE AS TO WHY (ÏCTOR AND !NTONIO MUST BE KEPT IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON INSTEAD OF A STATE PENITENTIARY WHERE THEY WOULD BE CLOSER TO THEIR FAMILY 4HE #OMMITTEE HAS ALSO PUSHED FOR A &EDERAL !MNESTY ,AW FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE 2EFLECTING ON THE TRANSFERS OF (ÏCTOR AND !NTONIO AND WHAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED THIS YEAR THE COMMITTEE STATES THAT hWE COULD SEE THIS TRANSFER AS A VICTORY SINCE THEY ARE NOW MUCH CLOSER TO THEIR FAMILY ONLY KILOMETERS COMPARED TO THE DISTANT KILOMETERS TO -ATAMOROS (OWEVER ONCE AGAIN IF THIS INFORMATION IS CONFIRMED IT IS STILL AN ILLEGAL TRANSFER 7E RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE STRUGGLED FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS FOR THEM TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A PRISON IN THE &EDERAL $ISTRICTv
,A *ORNADA *ANUARY #EREZO #OMMITTEE *ANUARY
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
,A 0AROTA HYDROELECTRIC DAM $URING THE TH 7ORLD 7ATER &ORUM WHICH TOOK PLACE IN -EXICO #ITY IN -ARCH THE #OUNCIL OF %JIDOS AND #OMMUNITIES /PPOSED TO THE 0AROTA $AM #%#/0 BROUGHT CLAIMS BEFORE THE ,ATIN !MERICAN 7ATER 4RIBUNAL 4,! CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ,A 0AROTA HYDROELECTRIC DAM IN THE STATE OF 'UERRERO 4HEIR CASE IS BASED ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WOULD BE DISPLACED ON A MASSIVE SCALE WITH THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF THE DAM 4HE 4,! DECIDED TO RECOMMEND THE PROJECT S CANCELLATION TO THE -EXICAN AUTHORITIES 0LANS TO BUILD THE DAM DATE BACK YEARS BUT WERE RENEWED IN $AMMING THE 0APAGAYO 2IVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES WOULD RESULT IN THE hFLOODING OF HECTARES OF CULTIVATABLE LAND HOME TO TOWNS IN WHICH APPROXIMATELY PEOPLE LIVE v 4HE &EDERAL %LECTRICITY #OMMISSION #&% HAS HAD A PRESENCE IN THE 0AROTA AREA FOR SEVERAL YEARS &ELIPE &LORES WHO FOUNDED THE ORGANIZATION OPPOSING THE DAM TELLS OF HIS EXPERIENCE h7E MET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON *UNE 4HAT WAS WHEN WE STARTED IDENTIFYING EACH OTHER IN THE WAY THAT WE QUESTIONED THE ENGINEER 0ÏREZ !GUIRRE !ND WE BEGAN TO REALIZE THERE WERE PEOPLE OPPOSING THE PROJECT 4HE ORGANIZATION OPPOSING THE DAM WAS FORMED WHEN THE HEAD OF THE #&% PROJECT #ARLOS 0ÏREZ !GUIRRE BEGAN HOLDING INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS 4HE ASSEMBLY ON *UNE ST WAS IN #ACAHUATEPEC AND THE COMMUNAL FARMERS OPPOSING THE PROJECT SAW THAT THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE OPPOSED TO IT )T WAS THEN THAT THE MOVEMENT BEGAN WHICH LATER ORGANIZED ITSELF AND TOOK THE NAME THE #OUNCIL OF %JIDOS AND #OMMUNITIES /PPOSED TO THE 0AROTA $AM v !LL OF THE ASSEMBLIES FOR THE 0AROTA DAM HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH GRAVE IRREGULARITIES INCLUDING THE PAYMENT FOR VOTES IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT $ESPITE A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE EMITTED BY THE !GRARIAN #OURT ESTABLISHING THAT ADDITIONAL ASSEMBLIES CANNOT BE HELD UNTIL A DEFINITIVE JUDGMENT IS HANDED DOWN REGARDING A CHALLENGE TO THE VALIDITY OF THE FIRST ASSEMBLY BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE CONTINUED CALLING FOR ASSEMBLIES WITH THE GOAL OF IMPOSING THE PROJECT
*ANE 7ERNGREEN 5. REPRESENTATIVE WITH -ARCO !NTONIO 3UÉSTEGUI AND OTHER MEMBERS OF #ECOP &OTO 0")
4HE DAM S OPPONENTS HAVE REPEATEDLY REPORTED THAT THE ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN hA METHOD OF IMPOSING THE DAM TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE CAMPESINOS x THEY ARE NOT A TRUE MECHANISM FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE PROJECT IN A FREE AND INFORMED MANNER v ,IKEWISE RIGHTS TO CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS ARE BEING VIOLATED SINCE STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE IMPLEMENTED A STRATEGY THAT CONSISTS OF A 4HE FRAUDULENT OFFER OF WORK SERVICES AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE BUYING OF VOTES WHICH HAS DIVIDED FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES PITTING THEM AGAINST EACH OTHER AND IN SO DOING UNRAVELLING THE SOCIAL FABRIC B 4HE LACK OF INFORMATION TO AND CONSULTATION WITH THOSE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE DAM THEREBY VIOLATING THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS C #ALLING AND HOLDING COMMUNAL ASSEMBLIES VIOLATING AGRICULTURAL LAWS AND THE RULE OF LAW D 4HE DISPROPORTIONATE USE OF POLICE FORCES WATCHING OVER THESE ASSEMBLIES E 4REATING THOSE OPPOSING THE PROJECT AS CRIMINALS BY ISSUING ARREST WARRANTS AND CHARGING OPPOSITION LEADERS FOR ALLEGED
CRIMES WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN PROVEN F $EATH THREATS RECEIVED BY SOME OF THE PROJECT S OPPONENTS /N *ANUARY IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ST #IRCUIT OF THE !GRICULTURAL 5NITARY 4RIBUNAL BASED IN !CAPULCO DECLARED THE COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY HELD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 3AN -ARCOS NULL AND VOID $URING THIS MEETING RIOT POLICE FORCEFULLY OBSTRUCTED THE ENTRY OF OPPONENTS TO THE #&% PROJECT )N THE FOLLOWING PRESS CONFERENCE THE LEGAL CONSULTANT FOR THE h4LACHINOLLANv (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER DE LA -ONTA×A -ARIO 0ATRØN 3ÉNCHEZ STATED THAT WITH THE !GRICULTURAL 5NITARY 4RIBUNAL S RESOLUTION THE PRESENCE OF #&% IN THE COMMUNAL LANDS OF #ACAHUATEPEC HAD NO LEGAL JUSTIFICATION (E STATED THAT OPPONENTS TO THE PROJECT HAD SOUGHT LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANNELS FOR OPPOSING THE DAM S CONSTRUCTION AND THAT THE RESOLUTION OF THE 4RIBUNAL hIS PROOF THAT AN INSTITUTION OF THE STATE ITSELF IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PROJECT S OPPONENTS v !N EJIDO IS A COOPERATIVE FARMING COMMUNITY ,A 2EFORMA NEWSPAPER *ANUARY %L 3UR $ECEMBER $ECEMBER WWW TLACHINOLLAN ORG ,A 2EFORMA *ANUARY $ECEMBER WWW TLACHINOLLAN COM %L 3UR *ANUARY
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
4HE -ARTÓN "ARRIOS #ASE ! NUMBER OF CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE EMERGED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 4EHUACAN 0UEBLA IN AN EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THE DEPLORABLE WORKING CONDITIONS THAT EXIST IN THE TEXTILE MAQUILAS IN THE AREA IN ADDITION TO THE DIFFICULTY WORKERS ARE EXPERIENCING IN EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS TO UNIONIZE )N &EBRUARY -ARTÓN "ARRIOS (ERNÉNDEZ 0RESIDENT OF THE (UMAN AND ,ABOR 2IGHTS #OMMISSION OF THE 4EHUACAN 6ALLEY #$(,64 DENOUNCED BUSINESSMAN +AMEL
.ACIF S ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF WORKERS IN THE MAQUILAS "ARRIOS (ERNÉNDEZ LABELED .ACIF A hHARMFUL PERSONv DUE TO .ACIF S CONNECTIONS WITH PEDOPHILE CASES )N $ECEMBER -ARTÓN "ARRIOS DENOUNCED THE FIRING OF WORKERS FROM A LOCAL MAQUILA /N $ECEMBER THE BUSINESSMAN ,UCIO 'IL :ÉRATE ACCUSED -ARTÓN "ARRIOS OF BLACKMAIL AND "ARRIOS WAS JAILED IN THE 0UEBLA CITY JAIL (E WAS FREED ON *ANUARY AFTER 'IL :ÉRATE PARDONED HIM FOR THE OFFENSE
!CCORDING TO !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL THE IMPRISONMENT OF -ARTÓN "ARRIOS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT HIM FROM CARRYING OUT HIS LEGITIMATE WORK IN THE DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS /N &EBRUARY -ARTÓN "ARRIOS WAS WARNED THAT HIS LIFE WAS IN DANGER /N &EBRUARY THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS REQUESTED THAT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BE TAKEN TO GUARANTEE HIS SAFETY
)NTERVIEW WITH &EDERICO -ENOR 0ATI×O n 3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZA !CAPULCO 'UERRERO 4HIS CITY S IMAGE AS A VACATION PARADISE IS KNOWN THE WORLD OVER "UT !CAPULCO DOES NOT JUST CONSIST OF BEAUTIFUL BEACHES EXOTIC RESTAURANTS AND FASHIONABLE NIGHTCLUBS )N SUBURBAN AND RURAL AREAS MUCH OF THE POPULATION EXISTS IN EXTREME POVERTY AND SOCIAL MARGINALIZATION 4HIS IS DUE IN PART TO UNEMPLOYMENT LOW SALARIES AND CONTINUOUSLY RISING PRICES FOR BASIC GOODS %MILIANO :APATA IS ONE OF THESE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES )T IS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE 3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZA ! # 3PANISH FOR @3OWING (OPE FORMED IN )T IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT 'UERRERO IS ONE OF THE LEADING STATES IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN -EXICO 7HEN THE COMMITTEE FORMED RESIDENTS OF !CAPULCO WERE NEITHER PROMOTING NOR DEFENDING THEIR RIGHTS MAINLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEIR RIGHTS WERE 4HE #OMMITTEE S FOCUS OF ACTION CENTERS ON !CAPULCO ESPECIALLY IN THE OUTSKIRTS AND RURAL AREAS WHERE THE POPULATION CONSISTS LARGELY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO EMIGRATED FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE CITY IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE 4HE ORGANIZATION ALSO WORKS IN THE CITY OF !ZOYÞ WHERE THE POPULATION PRINCIPALLY CONSISTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN POVERTY AND SUFFER HIGH ILLITERACY RATES )N ADDITION MANY HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ARE COMMITTED AGAINST THEM 0") HAS COLLABORATED WITH 3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZA FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND CONTINUES TO FOLLOW THE SITUATION 7E INTERVIEWED &EDERICO -ENOR 0ATI×O DURING ONE OF OUR MEETINGS
7HAT ARE THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS THE ORGANIZATION IS FACING )N THE FIRST PLACE THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN RESOURCES -EMBERS OF 3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZA ARE VOLUNTEERS 4HIS MEANS THAT WE RECEIVE NO PAYMENT FOR OUR WORK AND THAT EACH OF US HAS OUR NORMAL JOB IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE DO FOR THE #OMMITTEE &OR THIS REASON WE CANNOT DEDICATE ALL OUR TIME TO THE #OMMITTEE WHICH IS A SHAME /UR WORK OFTEN INVOLVES ACTIVITIES THAT DISCREDIT THE AUTHORITIES WHICH CAN MEAN SOMETIMES THAT PEOPLE ARE CAUTIOUS ABOUT ASSOCIATING WITH US OR PEOPLE DO NOT CONTINUE WITH US ) CONSIDER THIS TO BE ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM THE #OMMITTEE IS FACING 7HAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY &EDERICO -ENOR 0ATI×O 0RESIDENT OF THE #OMMITTEE 7E BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE S TRUE VOICE IS 0HOTO 0") HEARD THROUGH CIVIL ASSOCIATIONS AND .'/S 4HE COMMITTEE DEFENDS HUMAN RIGHTS NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS .'/S BRING INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION TO CASES THAT 7HAT ACTIVITIES IS IT ENGAGED IN /UR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE PROMOTION WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNKNOWN AND WHEREIN PUBLICIZING DEFENSE AND EDUCATION OF PERPETRATORS GO UNPUNISHED 4HE WORK INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF .'/S CARRY OUT IS HIGHLY CREDIBLE AND WE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MARGINALIZED SECTORS OF INVITE CITIZENS AND SOCIETY IN GENERAL TO SOCIETY VULNERABLE AND INCARCERATED PEOPLE DENOUNCE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS 7E ASK AND GENDER RIGHTS 7E DO THIS THROUGH THEM TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DIFFERENT LEGAL PROCEDURES SEMINARS CLASSES VIOLATIONS )N GENERAL WE WANT A CULTURE OF AND WORKSHOPS HUMAN RIGHTS TO TAKE ROOT (OW WOULD YOU EVALUATE THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN 'UERRERO &OR SOME TIME NOW IN 'UERRERO WE HAVE HAD THE $IRTY 7AR AS A PRECEDENT AND THAT S AN OBVIOUS EXAMPLE OF HOW THE 3TATE HAS TRIED TO SILENCE THE PEOPLE )T IS EVIDENT THAT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CONTINUE ALTHOUGH THE AUTHORITIES TRY TO MAINTAIN AN APPEARANCE OF PUBLIC PEACE OF SOCIAL PEACE
5RGENT !CTION -IGUEL !GUSTÓN 0RO *UÉREZ #ENTER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS !CCIØN 5RGENTE #ENTRO DE $ERECHOS (UMANOS -IGUEL !GUSTÓN 0RO *UÉREZ &EBRUARY ,A *ORNADA *ANUARY ,A *ORNADA *ANUARY 5RGENT !CTION !CCIØN 5RGENTE !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL !-2 &EBRUARY ,A *ORNADA &EBRUARY 2EPORT BY THE (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION 3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZA !#
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
!NNIVERSARY 4HE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS 4HE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN /-%30 CELEBRATED ITS TH ANNIVERSARY ON -ARCH IN THE COMMUNITY OF :APOTILLAL MUNICIPALITY OF 0ETATLÉN 'UERRERO 4HE ORGANIZATION S PRESIDENT #ELSA 6ALDOVINOS 2IØS ACCOMPANIED BY 0") SINCE !UGUST OPENED THE FESTIVITIES BY COMMENTING ON THE LAST FOUR YEARS )TgS BEEN A STRUGGLE WITH OURSELVES BECAUSE WEgVE HAD TO WORK HARD TO LEARN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ORGANIZE 4ODAY THE ORGANIZATION HAS MORE THAN ACTIVE MEMBERS AND HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THE AREAS OF REFORESTATION AND THE CREATION OF VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS ! REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER WHICH LED THE DEFENSE OF &ELIPE !RREAGA SPOUSE OF #ELSA 6ALDOVINOS WHO WAS INCARCERATED FOR MONTHS FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT SAID THAT SHE IS HAPPY BECAUSE OF THE ADVANCES WHICH THE WOMEN HAVE MADE
!NNIVERSARY OF THE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN /-%30 &OTO 0")
IN THIS PART OF THE REGION IN SPITE OF THE THREATS FEAR AND REPRESSION
Y %L 3UR -ARCH
!NNIVERSARY )NTERNATIONAL 3ERVICE FOR 0EACE 3)0!: 3)0!: IS AN INTERNATIONAL OBSERVATION PROGRAM WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN TO SUPPORT THE PURSUIT OF PEACEFUL RESOLUTIONS TO THE CONFLICT IN #HIAPAS AFTER THE ARMED UPRISING BY THE :APATISTA .ATIONAL ,IBERATION !RMY 4HE WORK OF 3)0!: IS CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON FOUR AREAS s )NTERNATIONAL PRESENCE AND ACCOMPANIMENT IN #HIAPAS AND -EXICO s 2AISING AWARENESS OF THE CAUSES CONSEQUENCES AND RESPONSES TO THE CONFLICTS IN -EXICO THROUGH LOBBY WORK AND THE SHARING OF INFORMATION
s 4HE PROMOTION OF A CULTURE OF PEACE THROUGH EDUCATION AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE s .ETWORKING AND THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCES 4HEIR YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TOOK PLACE ON -ARCH IN 3AN #RISTØBAL DE LAS #ASAS AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO REFLECT ON THE INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN -EXICO TODAY 0ARTICIPANTS INCLUDED THE &RAY "ARTOLOMÏ DE LAS
#AS AS (UM AN 2 I G HTS #ENTER 0EACE 7A TC H 0E A CE ( O U S E 7 I T N E S S FO R 0 E A C E , A S ! B E J A S 3 7 % & / 2 4LACHINOLLAN 0") 'UATEMALA AND 0") -EXICO AMONG OTHERS !FTER HEARING PRESENTATIONS FROM ALL OF THE INVITED ORGANIZATIONS THE PARTICIPANTS WORKED IN SMALL GROUPS 4HIS ALLOWED THEM TO SHARE EXPERIENCES DISCUSS WHAT THEY VE LEARNED AND IDENTIFY GOALS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
h(UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN -EXICOv ! WORKSHOP AND SEMINAR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TOOK PLACE IN -EXICO #ITY ON -ARCH 4HE EVENT WAS SPEARHEADED BY THE )NTERNATIONAL 3ECRETARIAT OF !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL IN COLLABORATION WITH THE -IGUEL !UGUSTÓN 0RO *UARÏZ (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER THE -EXICAN SECTION OF THE ,ATIN !MERICA AND #ARIBBEAN #OMMITTEE FOR THE $EFENSE OF 7OMENgS 2IGHTS #,!$%- THE !SSOCIATION FOR THE )NTEGRAL $EVELOPMENT OF 6ICTIMS OF 2APE !$)6!# AND THE )NTERDISCIPLINARY 'ROUP ON 'ENDER 3EXUALITY 9OUTH AND (UMAN 2IGHTS !RTEMISA 4HE WORKSHOP S OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROMOTE
DIALOGUE BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND WOMENgS ORGANIZATIONS IN -EXICO 4HE EVENT PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES AND WORK TO CREATE A FUTURE PLATFORM TO GIVE CONTINUITY TO THIS DIALOGUE /RGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATED AND MORE THAN WOMEN ATTENDED 4HE SEMINAR INCLUDED PANEL DISCUSSIONS PRESENTATIONS AND WORK GROUPS !MONG THE ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE WORKSHOP WERE gTHE COMMON ASPECTS OF AT RISK SITUATIONS IN THE WORK OF WOMENgS
RIGHTS DEFENDERS MEASURES AND MECHANISMS FOR CONFRONTING THEM g 4WO VOLUNTEERS FROM THE 0") -EXICO TEAM GAVE A PRESENTATION ON SECURITY ISSUES ORGANIZATIONS AT THE STRUCTURAL LEVEL FACE 3EVERAL PARTICIPANTS FROM THE STATE OF 'UERRERO ATTENDED INCLUDING #ELSA 6ALDOVINOS OF /-%30 WHO SHARED HER EXPERIENCES CONCERNING THE IMPLIED RISKS OF HER WORK AS AN ACTIVIST %RICA 3ERRANO &ARIAS OF THE .ETWORK OF /RGANIZATIONS AND %NVIRONMENTALISTS OF :IHUATANEJO 2/'!: AND %VANGELINA ,OPEZ (ILARIA OF #OMMUNITY 2ADIO g.OMNDAAg
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
5PDATE ON 0") -EXICO S !CTIVITIES !CCOMPANIMENTS s %MILIANA AND &RANCISCO #EREZO #ONTRERAS MEMBERS OF THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE IN -EXICO #ITY AND ON THEIR TRIPS TO VISIT THEIR BROTHERS IN PRISON s 4HE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLAN /-%30 IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 0ETATLAN 'UERRERO AND ON THEIR VISITS THROUGHOUT 'UERRERO s 4HE /RGANIZATION OF THE )NDIGENOUS 0EOPLE -E 0HAA /0)- IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES AND ON THEIR TRIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF 'UERRERO s 4HE #ENTER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS DE LA -ONTA×A h4LACHINOLLANv MEMBERS OF THE OFFICE IN !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES AND ON THEIR TRIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF 'UERRERO s 4ITA 2ADILLA -ARTINEZ VICE PRESIDENT OF !FADEM !SSOCIATION OF 2ELATIVES OF THE $ETAINED $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS !BUSES IN !TOYAC DE !LVAREZ AND ON HER TRIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF 'UERRERO s h*OSE -ARIA -ORELOS Y 0AVONv 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER IN #HILAPA DE !LVAREZ 'UERRERO
0UBLIC 2ELATIONS )NTERVIEWS WITH -EXICAN !UTHORITIES &EDERAL ,EVEL 0ABLO -U×OZ Y 2OJAS 5NDER 3ECRETARY OF ,EGAL !FFAIRS AND (UMAN 2IGHTS OF THE 3ECRETARY OF 'OVERNMENT 2ICARDO 3EPULVEDA )GUINIZ $IRECTOR 'ENERAL FOR THE 0ROMOTION AND $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS OF THE 3ECRETARY OF 'OVERNMENT !NDRÏS #ALERO !GUILAR 4HIRD 'ENERAL %XAMINER OF THE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION (UGO &LORES OF THE .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF -IGRATION 3TATE ,EVEL IN &EDERAL $ISTRICT 'RACIELA 2OJAS #RUZ AND 2OSA %LENA "ERNAL $IAZ OF THE 'OVERNMENT )N 'UERRERO !RMANDO #HAVARRÓA "ARRERA 'OVERNMENT 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL 2UBEN !GUIRRE 0ONCE #OORDINATION ,IAISON TO 3OCIAL /RGANIZATIONS 'REGORIO 6ENTURA (UERTA ,EGAL !DVISOR OF THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY *ORGE 2ODRIGUEZ 0ONCE 'OVERNMENT 2EPRESENTATIVE OF THE -ONTA×A *ESUS 3ERRATO 2AMIREZ 'OVERNMENT 2EPRESENTATIVE OF #OSTA 'RANDE 'USTAVO -ARTINEZ 'ALEANA 'OVERNMENT 3UB REPRESENTATIVE OF #OSTA 'RANDE $EPUTY 2OSSANA -ORA 0ATI×O 0RESIDENT OF THE 3TATE #ONGRESS (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION %DUARDO -URUETA 5RRUTIA 3TATE !TTORNEY 'ENERAL OF *USTICE ,ILIA 4AQUILLA ,OPEZ 2EGIONAL #OORDINATOR OF #OSTA 'RANDE FOR THE 3TATE #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS #ODDEHUM *OSE ,UNA !LARCON 2EGIONAL #OORDINATOR OF THE -ONTA×A FOR #ODDEHUM -UNICIPAL ,EVEL IN !TOYAC ,EOBARDO 2ADILLA 3YNDICATE !TTORNEY -ANUEL 3ALVADOR 'UDI×O (ERRERA $IRECTOR OF THE /FFICE OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY )N !YUTLA
(OMERO ,ORENZO 2IOS -UNICIPAL 0RESIDENT 3IDRIONIO "IBIANO !YODORO 3YNDICATE !TTORNEY ,ORENZO #ALIXTO #ARVAJAL $IRECTOR OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY )N 4LAPA #APTAIN 0EDRO -ANZANO 6EGA $IRECTOR OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY !LFREDO #AMACHO -ILLAN #OMMANDER OF THE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE )NTERVIEWS WITH )NTERNATIONAL AND -EXICAN .ON GOVERNMENTAL /RGANIZATIONS .'/ AND %XPERTS )NTERNATIONAL AND &EDERAL ,EVEL !SSOCIATION OF 2ELATIVES OF THE $ETAINED $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS !BUSES !FADEM !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL n -EXICO 3ECTION 'REENPEACE 3ERVICE $EVELOPMENT AND 0EACE 3%$%0!# )NTERNATIONAL 3ECRETARIAT !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL #EREZO "ROTHERS #OMMITTEE .ATIONAL .ETWORK OF #IVIL /RGANIZATIONS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS @4ODOS LOS $ERECHOS PARA 4ODOS -EXICAN #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE AND 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS -EXICAN ,EAGUE FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS ,IMEDDH -EXICAN !CTION .ETWORK !GAINST &REE 4RADE 2-!,# 3PACE FOR #ULTURAL 3OCIAL AND %CONOMIC 2IGHTS %SPACIO $%3# 3TATE ,EVEL 'UERRERO .ETWORK ON (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS DE LA -ONTA×A 4LACHINOLLAN *OSÏ -ARIA -ORELOS Y 0AVØN 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER %L 3UR DE !CAPULCO NEWSPAPER #OLLECTIVE !GAINST 4ORTURE AND )MPUNITY ##4) #AMPESINO /RGANIZATION OF THE 3IERRA DEL 3UR
/#33 3/3 "AHIA 3EMBRADOR DE LA %SPERANZA (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMITTEE %MBASSIES AND THE 5NITED .ATIONS !MERIGO )NCALCATERRA (EAD OF THE /FFICE OF THE 5. (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS 2EPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EMBASSIES OF 3PAIN !USTRIA 3WITZERLAND )RELAND 'REAT "RITAIN 4OUR OF EMBASSIES TO THE STATE OF 'UERRERO WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE %UROPEAN #OMMISSION AND THE FOLLOWING EMBASSIES 'REAT "RITAIN 'ERMANY THE .ETHERLANDS !USTRIA 3WEDEN $ENMARK )RELAND "ELGIUM 3PAIN 0ORTUGAL )TALY 3WITZERLAND &ORUMS &EDERAL ,EVEL 0HOTOGRAPHIC %XHIBIT h! ,OOK AT (UMAN 2IGHTS ! 0ENDING 3UBJECT v ORGANIZED BY THE 3WISS %MBASSY IN h0ROVICTIMAv #.$( h&EMALE (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERSv 3EMINAR 7ORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL 3TATE ,EVEL &ORUM ON THE ,AW TO 0REVENT AND 3ANCTION THE &ORCED $ISAPPEARANCE OF 0ERSONS IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO IN THE -USEUM OF #ULTURE #HILPANCINGO #OMMEMORATION OF THE ST !NNIVERSARY OF THE &ALL IN #OMBAT OF ,UCIO #ABA×AS "ARRIENTOS ,#" IN !TOYAC DE !LVAREZ h$EFENDING /UR 4ERRITORYv &ORUM ORGANIZED BY THE #ENTER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS DE LA -ONTA×A 4LACHINOLLAN IN 4LAPA DE #OMONFORT / T H E R 3 T A TE S T H ! N N I VE R S A R Y O F )NTERNATIONAL 3ERVICE FOR 0EACE 3)0!: IN 3AN #RISTØBAL DE LAS #ASAS #HIAPAS
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
'UIDING 0RINCIPLES .ONVIOLENCE 0") IS COMMITTED TO GIVING THE HIGHEST CONSIDERATION TO HUMAN LIFE AND ITS DEFENSE AND RESPECTS EVERY INDIVIDUAL S BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND FREEDOMS 0") IS CONVINCED THAT ENDURING PEACE AND LASTING SOLUTIONS FOR CONFLICTS BETWEEN AND WITHIN NATIONS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY VIOLENT MEANS AND THEREFORE IT REJECTS VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND AND FROM ANY SOURCE 0") ONLY WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS NON VIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE AND PEACEFUL DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY .ON INTERFERENCE )N ALL OF ITS ACTIONS 0") RESPECTS THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE IT MAINTAINS INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT TEAMS 4HE PRINCIPLE OF NON INTERFERENCE MEANS THAT 0") REFRAINS FROM MAKING JUDGMENTAL RESPONSES OR DENUNCIATIONS AND VOICES ITS CONCERNS ONLY TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE WITHOUT BEING ACCUSATIVE /N THE OTHER HAND 0") TEAMS AND THEIR MEMBERS DO NOT BECOME INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF THE GROUPS OR THE INDIVIDUALS WHOM THEY ASSIST OR ACCOMPANY !T NO TIME DOES 0") INTEND TO REPLACE THE LOCAL INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE THE RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BUT RATHER SUPPORTS THESE INITIATIVES THROUGH THE PRESENCE OF INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT VOLUNTEERS .ON 0ARTISANSHIP !S AN INTERNATIONAL THIRD PARTY ENTITY 0") ACTS IN AN INDEPENDENT AND NON PARTISAN MANNER AND IS INDEPENDENT OF POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS AGENDAS .ON PARTISANSHIP IMPLIES THAT 0") TREATS ALL PARTIES IN A CONFLICT WITH AN OPEN MIND WITHOUT TAKING SIDES AND REPORTS AS OBJECTIVELY AND IMPARTIALLY AS POSSIBLE
0E A C E " R I G A D E S ) N T E R N A T I O N A L 0") IS A NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT UPON REQUEST MAINTAINS INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT TEAMS IN CONFLICT AREAS 4HE ORGANIZATION S OBJECTIVE IS THE PROTECTION OF THE POLITICAL SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS AND WHICH IN TURN ARE UNDER THREAT OF PERSECUTION AND REPRESSION AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR WORK )NTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT IS IN THIS WAY A CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION TOOL THROUGH WHICH THIRD PARTIES CAN CONTRIBUTE IN CREATING THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO RESOLVE A CONFLICT PEACEFULLY !T NO TIME DOES 0") ATTEMPT TO REPLACE -EXICAN INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE THE RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BUT RATHER LIMITS ITSELF TO SUPPORTING SUCH INITIATIVES WITH THE PRESENCE OF INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT VOLUNTEERS 4O ACHIEVE THIS GOAL 0") TEAMS WORK IN COUNTRY ACCOMPANYING THOSE PEOPLE OR ORGANIZATIONS UNDER
THREAT MAKING PERIODIC VISITS TO CONFLICT ZONES DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION ON THE CONFLICT S DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTAINING A DIALOGUE WITH CIVIL AND MILITARY A UTH O R I TIE S I N AN EFFO R T TO RAI SE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS 4HE )NFORMATION "ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION PRODUCED BY THE TEAM IN -EXICO 0") MAINTAINS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OBJECTIVITY POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE USE OF A WIDE VARIETY OF PUBLIC SOURCES NEWSPAPERS MAGAZINES PUBLIC REPORTS FROM CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS ETC AND THE CITATION OF ALL SOURCES USED IN ITS ARTICLES 4HE BULLETIN IS DISTRIBUTED BOTH WITHIN -EXICO AND INTERNATIONALLY )F YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE 0") -EXICO 0R O J E C T S ) N FO R M A T I O N " U L L E T I N PLEASE CONTACT THE 0ROJECT /FFICE IN 3AN &RANCISCO OR THE 0") 4EAM IN -EXICO
0") TEAM IN 'UERRERO *AMIE 7ICK 5NITED 3TATES !LEXANDER "LESSING 'ERMANY -ERCEDES #UENCA 3PAIN !NNE -AY 5NITED 3TATES "RIGIT $UERR 3WITZERLAND (ERMINE $IEBOLT &RANCE -ARJOLEIN 6AN DER 7ATER .ETHERLANDS 0HOTO 0") 0") -EXICO )NTERNATIONAL /FFICE /NE (ALLIDIE 0LAZA 3UITE 3AN &RANCISCO #! 4EL % MAIL PBIMEXICO PEACEBRIGADES ORG WWW PEACEBRIGADES ORG MEXICO E HTML
0") n -EXICO 4EAM #ALLE ,ERDO #OLONIA 3AN -ATEO #HILPANCINGO 'RO #0 4EL &AX % MAIL PBIGRO PEACEBRIGADES ORG