0EACE "RIGADES )NTERNATIONAL "ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
IN -EXICO .UMBER 3PRING
.OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION
2ADIO 6OLADORA #OMMUNITY 2ADIO 5NDER 4HREAT
4HE #OLLECTIVE AGAINST 4ORTURE AND )MPUNITY ##4) /PENS AN /FFICE IN !CAPULCO
4HE 'UERRERO (UMAN 2IGHTS .ETWORK -OBILIZES !GAINST 'ENDER 6IOLENCE
/BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL -EETS WITH THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS
2EMAINS 2ETURNED TO !TOYAC OF 0EOPLE $ETAINED AND $ISAPPEARED $URING THE $IRTY 7AR
4HE 0ROJECT 4EAM S 7ORK IN -EXICO
M AKING SPACE FOR PEACE
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
.OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION 4HE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS )!#(2 HAS ADMITTED THE CASES OF TWO INDIGENOUS -E 0HAA WOMEN REPORTEDLY RAPED BY MEMBERS OF THE -EXICAN MILITARY 6ALENTINA 2OSENDO #ANTÞ AND )NÏS &ERNÉNDEZ /RTEGA BOTH INDIGENOUS -E 0HAA WOMEN REPORTED BEING RAPED IN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES 'UERRERO BY SOLDIERS OF THE -EXICAN ARMY "OTH WOMEN WITH COUNSEL FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER AND THE /RGANIZATION OF THE )NDIGENOUS -E 0HAA 0EOPLE /0)- SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED TO REPORT THEIR CASES TO THE )!#(2 IN AND RESPECTIVELY SINCE THEIR CASES WERE TRANSFERRED FROM THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH THEY CONSIDER TO LACK INDEPENDENCE AND IMPARTIALITY 4HE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT REQUESTED THAT THE )!#(2 DENY ADMISSION OF THESE CASES (OWEVER THEY WERE IN FACT ADMITTED TO THE )!#(2 ON /CTOBER /N .OVEMBER WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE /0)- AND 4LACHINOLLAN 6ALENTINA 2OSENDO #ANTÞ PRESENTED HER CASE TO THE )!#(2 !CCORDING TO HER CLAIM 6ALENTINA WAS ONLY YEARS OLD ON &EBRUARY WHEN SHE WAS RAPED NEAR HER HOME IN "ARRANCA "EJUCO WHILST WASHING CLOTHES ! GROUP OF SOLDIERS FROM THE -EXICAN !RMY CAME UP TO HER AND BEGAN TO ASK HER ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF SEVERAL hMASKED MENv REFERRING TO ARMED GROUPS 6ALENTINA DENIED KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THEM AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMITTED TO ILLEGAL DETENTION RAPE AND TORTURE BY TWO SOLDIERS WHILE ANOTHER SIX SOLDIERS WATCHED /NCE SHE REPORTED THIS ACT THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM DEEMED THAT THE PETITION WAS NOT WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION AND TRANSFERRED IT TO THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM )NÏS &ERNÉNDEZ /RTEGA PRESENTED HER CASE TO THE )!#(2 ON *UNE 3HE STATED THAT ON -ARCH SHE WAS AT HOME IN "ARRANCA 4ECOANI WHEN SEVERAL SOLDIERS ENTERED HER HOUSE TO INTERROGATE HER ABOUT LIVESTOCK THEY CLAIMED HAD BEEN STOLEN 5NABLE TO ANSWER THEM BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT SPEAK 3PANISH THE SOLDIERS BECAME ANGRY AND THREATENED HER WITH THEIR WEAPONS AND THEN RAPED HER )NES REPORTED THESE EVENTS TO THE 0UBLIC -INISTRY IN !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES HOWEVER THE 0UBLIC -INISTRY DID NOT INVESTIGATE THIS REPORT 4HEY DESTROYED THE EVIDENCE AND LATER STATED THAT THEY DIDN T HAVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR THE CASE /N -ARCH THE -ILITARY !TTORNEY 'ENERAL S /FFICE DECIDED THAT THE CASE WAS NOT APPROPRIATE IN A CIVIL JURISDICTION AND DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE WITHIN THE MILITARY JURISDICTION !T THE TIME THE -EXICAN 'OVERNMENT ARGUED THAT INTERNAL JUSTICE MECHANISMS HAD NOT BEEN EXHAUSTED AND AS A RESULT REQUESTED THAT THE )!#(2 DECLARE THESE CASES INADMISSIBLE $ESPITE -EXICO S REQUEST ON /CTOBER THE )!#(2 ADMITTED BOTH WOMEN S CASES STATING THAT THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE ENTITY TO INVESTIGATE AND TRY SOLDIERS WHO
ARE INVOLVED IN CRIMES AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS INVOLVING CIVILIANS !CCORDING TO 4LACHINOLLAN ATTORNEY -ATILDE 0ÏREZ 2OMERO THE ADMISSION OF BOTH CASES IS hVERY FAVORABLEv BECAUSE hTHE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION WILL BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN AN OBSTACLE WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE WHERE THE ARMY IS INVOLVED GIVEN THAT TRIALS STILL REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF THE VERY SAME SOLDIERS THAT COMMIT THE CRIMES v
4HE CONFLICT BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF #ARRIZALILLO AND THE #ANADIAN MINING COMPANY ,UISMIN COMES TO A CLOSE /N !PRIL THE ENTRANCE TO THE GOLD MINE OWNED BY THE #ANADIAN MINING COMPANY ,UISMIN IN #ARRIZALILLO 'UERRERO WAS REOPENED FOLLOWING A SIT IN LASTING DAYS WHICH BLOCKED THE ENTRANCE TO THE MINE AND CAUSED THE COMPANY A LOSS OF MILLION DOLLARS 4HE SIT IN BEGAN ON *ANUARY TH WHEN THE 0ERMANENT !SSEMBLY OF ,ANDOWNERS OF #ARRIZALILLO !SAMBLEA 0ERMANENTE DE %JIDATARIOS DE #ARRIZALILLO DECLARED THAT THE COMPANY WAS NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH ITS PART OF THE INITIAL AGREEMENT IN WHICH THEY PROMISED PUBLIC WORKS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY 4HE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALSO STATED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED A FAIR PRICE FOR THEIR LAND 4HE CONFLICT ENDED ON !PRIL ST WHEN BOTH PARTIES CAME TO A NEW AGREEMENT 4HE SIT IN AT #ARRIZALILLO BECAME A TOPIC OF CONCERN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AFTER THE VIOLENT EVICTION OF LANDOWNERS ON *ANUARY TH /N THAT DAY THE -UNICIPAL AND 3TATE 0REVENTATIVE 0OLICE VIOLENTLY EVICTED APPROXIMATELY LANDOWNERS AMONG THEM WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND DETAINED THEM IN THE COMMUNITY PRISON IN :UMPANGO FOR FOUR HOURS !T THE TIME !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL FEARED ANOTHER EVICTION hCOULD CAUSE AN ESCALATION OF THE DISPUTE v ,OCAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS CONFIRMED THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT USED FORCE TO PREVENT THE LANDOWNERS FROM CONTINUING WITH THEIR CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS 4HEY DEMANDED THAT STATE AND FEDERAL POLITICAL LEADERS hASSUME A POLICY THAT RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS AND DOES NOT PUT ECONOMIC POLICIES FIRST POLICIES THAT FAVOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIVATE AND FOREIGN PROJECTS THAT ARE THE CAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED AGAINST THE LOCAL PEOPLE v )N THE LAST THREE YEARS COMMUNITIES IN FIVE ,ATIN !MERICAN COUNTRIES HAVE INITIATED SOCIAL MOVEMENTS TO PREVENT THE #ANADIAN COMPANY 'OLD #ORP )NC THE PARENT COMPANY OF ,UISMIN FROM DEVELOPING MINING PROJECTS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND DESTRUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT 4HE BLOCKAGE OF ,UISMIN IN 'UERRERO LED TO 'OLD #ORP S STOCK FALLING FROM TO DOLLARS IN THE 4ORONTO 3TOCK %XCHANGE RESULTING IN THE CORPORATION S OBLIGATION TO RENEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDOWNERS 4HE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IS OF NOTE SINCE IT GIVES HOPE TO OTHER SOCIAL MOVEMENTS SUCH AS THOSE
#ARRIED PHOTO 4ITA 2ADILLA AND RELATIVES OF THE MISSING PERSONS PREPARING THE REMAINS FOR THE BURIAL 0HOTO 0")
OPPOSED TO THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM ,A 0AROTA BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT hPEOPLE WHO DEFEND THEIR LAND RIGHTS CAN ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS v
-EXICO IS RANKED AS THE MOST DANGEROUS ,ATIN !MERICAN COUNTRY FOR REPORTING ON CRIME AND CORRUPTION !CCORDING TO THE )NTERNATIONAL &EDERATION OF *OURNALISTS )&* -EXICO IS THE MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRY IN ,ATIN !MERICA FOR JOURNALISTS WHO COVER CRIME AND CORRUPTION !CCORDING TO THE )&* S ANNUAL REPORT -EXICO WAS CLASSIFIED AS THE SECOND MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRY FOR JOURNALISTS IN THE WORLD FOLLOWING )RAQ 4HE 3PECIAL 2APPATEUR FOR &REEDOM OF %XPRESSION OF THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS REPORTED THAT BETWEEN /CTOBER ST AND $ECEMBER SIX JOURNALISTS WERE ASSASSINATED IN -EXICO FOR MOTIVES THAT COULD BE RELATED TO THEIR JOURNALISTIC ACTIVITIES !NOTHER PERSON REMAINS DISAPPEARED 4HIS ORGANISM REPORTS THE hEXTREME VULNERABILITYv OF JOURNALISTS IN -EXICO AND INSISTS THAT &ELIPE #ALDERØN S ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO ASSIGN MAXIMUM PRIORITY TO THIS ISSUE SO THAT THESE CRIMES ARE NOT LEFT IN IMPUNITY 4HE FUTURE OF THE /FFICE OF THE 3PECIAL 0ROSECUTOR FOR #RIMES AGAINST *OURNALISTS WHICH MAKES UP PART OF THE &EDERAL !TTORNEY 'ENERAL S /FFICE HAS BEEN IN QUESTION AS OF &EBRUARY WHEN ITS DIRECTOR RESIGNED 5PON SUBMITTING HIS RESIGNATION HE STATED THAT IN THE NINE MONTHS IN WHICH THE /FFICE HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE NOT ONE OF THE CASES HAS BEEN RESOLVED 4HE ENTITY CONTINUES TO BE IN QUESTION SINCE AUTHORITIES HAVE YET TO AGREE ON ITS STRUCTURE AND EFFECTIVENESS
%L 3UR &EBRUARY HTTP WWW AMNESTY ORG !#4&/27/-%. MEX ESL %L 3UR &EBRUARY HTTP WWW CIDH ORG ANNUALREP SP MEXICO %L 3UR &EBRUARY ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO !PRIL %L 3UR *ANUARY HTTP WWW AMNESTYINTERNATIONAL ORG !5 &EAR OF INTIMIDATION &EAR OF ILL TREATMENT %L 3UR *ANUARY HTTP WWW AMNESTYINTERNATIONAL ORG !5 &EAR OF INTIMIDATION &EAR OF ILL TREATMENT 0RESS "ULLETIN 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER HTTP WWW TLACHINOLLAN ORG NOTBP NOTBP HTM %L 3UR -ARCH ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO !PRIL IBID ,A *ORNADA *ANUARY %L 3UR *ANUARY ,A *ORNADA &EBRUARY ,A *ORNADA &EBRUARY DE
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
2ADIO 6OLADORA #OMMUNITY 2ADIO 5NDER 4HREAT )N -ARCH TWO MEMBERS OF THE 0") -EXICO 4EAM VISITED !MECAMECA STATE OF -EXICO TO INTERVIEW THE STAFF OF 2ADIO 6OLADORA !FTER THE 0OPOCATÏPETL VOLCANO ERUPTED IN .OVEMBER 2ADIO 6OLADORA BEGAN BROADCASTING AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION FOR THE COMMUNITY OF !MECAMECA $UE TO THE ALARMIST INFORMATION THE OFFICIAL MEDIA WAS DIFFUSING ABOUT THE EVENT THE RADIO DECIDED THEY NEEDED TO EXPLAIN WHAT WAS REALLY HAPPENING IN THE REGION 3INCE THEN THE 2ADIO HAS BECOME A POINT OF REFERENCE FOR BROADCASTING NEWS THAT REFLECTS THE REALITY OF LIFE IN !MECAMECA /SCAR 2ESÏNDIZ A MEMBER OF THE RADIO S BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXPLAINED THAT THE RADIO IS MADE UP OF LOCAL PEOPLE WHO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS THEIR VISION AND ABOUT THEIR NEEDS STATING THAT AT THE RADIO hWE ALL PARTICIPATE WE ALL COMMUNICATE AND WE ALL LISTEN v &OR /SCAR THE COMMUNITY RADIO IS THE ONLY TANGIBLE AND VISIBLE WAY TO SEE THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF PEOPLE S OPINIONS IN -EXICO THE RADIO GIVES INFORMATION NOT PUT ACROSS IN COMMERCIAL MEDIA AND PERMITS ACCESS TO A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION FOR hHUMBLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY v !CCORDING TO /SCAR THIS IS hONE OF THE ONLY POSSIBILITIES WE HAVE TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF DEMOCRACY IN THESE COMMUNITIES v 2ADIO 6OLADORA AIMS TO ATTEND TO THE MOST VULNERABLE SECTORS OF THE POPULATION 4HE POVERTY RATES ARE UNIMAGINABLE IN THE AREAS SURROUNDING !MECAMECA AND MOST OF THE RESIDENTS WORK AS SUBSISTENCE FARMERS !N ESTIMATED OF THE POPULATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY IS ILLITERATE AND THIS NUMBER CLIMBS TO IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES )N ITS EARLY YEARS THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE RADIO BELONGED TO THE 02$ 0ARTY OF THE $EMOCRATIC 2EVOLUTION AND PEOPLE QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE RADIO HAD ACADEMIC DEGREES 7ITH TIME THEY OVERCAME THESE TABOOS AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE NOW SEE THE RADIO AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY 6ERØNICA 'ALICIA ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RADIO STATES THAT THE LOCAL POPULATION hNOW KNOWS THAT IF THEY WANT TO SAY SOMETHING THEY CAN COME KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND LEAVE A MESSAGE THEY WANT TO SEND OUT v 2ADIO PROGRAMMING FOCUSES ON POLITICAL ANALYSIS SOCIAL CRITICISM COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DIFFUSION OF LOCAL TRADITIONS POPULAR MUSIC SPORTS STORIES LITERATURE OPINION NEWS AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS
4HE RADIO WAS GRANTED A LEGAL PERMIT TO BROADCAST ON -AY AND ITS PROGRAMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO SOME RESIDENTS OF !MECAMECA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES 4HE COMMUNITY RANKS 2ADIO 6OLADORA IN SECOND PLACE IN PREFERENCE WITH NATIONAL RADIOS INCLUDED 4HIS PAST YEAR THE RADIO HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL THREATS AGAINST THE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SAFETY OF ITS MEMBERS 4HE FIRST THREAT WAS RECEIVED ON !UGUST IN AN EMAIL THAT MENTIONED THE ADDRESSES OF THE RADIO MEMBERS AND ALLUDED TO THE RADIO S COVERAGE OF 3UB COMMANDER -ARCOS /THER #AMPAIGN 4WO WEEKS BEFORE RECEIVING THIS FIRST EMAIL THE RADIO OFFICE WAS BROKEN INTO FOR THE FIRST TIME !FTER THE ROBBERY AND A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO RECEIVING ANOTHER DEATH THREAT A PERSON SHOWED UP AT THE RADIO ASKING ABOUT THE %:,. :APATISTA !RMY FOR .ATIONAL ,IBERATION )N 3EPTEMBER THE RADIO RECEIVED TWO MORE EMAILS THAT CONTAINED DEATH THREATS /N 3EPTEMBER THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS )!#(2 GRANTED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO THE RADIO 2ADIO 6OLADORA IS ONE OF THE FEW CASES GRANTED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BY THE )!#(2 IN %VEN SO ANOTHER EMAIL ARRIVED IN $ECEMBER WHICH DIRECTLY THREATENED RADIO DIRECTOR $ANIEL )VÉN 'ARCÓA -ANRÓQUEZ AND MENTIONED PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM SUCH AS THE LOCATION OF HIS OFFICE HIS HOME AND HIS CELL PHONE NUMBER 6ERONICA STATES THAT EVER SINCE THESE THREATS hOUR PERSONAL SITUATION AT THE RADIO COMPLETELY CHANGED 7E WERE VERY AFRAID EVEN WHEN WE HAD THE DOOR LOCKED AND WE WONDERED WHO COULD POSSIBLY HATE US THIS MUCH TO SEND US THESE MESSAGES v $UE TO THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES THE LOCAL POLICE AND THE &EDERAL )NVESTIGATIVE !GENCY !&) BEGAN TO DO ROUNDS AT THE RADIO BUT INSTEAD OF FEELING LIKE THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONDUCTING AN PROPER INVESTIGATION THE STAFF OF 2ADIO 6OLADORA SAID THAT T HEY FEL T LI K E T H EY W E RE TH E ON E S
/SCAR 2ESÏNDIZ 'ALVÉN AND 6ERØNICA 'ALICIA #ASTRO MEMBERS OF 2ADIO 6OLADORA 0HOTO 0")
BEING INVESTIGATED 4HE POLICE CAME BY TO TAKE PICTURES OF EVERYTHING AND ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RADIO S WORK QUESTIONS MEMBERS SAID ONLY INTIMIDATED THEM MORE !CCORDING TO THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES THE POLICE WERE TO CARRY OUT ROUNDS AT THE RADIO EVERY HALF HOUR BUT THEY STOPPED DOING THE ROUNDS AFTER ONE MONTH /SCAR ADMITS THAT THE RADIO S PRODUCTIVITY HAS GONE DOWN IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TO FOLLOW UP ON THE COMPLAINTS AND THE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS h&OR THIS REASON WE HAVE LOST ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF WORK IN THE RADIO v 4HEY CAN NO LONGER WALK ON THE STREET ALONE AND THEY HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEIR DAILY ROUTINES !CCORDING TO /SCAR THE RADIO S BROADCASTING OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE /THER #AMPAIGN AND THE EVENTS IN /AXACA WERE WHAT TRIGGERED THE THREATS $ESPITE EVERYTHING 6ERØNICA STATES THAT THE RADIO HAS MAINTAINED ITS GOAL OF hNOT MODIFYING ANY OF THE POLITICAL CONTENTv AND THE PROGRAMMING HAS REMAINED THE SAME 2ADIO 6OLADORA PLANS ON IMPLEMENTING MORE AMBITIOUS CULTURAL PROJECTS TO OFFER hAN OPENING OF SPACES FOR PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY v
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
4HE #OLLECTIVE AGAINST 4ORTURE AND )MPUNITY ##4) OPENS AN OFFICE IN !CAPULCO OF TORTURE (OW CAN IT BE DOCUMENTED AND WHAT KIND OF LEGAL DEFENSE CAN BE TAKEN ON )N ADDITION WHEN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS HAVE BEEN DETECTED AND CLARIFIED COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE CALLED TO COLLECT TESTIMONIES AND HELP TO REPORT THE CASE TO AUTHORITIES 4HESE HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTERS FORM A SUPPORT NETWORK AND PROMOTE THE STRUGGLE AGAINST TORTURE AND IMPUNITY ##4) ALSO PROVIDES ADVANCED TRAINING IN MEDICINE PSYCHOLOGY AND LEGAL AFFAIRS SO THAT THESE MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THEIR ETHICICAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
! MEMBER OF ##4) IN A WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY THE GROUP 0HOTO ##4)
)N *ANUARY THE #OLLECTIVE AGAINST 4ORTURE AND )MPUNITY ##4) OPENED A LOCAL OFFICE IN !CAPULCO ##4) HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN !CAPULCO FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS BUT UNTIL NOW HAS WORKED WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL OFFICE )N *UNE THE #OLLECTIVE WAS CONSTITUTED AS A #IVIL !SSOCIATION WITH THEIR MAIN OFFICE IN THE &EDERAL $ISTRICT OF -EXICO 3INCE THEN ITS TECHNICAL TEAM MADE UP OF STAFF WHO WORK IN MEDICINE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS HAS BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF TORTURE AND TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF D E T A IN EES SU RV I V ORS OF REP RE SSION A N D COMMUNITIES WHOSE SOCIAL STRUCTURE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY MILITARIZATION !CCORDING TO *OSÏ 2AYMUNDO $ÓAZ 4ABOADA A DOCTOR AND MEMBER OF THE !CAPULCO OFFICE ##4) WAS CREATED AFTER A PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN A VERTICALLY ORGANIZED ORGANIZATION THAT SUFFERED FROM A LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE SURVIVORS OF TORTURE )N PART OF THIS TECHNICAL TEAM LEFT TO FORM ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN WHICH hWORK WOULD BE PLANNED OUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY SO THAT SURVIVORS AND FAMILY MEMBERS COULD TAKE PART IN THE DECISIONS 3INCE VARIOUS SURVIVORS ALREADY BELONG TO OTHER SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS THEIR PARTICIPATION IN OUR ASSEMBLY IS VERY IMPORTANT 7E WANTED TO CREATE A STRUCTURE THAT WAS AS HORIZONTAL AS POSSIBLE v ##4) HAS A TEAM OF TWO DOCTORS AND VARIOUS VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFER SUPPORT AND CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS 4HESE INCLUDE
DRAFTING PUBLIC REPORTS CARRYING OUT LEGAL COMPLAINTS URGENT ACTIONS LEGAL SUPPORT OFFERING INVESTIGATIONS TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF TORTURE AND TAKING PART IN MARCHES FOR ANNIVERSARIES OF IMPORTANT EVENTS SUCH AS THE BICYCLE CARAVAN ON *UNE THROUGH -EXICO #ITY S HISTORIC CENTER TO PROTEST AGAINST THE SEXUAL TORTURE OF WOMEN DURING THE POLICE OPERATIVE IN !TENCO 4HE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTENTION TO TORTURE SURVIVORS FAMILY MEMBERS OF PRISONERS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY REPRESSION 4HIS INCLUDES ORGANISING WORKSHOPS FOR INSTANCE IN !TENCO SO THAT THE VICTIMS COULD TALK ABOUT THE VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE THERE LAST -AY h4RAINING IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR WORK v STATES 2AYMUNDO h3OME COMMUNITIES ASK US TO CONDUCT WORKSHOPS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE DEFINITION OF TORTURE 3OMETIMES THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY TORTURE DON T EVEN KNOW HOW TO DEFINE TORTURE )N SOME AREAS THE USE OF VIOLENCE BY SOLDIERS AND POLICE IS SO COMMON THAT PEOPLE RUN THE RISK OF SEEING IT AS NORMAL "ECAUSE OF THIS IN SPECIFIC CASES OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE WE START BY TALKING WITH THE LOCAL POPULATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY v $URING THESE SESSIONS COMMUNITY MEMBERS RESPOND TO QUESTIONS SUCH AS 7HAT CAN BE D ON E I N CA S E S
h!NOTHER IMPORTANT ACTIVITY IS OUR WORK WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS 7E HAVE BEEN REGULARLY VISITING PRISONERS IN !CAPULCO BUT WE ARE UNABLE TO VISIT PRISONS OUTSIDE !CAPULCO BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC AND HUMAN RESOURCES NEEDED TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE CITY 7E HAVEN T ENCOUNTERED MANY PROBLEMS ENTERING AND VISITING THE PRISONERS BECAUSE WE RE ABLE TO ARRANGE MANY OF THEM AS FAMILY VISITS /NCE WE WERE ABLE TO OFFICIALLY GAIN ACCESS TO ABOUT PRISONERS IN #HILPANCINGO AND !CAPULCO )N ADDITION WE ARE LOOKING TO CREATE A PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL MODEL TO DOCUMENT CASES OF INMATE MISTREATMENT BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN EASY v 4HE #OLLECTIVE IS CONCERNED ABOUT TORTURE IN 'UERRERO SINCE hAT THE STATE LEVEL THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST TORTURE !T THE FEDERAL LEVEL TORTURE IS DEFINED AS A CRIME ONLY IF THERE ARE SEVERE INJURIES WHICH MAKES THE WORK DIFFICULT FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT FIGHT TO ERADICATE THIS PRACTICE THAT IS STILL VERY COMMON v 4HE OPENING OF AN OFFICIAL ##4) OFFICE IN 'UERRERO REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT IN hA STATE THAT IS PARTICULARLY VIOLENT AND DOES NOT CRIMINALIZE TORTURE IN THE PENAL CODE v ##4) CAN NOW BETTER RESPOND TO THE HIGH LEVEL OF VIOLATIONS AGAINST INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE RIGHTS THAT CHARACTERIZE THE STATE
)NTERVIEW WITH *OSÏ 2AYMUNDO $ÓAZ 4ABOADA ON &EBRUARY BY 0") -EXICO
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
/BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL MEETS WITH THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE INDIGENOUS -E 0HAA PEOPLE AND SECRETARY OF THE /RGANIZATION OF THE )NDIGENOUS -E 0HAA 0EOPLE /0)- TOOK PART IN A HEARING BEFORE THE PRESIDENT OF THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS )!#(2 ON !PRIL TH IN WHICH THE STATUS OF HER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES GRANTED TO HER IN TO PROTECT HER PHYSICAL SAFETY WERE REVIEWED 0") HAS BEEN PROVIDING INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT TO /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL SINCE &LORENTIN -ELENDEZ PRESIDENT OF THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS )!#(2 AND 2APPORTEUR FOR -EXICO VISITED -EXICO IN ORDER TO hOBSERVE AND RECEIVEv INFORMATION ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION THE COUNTRY AND TO MEET WITH AUTHORITIES IN THE NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS $URING A HEARING ON !PRIL TH -R -ELENDEZ MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS 32% AND WITH /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY -ARIO 0ATRØN 3ÉNCHEZ ATTORNEY WITH THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER 4HIS MEETING REVIEWED THE COMPLIANCE OF ORDER DATED *ANUARY WHICH STATES THAT THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT MUST P R O VI DE PR OTECT ION TO /BT ILI A HER FAMILY
MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF HER ORGANIZATION 4HE HEARING ALSO TOOK STEPS TO JUDICIALLY CLARIFY THE EVENTS THAT JUSTIFY THE ADOPTION OF THE MEASURES 2EPRESENTATIVES OF THE 32% ASKED THE PRESIDENT OF THE )!#(2 TO ANNUL THE PROTECTIVE ORDER HOWEVER -ARIO 0ATRØN 3ÉNCHEZ STATED THAT THE hPRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WERE NEVER CARRIED OUT IN THE WAY IN WHICH THEY WERE AGREED UPON AND /BTILIA STILL REMAINS VULNERABLE v 0ATRØN STATED THAT hWE CONSIDER THAT INVESTIGATING THE THREATS /BTILIA HAS RECEIVED IS THE BEST ;PROTECTIVE= MEASURE SINCE FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE IMPUNITY IS WHAT MAKES HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS VULNERABLE v (E ADDED hTHERE HAS BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO INVESTIGATE THE THREATS DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE INFORMATION THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE WHO IS HARASSING HER WORKS FOR THE -EXICAN !RMY v !CCORDING TO 0ATRØN hTHE -EXICAN GO VERNM EN T W A N T S TO W I TH D R A W T H E PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TACITLY ASSUME THAT /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL IS NOT AT RISK AND AS A RESULT THERE IS NO NEED TO GUARANTEE HER SAFETY v /BTILIA STATED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE )!#(2 THAT hTHE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT PROTECT THE SOLDIERS AND DON T WANT TO INVESTIGATE WHILE ) AM STILL BEING WATCHED AND PURSUED v
$URING HIS VISIT &LORENTÓN -ELÏNDEZ PRESENTED A REPORT TO THE 32% CONCERNING THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN THE !MERICAS 4HIS DOCUMENT EXPRESSES ITS hPROFOUND CONCERNv FOR THE ALARMING RATE OF IMPUNITY IN THE !MERICAS )T ALSO SHOWS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HAS MULTIPLIED THE GOVERNMENT IS STILL hOBLIGATED TO GUARANTEE THE PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN RIGHTS v )N ADDITION ACTIVISTS MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL PROTECTION IN SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEIR CASES ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY INVESTIGATED IN WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS SLOW OR SITUATIONS IN WHICH THERE IS LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE OBSTACLES THAT ACTIVISTS FACE IN CARRYING OUT THEIR ACTIVITIES 4HESE ARE ALL FACTORS THAT ALLOW FOR THE IMPUNITY OF THOSE WHO CARRY OUT AGGRESSIONS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
%L 5NIVERSAL !PRIL h-ILITARY 4HREATv %L 0ROCESO .O !PRIL IBID IBID IBID IBID ,A *ORNADA !PRIL
4HE 'UERRERO (UMAN 2IGHTS .ETWORK MOBILIZES AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE !LTHOUGH THE 'UERRERO (UMAN 2IGHTS .ETWORK WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED TO STRENGTHEN THE DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT ARE ACTIVELY WORKING IN THE AREA OF HUMAN RIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE .ETWORK HAS BEEN CHANGING AND INCREASING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS 4HE .ETWORK CURRENTLY ACTS NOT ONLY AS A COORDINATION OF ORGANIZATIONS BUT ALSO HAS ITS OWN OBJECTIVES AS AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT ORGANIZES WORKSHOPS CARRIES OUT INVESTIGATIONS AND OFFERS LEGAL SUPPORT WITH THEIR RECENTLY OPENED SPACE $URING THE LAST YEAR THE .ETWORK HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND REPRESENTS THE FIRST ORGANIZATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS AREA )N .OVEMBER IT PRESENTED THE h$IAGNOSTIC 2EPORT ABOUT (UMAN 2IGHTS AND 6IOLENCE AGAINST 7OMEN IN THE STATE OF 'UERREROv THAT SPECIFICALLY DEALS WITH WOMEN S RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE !CCORDING TO 3ILVIA #ASTILLO 3ALGADO 4ECHNICAL 3ECRETARY OF THE .ETWORK hVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THE SITUATION IN 'UERRERO IS NOW WORSE THAN IN #IUDAD *UÉREZ 0UBLIC FIGURES DO NOT REFLECT THE REALITY AND THE 3TATE !TTORNEY 'ENERAL ALWAYS DENIES INFORMATION )T IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT NUMBER OF hFEMINICIDESv IN -EXICO v
4HE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT OFFERS AN ANALYSIS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VIOLENCE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL THAT WOMEN EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS EXPLAINING ITS CAUSES )T POINTS OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THESE SITUATIONS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN SUCH AS THE RIGHT TO LIFE HEALTH JUSTICE AND EQUALITY 4HE REPORT HOPES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION INCREASE AWARENESS OF WOMEN S RIGHTS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO INSTITUTIONS THAT WORK IN THIS FIELD 4HE .ETWORK ALSO WANTS TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITUATION OF WOMEN IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT OF 'UERRERO BY THE /FFICE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS /(#(2 !CCORDING TO #ASTILLO 3ALGADO hTHE 3TATE MUST REACT TO THE /(#(2 DIAGNOSTIC REPORT v 7OMEN S RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE REACTED POSITIVELY TO THE INVESTIGATION AND PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT AND POINT OUT THAT VIOLENCE IS NOT ONLY DOMESTIC BUT ALSO INSTITUTIONAL 4HE CASES OUTLINED hSHOW THAT THE VIOLENCE WOMEN ARE EXPOSED TO IS NOT ONLY A RESULT OF BEING A WOMAN BUT IS ALSO BASED ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION BY THE 3TATE THAT INCLUDES PHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE v #ONCERNING THE CAUSE OF VIOLENCE IN 'UERRERO THE AUTHORS OF THE REPORT CONSIDER THAT hMILITARIZATION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING ARE TWO IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN 'UERRERO THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS v
/FFERING TO WOMEN KILLED IN 'UERRERO STATE /CTOBER 0HOTO 4HE 'UERRERO .ETWORK
3ILVIA #ASTILLO 3ALGADO EXPLAINS THAT THE .ETWORK WANTS TO PRESENT THIS WORK TO SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES IN REGIONS WHERE THERE ARE FEWER REPORTS OF GENDER VIOLENCE 3INCE MOST VIOLENCE OCCURS IN THE VICTIM S HOME THERE IS INTENSE PRESSURE FOR THE VICTIMS NOT TO REPORT THESE CRIMES !S PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN THE .ETWORK PUBLISHED h7OMEN S 2IGHT TO A ,IFE 7ITHOUT 6IOLENCE v
)NTERVIEW WITH 3ILVIA #ASTILLO 3ALGADO ON &EBRUARY )DEM 'UERRERO (UMAN 2IGHTS .ETWORK ET AL h$IAGNOSTIC ABOUT (UMAN 2IGHTS AND 6IOLENCE AGAINST 7OMEN IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO v .OVEMBER P )DEM P )DEM
"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
2EMAINS 2ETURNED TO !TOYAC OF 0EOPLE $ETAINED AND $ISAPPEARED $URING THE $IRTY 7AR /N &EBRUARY THE 'ENERAL #OORDINATION OF )NVESTIGATIONS OF THE &EDERAL !TTORNEY 'ENERAL S /FFICE 0'2 WHO HAS NOW TAKEN OVER THE CASES OF THE RECENTLY CLOSED &EMOSPP DELIVERED THE REMAINS OF THE FIRST TWO VICTIMS TO BE IDENTIFIED FROM THE $IRTY 7AR OF THE @ S AND @ S 4HE DELIVERY OF THESE REMAINS IS THE RESULT OF A LONG PROCESS DURING WHICH FAMILY MEMBERS AND !&!$%- FILED COMPLAINTS REPORTS A ND L EG A L A N D A D MI N IS T R AT IVE PAPERWORK
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION !FTER A DELAY OF EIGHT HOURS AND WITHOUT SHOWING ANY SENSITIVITY OR RESPECT TOWARD THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE VICTIMS THE 'ENERAL #OORDINATION OF 3PECIAL )NVESTIGATIONS OF THE 0'2 DELIVERED THE REMAINS OF THE VICTIMS WARNING THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT IF THE MEDIA TOOK PICTURES OF THE COFFINS THEY WOULD NOT BE HANDED OVER !CCORDING TO *ULIO -ATA %XECUTIVE 3ECRETARY OF !&!$%- AFTER LIVING IN UNCERTAINTY FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES THE FAMILIES WERE ONCE AGAIN VICTIMIZED BY THE @ARROGANCE OF THE AUTHORITIES
$UE TO PRESSURE FROM FAMILY MEMBERS AND AS A RESULT OF THE &EMOSPP S INVESTIGATIONS TO CLARIFY THE DETENTIONS AND DISAPPEARANCES DURING THE $IRTY 7AR THE /FFICE OF THE 3PECIAL 0ROSECUTOR EXHUMED THE REMAINS OF TWO GRAVESITES IN *UNE IN 'UAYABILLO IN THE 3IERRA OF 4ECPAN DE 'ALEANA 'UERRERO h !S A RESULT OF THE CRIMINAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL DENTAL AND VIDEO FORENSIC STUDIES BY 4ITA 2ADILLA WITH THE RELATIVES OF THE MISSING PERSONS DELIVERED INVESTIGATORS THE REMAINS WERE OPPOSITE THE OFFICE OF THE !&!$%- 0HOTO 0") IDENTIFIED AS BELONGING TO THE TWO )N *UNE THE &EMOSPP /FFICE OF THE 3PECIAL 0ROSECUTOR FOR 0AST 3OCIAL AND 0OLITICAL -OVEMENTS EXHUMED THE BODIES OF ,INO 2OSAS 0ÏREZ AND %STEBAN -ESINO -ARTÓNEZ 4HE TWO HAD BEEN GUERRILLAS AND COLLABORATORS WITH ,UCIO #ABA×AS GUERRILLA LEADER OF THE 0OOR 0EOPLE S 0ARTY WHO WERE DETAINED TOGETHER WITH HIM ON $ECEMBER 4HEY HAD BEEN DISAPPEARED FOR YEARS &OLLOWING THE EXHUMATIONS THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS SPENT MONTHS WAITING TO RECEIVE THEIR REMAINS )N &EBRUARY THE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO RECOVER THEIR REMAINS COMMEMORATE THEIR DEATHS AND GIVE THEM A FUNERAL &INALLY !FTER YEARS OF SUFFERING UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE LOCATION OF MORE THAN PEOPLE WHO WERE DETAINED AND DISAPPEARED SADNESS CONTINUING PAIN INTENTIONAL INJURY CAUSED TO THE FAMILY TO THE TOWN AND TO SOCIETY THIS HAS FINALLY COME TO AN END x 4HE RESISTANCE OF FAMILY MEMBERS ORGANIZED IN !&!$%- ;!SSOCIATION OF 2ELATIVES OF THE $ETAINED $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS !BUSES IN -EXICO= AND THE SOLIDARITY OF MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAS NOW SHOWN RESULTS
&OR !&!$%- THE RETURN OF THE PHYSICAL REMAINS IS A SYMBOL OF THE FIGHT TO RECOVER THE DISAPPEARED FAMILY MEMBERS AND A SYMBOL OF THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE IN THE CRIMES THE 3TATE COMMITTED AGAINST THE POPULATION "Y DELIVERING THE REMAINS OF THE FIRST IDENTIFIED VICTIMS THE 0'2 IS ACKNOWLEDGING THE EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS BY THE 3TATE DURING THE @ S AND @ S 4HE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION RECOGNIZED THIS IN (OWEVER RECOVERING THE REMAINS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED 4HEY WERE EXECUTED BY MEMBERS OF THE -EXICAN !RMY WHICH MEANS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES v
PEOPLE WHO ACCOMPANIED ,UCIO #ABA×AS IN THE LAST ENCOUNTER ON $ECEMBER 4HESE REMAINS WERE FOUND TO HAVE PERFORATIONS IN THEIR SKULLS WHICH INCLUDED TRACES OF LEAD 4HE VICTIMS WERE RURAL TEACHERS IN THE 3IERRA OF !TOYAC AND ARE THE ONLY VICTIMS THAT THE &EMOSPP HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY DURING YEARS OF INVESTIGATION h4HE JUDICIAL INVESTIGATIONS ESTABLISH THAT BOTH GUERRILLA LEADERS WERE EXTRA JUDICIALLY EXECUTED AND THEIR BODIES SHOW SIGNS OF HAVING SUFFERED FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF INJURIES WHICH !&!$%- CONSIDERS PROOF OF THE gILLEGAL ACTIONS AND THE TERROR USED BY THE GOVERNMENT AGAINST DISSIDENTS v )N .OVEMBER THE EXACT IDENTITY OF THE TWO VICTIMS WAS CONFIRMED AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE INFORMED 3INCE THAT DAY THERE HAVE BEEN MONTHS OF DELAYS AND COMPLICATIONS IN THE RETURN OF THE REMAINS TO THEIR FAMILIES $ESPITE THE FACT THAT THE &EMOSPP INITIALLY PROMISED TO RETURN THE REMAINS TO FAMILY MEMBERS IN !TOYAC DE £LVAREZ IN $ECEMBER THE REMAINS WERE NOT DELIVERED UNTIL PM ON &EBRUARY TH IN -EXICO #ITY 4HE FAMILY MEMBERS HAD TO TRAVEL TO -EXICO #ITY TO RECOVER THE REMAINS WHICH MEANT A PERSONAL AND ECONOMIC EFFORT THAT ADDED TO THEIR
!&!$%- CONTINUES TO DOCUMENT AND DENOUNCE THE HUNDREDS OF CASES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE FORCIBLY DISAPPEARED )TS MEMBERS CONTINUE TO HAVE HOPE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO RECOVER THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS OBTAIN JUSTICE AND PUNISH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIMES 4HEY HOPE THAT &ELIPE #ALDERØN S GOVERNMENT CONTINUES WITH THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THESE PAST CRIMES
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0UBLIC 2ELATIONS )NTERVIEWS WITH -EXICAN !UTHORITIES &EDERAL ,EVEL *UAN DE $IOS #ASTRO ,OZANO $EPUTY !TTORNEY 'ENERAL !TTENTION TO 6ICTIMS AND 3ERVICES TO THE #OMMUNITY OF THE &EDERAL !TTORNEY 'ENERAL S /FFICE 0'2 6ÓCTOR *OSÏ -EJÓA $OMÓNGUEZ $IRECTOR OF )MMIGRATION OF THE .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF )MMIGRATION ).- (UGO &LORES :Þ×IGA $EPUTY $IRECTOR OF )MMIGRATION OF THE .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF )MMIGRATION !LBERT O 0 IED RA $IRECT OR OF #OMMUNICATION WITH .'/ S .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION &RANCISCO #ARRILLO $ÓAZ "ARRIGA 'ENERAL $IRECTOR OF THE /FFICE OF THE #OMMISSIONER OF THE $ECENTRALIZED /RGAN OF 0REVENTION AND 3OCIAL 2EADAPTATION $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY AND #ITIZEN 0ROTECTION /M EHE IRA ,Ø P EZ 2E YNA &ED E RAL 2EPRESENTATIVE AND 0RESIDENT OF THE (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION OF THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES
0UBLIC 0RESENTATIONS 0RESENTATION OF 0") S WORK BEFORE THE 0UBLIC 3ECURITY #OMMISSION AND THE (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION IN THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES
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"ULLETIN FOR THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT
-EETING OF THE THREE ,ATIN !MERICAN 0") 0ROJECTS &ROM -ARCH UNTIL !PRIL REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE THREE 0") PROJECTS IN ,ATIN !MERICA WHICH INCLUDE #OLOMBIA 'UATEMALA AND -EXICO PARTICIPATED IN A VISIT OF THE THREE COUNTRIES 4HE GOAL OF THE TOUR WAS TO LEARN ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF T H E T H R E E P RO J E C T S I N C R E A S E CONTA C T S VIS I T HU M AN R IG HTS DEFENDERS AND EXCHANGE STRATEGIES 4HE REPRESENTATIVES BEGAN THE VISIT IN #O L O MB I A CONTI N UED O N TO -EXICO AND FINISHED IN 'UATEMALA 4HEY VISITED THE 0EACE #OMMUNITIES OF 3AN *OSÏ DE !PARTADØ IN #OLOMBIA DURING THE C E L E B R A T I O N O F T H E I R T E N T H ANNIVERSARY AND MET WITH SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS IN "OGOTÉ AND -EDELLÓN INCLUDING THE *UDICIAL &REEDOM #ORPORATION THE )NTERCHURCH #OMMISSION FOR *USTICE AND 0EACE THE .ATIONAL ) N D I G E N O U S / R G A N I Z A T I O N O F #O L O M B I A A N D T H E , AW YE R S g #OLLECTIVE *OSÏ !LVEAR 2ESTREPO )N -EXICO THE GROUP MET WITH EXPERTS ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS STAFF FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER THE /RGANIZATION OF THE )NDIGENOUS - E 0H A A 0E O P L E T H E #E RE ZO #OMMITTEE AND 3ERAPAZ &OLLOWING -EXICO THE DELEGATION TRAVELED TO 'UATEMALA WHERE THEY MET WITH THE !SSOCIATION OF &RIENDS OF THE ) Z A B A L , A K E T H E . A T I O N A L #OORDINATOR OF -ARGINALIZED !REAS OF 'UATEMALA AND THE 'UATEMALAN !SSOCIATION OF )NDIGENOUS -AYORS A ND !U T HO R ITIE S ) N T HE TH RE E COUNTRIES THE DELEGATION HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE SITUATION OF VARIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHO ARE ACCOMPANIED BY 0") 4HESE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WORK IN SEVERAL AREAS INCLUDING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE S RIGHTS LAND ECONOMIC SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS IMPUNITY AND THE STRENGTHENING OF LOCAL PROCESSES 4HESE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS LIVE IN A HIGH RISK SITUATION DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THEIR WORK
0E A CE " 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 UT HO R I T IE S I N A N E FFO R T TO RAI SE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS
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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 )NFORMATION "ULLETIN PLEASE CONTACT THE 0ROJECT /FFICE IN 3AN &RANCISCO OR THE 0") 4EAM IN -EXICO