Bulletin 23 - January 2008

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0EACE "RIGADES )NTERNATIONAL 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN

IN -EXICO .UMBER *ANUARY .OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION

)NCARCERATION OF SOCIAL LEADERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN 'UERRERO

.ADIN 2EYES -ALDONADO

DAUGHTER OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED PEOPLE FROM /AXACA TALKS ABOUT HER FATHERgS DISAPPEARANCE 2ADIO #ALENDA SERVING ITS COMMUNITY -EXICO BEFORE THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS

!CCOMPANIMENT OF THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER IN THE ,A 0AROTA CASE

3ERIOUS CONCERN FOR THE SECURITY OF THE PEOPLE 0") ACCOMPANIES

4HE -EXICO TEAMgS WORK

M AKING SPACE FOR PEACE


0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN

.OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION 4HE -ERIDA )NICIATIVE /N /CTOBER THE 3ECRETARY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS 0ATRICIA %SPINOSA SPOKE TO THE #OMMISSION ON &OREIGN !FFAIRS OF THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES TO PRESENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SO CALLED -ERIDA )NITIATIVE 4HIS INITIATIVE INFORMALLY KNOWN AS 0LAN -EXICO FOR ITS SIMILARITY TO 0LAN #OLOMBIA THE 5 3 !ID PLAN TO #OLOMBIA TO FIGHT DRUG TRAFFICKING HAS BEEN IN NEGOTIATION SINCE THE BILATERAL MEETING OF THE 5 3 AND -EXICO IN -ERIDA LAST -ARCH !CCORDING TO THE &OREIGN 3ECRETARY THIS INITIATIVE INVOLVES A STRONG INVESTMENT BY THE 5NITED 3TATES IN -EXICO AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT TRAINING OF POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES AND A STRONGER COLLABORATION OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES OF THE TWO COUNTRIES )N -EXICO THE 5 3 AND #ANADA ALREADY UNITED BY THE .ORTH !MERICAN &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT SINCE CREATED THE 3ECURITY AND 0ROSPERITY !LLIANCE OF .ORTH !MERICA WITH THE GOAL OF DEVELOPING A UNIFIED APPROACH TO SECURITY MATTERS $URING THE SPEECH SEVERAL LEGISLATORS CRITICIZED THE FACT THAT THE AGREEMENTS WERE MADE WITHOUT #ONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL AND THAT THE INITIATIVE WHOSE BUDGET WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE 5 3 #ONGRESS IN &EBRUARY WOULD PUT NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AT RISK 2EPRESENTATIVE 3AMUEL !GUILAR 3OLIS 02) DENOUNCED THE EXISTENCE OF A DOUBLE DISCOURSE REGARDING THE MATTER AN INTERNAL ONE IN WHICH AUTHORITIES SYSTEMATICALLY DENY THE EXISTENCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE AGREEMENTS AND ONLY GENERALLY TALK ABOUT FIGHTING CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ANOTHER IN THE 5 3 WHICH STATES THAT THE GOAL OF THE INITIATIVE IS TO FIGHT TERRORISM AND TO SECURE THE BORDERS 2EPRESENTATIVE AND -ILITARY 'ENERAL 2OBERTO "ADILLO 02) EXPRESSED HIS DOUBTS ABOUT THE 5 3 GOVERNMENTgS INTENTIONS REGARDING THE AID PACKAGE AND HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE RISKS THAT IT IMPLIES FOR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY 4HE INITIATIVE ALLOWS FOR THE INVESTMENT OF AROUND BILLION DOLLARS THAT WOULD BE DIVIDED AMONGST THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY AND THE .ATIONAL !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE AT AND THE $EPARTMENT OF .ATIONAL $EFENSE AT !TTORNEY 'ENERAL %DUARDO -EDINA -ORA TRAVELED TO "OGOTA IN /CTOBER WHERE HE MET WITH 5 3 AND #OLOMBIAN AUTHORITIES IN ORDER TO SHARE INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCES ABOUT FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKING AND WHERE HE MAY HAVE REQUESTED SUPPORT IN BREAKING UP THE -EXICAN DRUG CARTELS

A LIFE IS FOUND TO EVIDENTLY BE AT RISK OR IF A THIRD PARTY PROVIDES SUCH INFORMATION v )N ADDITION THE MEASURE WILL GOVERN LOCAL POLICE AND !TTORNEY 'ENERAL S /FFICES AND WILL GIVE A GREEN LIGHT SO THAT TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS CAN BE RECORDED AND ACCEPTED AS PROOF OF A CRIME 4HE 0RESIDENT OF THE #OMMISSION ON *USTICE 02) SAID THAT THE MEASURE PLACES LIMITS ENDS POLICE ABUSES GIVES THE 3TATE THE TOOLS TO COMBAT ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE TOOLS TO RECONSTRUCT THE SOCIAL FABRIC (OWEVER THE #ONSULTATIVE "OARD OF THE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION STATED THAT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS hCOULD MEAN A SETBACK IN TERMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS v !CADEMICS AND CIVIL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOWED THEIR DISCONTENT TOWARDS THIS REFORM AND ASKED THE 3ENATE TO REVISE THE INITIATIVE IN ORDER TO AVOID hINCORPORATING RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS INTO THE #ONSTITUTIONv AND hNORMS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PUT THESE RIGHTS AT RISK v 4HE NEED TO REFORM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS URGENT AND HAS BEEN SHARED BY MANY SECTORS OF SOCIETY AND WAS ONE OF THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE /FFICE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS IN -EXICO TO THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT IN 4HE GOAL OF THE REFORM IS TO ATTACK THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES IN THE PENAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND hSHOULD NOT LEAVE OUT THE 3TATEgS OBLIGATIONS TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE PART OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW v #ASES HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED IN -EXICO IN WHICH FOR POLITICAL MORE THAN JUDICIAL REASONS INNOCENT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED OF hBELONGINGv TO hORGANIZED CRIME v 4HE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS IS RECOGNIZED AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE AND SHOULD NOT ALLOW FOR ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION (OWEVER IN THIS REFORM A CERTAIN SET OF RULES WOULD BE DESIGNED FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED OF BELONGING TO ORGANIZED CRIME RINGS STRIPPING THEM OF THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS /RGANIZATIONS HAVE STATED THAT LEGALIZING PRACTICES SUCH AS DETAINING SOMEONE WHILE CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION OR CARRYING OUT A RAID WITHOUT A JUDICIAL ORDER IS CONTRADICTORY GIVEN THAT -EXICO ALREADY hHAS THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO DEMOCRATICALLY CARRY OUT SECURITY AND JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES WHILE RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS v #URRENT PROBLEMS SUCH AS CORRUPTION AND INEFFICIENCY OF STATE AGENTS ARE DUE TO FACTORS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE #ONSTITUTION

4HE %02 ANNOUNCES NEW ACTIONS 2EFORMS TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM /N $ECEMBER THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES WITH VOTES BY THE 0!. THE 02) AND SOME OF THE 02$ APPROVED A MEASURE INVOLVING CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SECURITY 4HE MEASURE WAS PASSED TO THE 3ENATE FOR REVIEW AND AMONG OTHER THINGS IT STATES THAT hHOMES CAN BE RAIDED WITHOUT A COURT WARRANT IF A

4HE 0EOPLEgS 2EVOLUTIONARY !RMY %02 HAS FOUND 0RESIDENT &ELIPE #ALDERON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISAPPEARANCE ON -AY OF %DMUNDO 2EYES !MAYA AND 'ABRIEL #RUZ 3ANCHEZ ALLEGED LEADERS OF THE %02 )N A RECENT STATEMENT THEY WARNED THAT hTHE STATE ALONG WITH THE LARGE CORPORATIONS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE v

#OVER 0HOTO &RANCISCO #EREZO OF THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE ON )NTERNATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS $AY 0HOTO 0")

)N A PRESS RELEASE DATED $ECEMBER THE GUERRILLA GROUP ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD ONCE AGAIN BEGIN MILITARY HARASSMENT STATING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE %02gS PREVIOUS WARNINGS IN WHICH IT DEMANDED THE PRESENTATION AND LIBERATION OF 2EYES !MAYA AND #RUZ 3ANCHEZ $URING THE MONTHS OF *ULY AND 3EPTEMBER THE %02 TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SERIES OF ATTACKS AGAINST SEVERAL INSTALLATIONS OF THE STATE RUN PETROLEUM COMPANY 0%-%8 CAUSING SERIOUS ECONOMIC DAMAGE 4HE LAST EXPLOSION WAS ON 3EPTEMBER 4HE %02 DISQUALIFIED THE FIRST YEAR OF &ELIPE #ALDERONgS GOVERNMENT CRITICIZED THE .ATIONAL 3UPREME #OURT OF *USTICE AND WARNED ABOUT THE COMPLICATIONS OF THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM h,A 0AROTAv IN THE STATE OF 'UERRERO )N ADDITION IT CRITICIZED THE REFORM OF THE )NSTITUTE FOR 3ECURITY AND 3OCIAL 3ERVICES FOR 3TATE 7ORKERS AS WELL AS LABOR AND ELECTORAL REFORMS BECAUSE THEY SHOW A hCLEAR TENDENCY OF MOVING TO THE RIGHT AND A LEGALIZATION OF THE NEOLIBERAL RÏGIME v )T ALSO DENOUNCES THE CORRUPTION AND IMPUNITY IN ALL LEVELS OF POWER GIVEN THAT SO MANY EXECUTIONS RELATED TO ORGANIZED CRIME STATING THAT MORE THAN HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED WOULD NOT OCCUR IF THERE WERE NOT A CLOSE LINK BETWEEN ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE GOVERNMENT 4HE 3ECRETARY OF THE )NTERIOR &RANCISCO 2AMÓREZ !CU×A HAS STATED THAT HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND POINTS OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE TWO DISAPPEARED PEOPLE h7E ARE CARRYING OUT THE CORRESPONDING INVESTIGATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WITH ALL ORGANIZATIONS ; = IN ORDER TO DISCOVER THEIR LOCATION 4HIS WAS THE COMMITMENT WE MADE AND WE WANT TO FIND THEM IN WHATEVER CONDITIONS THEY ARE IN 7HAT IS CLEAR IS THAT NEITHER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THE ARMY NOR THE &EDERAL !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE HAS THEM AND THEREFORE WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THEIR WHEREABOUTS v

!MBASSADOR 0ATRICIA %SPINOSA GOES BEFORE THE #OMMISSION ON &OREIGN !FFAIRS OF THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES /CTOBER HTTP WWW SRE GOB MX CSOCIAL CONTENIDO DISC O CT DISC? HTML ,A *ORNADA .OVEMBER ,A *ORNADA /CTOBER ,A *ORNADA /CTOBER %L 5NIVERSAL $ECEMBER )DEM 0RESS 2ELEASE $ECEMBER WWW REDTDT ORG MX )DEM )DEM %L 5NIVERSAL $ECEMBER ,A *ORNADA 3EPTEMBER ,A *ORNADA $ECEMBER


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)NCARCERATION OF SOCIAL LEADERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN 'UERRERO 4HROUGHOUT IN 'UERRERO SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE DENOUNCED A LACK OF DIALOGUE AND ATTENTION TO CONFLICTS AND SOCIAL DEMANDS BY THE GOVERNMENT LED BY :EFERINO 4ORREBLANCA 'ALINDO )N MANY CASES THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN REPRESSION AND INCARCERATION OF SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERS THUS WORSENING THE CONFLICTS AND FAILING TO ATTEND TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEHIND THE DEMANDS /N .OVEMBER *OSÏ -ANUEL /LIVARES (ERNÉNDEZ DIRECTOR OF THE h*OSÏ -ARÓA -ORELOS Y 0AVØNv 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER AND WELL KNOWN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER SEE PREVIOUS 0") -EXICO .EWSLETTER NUMBER 3UMMER WAS DOCUMENTING POLICE ABUSES DURING A PROTEST LEAD BY THE #HILAPA #ITIZENgS #OUNCIL IN WHICH PROTESTERS DEMANDED THAT THE MUNICIPAL PRESIDENT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH PUBLIC WORKS THAT SHE HAD PROMISED IN HER CAMPAIGN 4HE MUNICIPAL ASSISTANT GAVE THE ORDER TO DETAIN /LIVARES hDETAIN THIS JERK THAT IS CAUSING US PROBLEMS v /LIVARES (ERNÉNDEZ ARGUMENTED THAT HE WAS ONLY DOING HIS JOB IN DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND THAT HE WAS NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE BLOCKADE TO WHICH HE GOT THE RESPONSE THAT h) DONgT GIVE A SHIT v 4HE PROTESTERS WERE BEATEN UP AND OF THEM ALONG WITH LEADER 6IRGINIO 6ÉZQUEZ 0ILE×O WERE ARRESTED /N .OVEMBER THEY WERE RELEASED ON BAIL AND ALTHOUGH THEY WERE ALL ACCUSED OF THE SAME CRIMES ATTACKS TO COMMUNICATION NETWORKS CRIMINAL ASSOCIATION AND RIOTING /LIVARES (ERNANDEZgS BAIL WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE OTHER DETAINEES /N !UGUST $AVID 6ALTIERRA !RANGO LEADER OF 2ADIO OMNDAA THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY RADIO STATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 8OCHISTLAHUACA WAS DETAINED AND ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING 4HIS ACCUSATION CAME FROM A DECISION MADE IN A COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY IN

TO DETAIN A FARMER THAT ILLEGALLY TOOK OWNERSHIP OF LAND THAT DID NOT BELONG TO HIM n THERE ARE EIGHT OTHER ARREST WARRANTS OUT FOR THE SAME CRIME /N /CTOBER #IRINO 0LÉCIDO 6ALERIO FOUNDER AND COUNCILMAN OF THE 2EGIONAL #OORDINATION OF #OMMUNITY !UTHORITIES #OMMUNITY 0OLICE WAS DETAINED AND ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING ABUSE OF AUTHORITY AND USURPING FUNCTIONS ALL OF WHICH ALLEGEDLY WERE COMMITTED IN 4HESE INDIGENOUS ORGANIZATIONS ARE BRANDED AS CRIMINALS FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION THROUGH THE USE OF THE RADIO AND FOR APPLYING THEIR OWN SYSTEM OF NORMS TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES /N /CTOBER #ÉNDIDO &ÏLIX 3ANTIAGO WAS ARRESTED AND ACCUSED OF ATTACKING COMMUNICATION NETWORKS 4HIS WAS HIS FOURTH DETENTION THIS YEAR HE HAS ALSO BEEN ACCUSED OF RIOT AND KIDNAPPING &ÏLIX 3ANTIAGO LEADER OF THE 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL FOR THE $EVELOPMENT OF THE -Eg0HAA 0EOPLE WHO SPEAK THE "ATHAA DIALECT HAS LED A SERIES OF PROTESTS SINCE TO DEMAND THE FULFILLMENT OF AGREEMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SIGNED WITH THE 'OVERNMENT AND THE $EPARTMENT OF %DUCATION OF 'UERRERO 3%' WHICH WOULD SEND BILINGUAL TEACHERS TO -Eg0HAA COMMUNITIES THAT SPEAK THE "ATHAA DIALECT IN THE -ONTA×A REGION &INALLY THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN MARKED BY CONFLICT BETWEEN STUDENTS THAT HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE 2URAL 4EACHERS 3CHOOL IN !YOTZINAPA h2AUL )SIDRO "URGOSv WITH THE 3%' AND THE GOVERNOR ! SERIES OF PROTESTS BEGAN IN !UGUST TO DEMAND MORE TEACHING POSITIONS FOR THE GRADUATES AND THAT THE PROGRAM FOR #ERTIFICATION IN 0RIMARY %DUCATION BE CONTINUED &INALLY

STUDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT CAME TO A PARTIAL AGREEMENT ON $ECEMBER THESE MONTHS HAVE BEEN MARKED BY A LACK OF ATTENTION TO THE DEMANDS OF THE STUDENTS AND STRONG POLICE REPRESSION /N .OVEMBER STATE RIOT POLICE EVICTED BEAT AND VIOLENTLY DETAINED PROTESTERS THAT WERE OUTSIDE THE STATE #ONGRESS MORE THAN WERE INJURED /N .OVEMBER WHILE DISTRIBUTING PROPAGANDA ON THE HIGHWAY THAT ENTERS !CAPULCO THE STUDENTS WERE REPRESSED BY THE &EDERAL 0REVENTATIVE 0OLICE STUDENTS WERE DETAINED AND ONE PERSON WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED ,OCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE STATED THAT A LACK OF DIALOGUE HAS CAUSED THE ORGANIZATIONS TO TAKE ACTIONS SUCH AS OCCUPYING PUBLIC SPACES OR BLOCKING HIGHWAYS SO THAT THEIR DEMANDS COULD BE HEARD AND ATTENDED !S A RESULT THE STATE HAS hUSED THIS MOMENT TO PLACE THEM OUTSIDE THE LAW USING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE 3TATE !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE TO NEGATIVELY APPLY THE LAW TO SOCIAL LEADERS FOR POLITICAL MOTIVES v 2EPRESSION AND INCARCERATION AS A MEANS OF ATTENDING TO CONFLICTS 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER #HILAPA #ITIZENS #OUNCIL #OUNCIL OF %JIDOS AND #OMMUNITIES /PPOSED TO THE ,A 0AROTA $AM #%#/0 #OMMUNITY !UTHORITIES OF #ARRIZALILLO 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL FOR THE $EVELOPMENT OF THE -Eg0HAA 0EOPLE *OSÏ -ARÓA -ORELOS Y 0AVØN 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER .OVEMBER 5RGENT !CTION .ATIONAL #IVIL /RGANIZATIONS .ETWORK h4ODOS ,OS $ERECHOS 0ARA 4ODOSv .OVEMBER 0") -EXICO .EWSLETTER NUM 3EPTEMBER 5RGENT !CTION 4LACHINOLLAN !UGUST ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO /CTOBER 0RESS 2ELEASE 4LACHINOLLAN /CTOBER %L 3UR $ECEMBER 5RGENT !CTION 4LACHINOLLAN .OVEMBER 5RGENT !CTION 4LACHINOLLAN .OVEMBER 2EPRESSION OP CIT

.ADIN 2EYES -ALDONADO DAUGHTER OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED PEOPLE FROM /AXACA

TALKS ABOUT HER FATHERgS DISAPPEARANCE %DMUNDO 2EYES !MAYA WAS DISAPPEARED ON -AY TH OF LAST YEAR IN THE CITY OF /AXACA TOGETHER WITH 'ABRIEL !LBERTO #RUZ 3ÉNCHEZ !T THE TIME OF HIS DISAPPEARANCE .ADIN 2EYES -ALDONADO AND HER FAMILY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR FATHERgS ACTIVITIES HOWEVER THAT DID NOT STOP THEM FROM DEMANDING THAT HE BE FOUND ALIVE 4HEY POINT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TO THE /AXACAN GOVERNMENT LED BY 5LISES 2UÓZ AS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DISAPPEARANCE SAYING THAT THE 3TATE HAS NOT DONE ITS JOB IN LOOKING FOR HER FATHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT hTHE 3TATE IS NOT INTERESTED IN RESOLVING THIS CASE BECAUSE THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE DISAPPEARANCE v 4HE -EXICAN ,EAGUE FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS HAS DENOUNCED HARASSMENT TOWARDS THE FAMILIES OF THE TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE DISAPPEARED DUE TO SUPPOSED TIES BETWEEN THEM AND THE 0EOPLEgS 2EVOLUTIONARY !RMY .ADIN STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO HARASSMENT hFROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES ) FEEL HELPLESS AND SAD MAINLY DUE TO THE IMPUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE

"ESIDES SUFFERING FROM THE LOSS OF MY FATHER WE LIVE IN FEAR THAT SOMETHING ELSE COULD HAPPEN TO US FOR BEGINNING TO FIGHT BACK v .ADIN HAS TURNED INTO A HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER SINCE THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HER FATHER 3HE STATES THAT THE WORK THAT BOTH SHE AND HER FAMILY HAVE DONE HAS BEEN TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF HER FATHER AND 'ABRIEL !LBERTO #RUZ 3ÉNCHEZ hAND ALSO THE RIGHTS OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME THING v 3HE EXPLAINS THAT AN AWARENESS OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT IN HER FAMILY AND THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HER FATHER hHAS AFFECTED US DEEPLY AND HAS MADE US EVEN MORE AWARE OF SO MANY OTHER THINGS AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE FIGHTING BACK v

.ADÓN 2EYES WITH 4ITA 2ADILLA FROM !&!$%- ON THE )NTERNATIONAL $AY OF THE $ETAINED AND $ISAPPEARED 0HOTO 0")

)NTERVIEW WITH .ADIN 2EYES AND 0") $ECEMBER 5RGENT !CTION ,IMEDDH 3EPTEMBER


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2ADIO #ALENDA SERVING ITS COMMUNITY AUTHORIZATION "ECAUSE OF THIS IT IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER THAT THE ,AW ;FOR 2ADIO AND 4ELEVISION= INCLUDE ADEQUATE RULES SO THAT INDIGENOUS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES CAN EASILY OBTAIN THE PROPER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION v !CCORDING TO #ARLOS !PARICIO $IRECTOR OF 2ADIOBEMBA hWHEREVER THERE ARE COMMUNITY RADIOS THERE HAS BEEN BETTER SOCIAL ORGANIZATION INCREASED SHARING AND DIALOGUE AMONGST THE LOCAL POPULATION IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY A DEBATE ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY AND DEBATES ABOUT THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE v

-EMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RADIO 2ADIO #ALENDA 0HOTO 0")

!T THE REQUEST OF THE 7ORLD !SSOCIATION OF #OMMUNITY 2ADIOS !-!2# -ÏXICO AND THE -EXICAN #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE AND 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS 0") ACCOMPANIED REPORTERS FROM 2ADIO #ALENDA WHILE THEY WERE REPORTING IN 3AN !NTONINO #ASTILLO 6ELASCO AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS DURING THE ELECTIONS TO 3TATE #ONGRESS IN /AXACA ON !UGUST AND IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ON /CTOBER /N ELECTION DAY THE REPORTERS FOR 2ADIO #ALENDA ENCOURAGED THEIR LISTENERS TO GO OUT AND VOTE 4HEY WERE PROVIDED WITH MEDIA CREDENTIALS WHICH HELPED THEM RECEIVE FURTHER RECOGNITION AMONG LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND POLITICAL PARTIES 0RIOR TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT 0") UNDERTOOK AN INTENSE WORK AGENDA MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES ON ALL LEVELS OF -EXICAN GOVERNMENT !S A RESULT THE ACCOMPANIMENT WAS CARRIED OUT WITHOUT SECURITY INCIDENTS OR THREATS TO ANY OF THE 2ADIO STAFF )T IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT /AXACA HAS A POPULATION OF MILLION PEOPLE AND IS A COMPLEX STATE DUE TO THE FACT THAT OF THE MUNICIPALITIES ELECT AUTHORITIES BY hUSES AND CUSTOMS v )N ADDITION DUE TO SOCIAL AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE STATE AN UNRESOLVED CONFLICT FROM LAST YEAR WITH THE 0OPULAR !SSEMBLY OF THE 0EOPLE OF /AXACA AN INCREASE IN ORGANIZED CRIME AGRARIAN CONFLICTS DISPUTES FOR CONTROL OF SCHOOLS BETWEEN THE TEACHERS OF THE 3ECTION AND AND THE %02gS ACTIONS RELATED TO THEIR DEMAND THAT THEIR TWO MILITANTS BE FOUND CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS AND AUTHORITIES WERE CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTIONS MIGHT NOT GO SMOOTHLY (OWEVER CONTRARY TO WHAT WAS EXPECTED THE ELECTION DAY WAS RELATIVELY CALM AND PEACEFUL %VEN SO LOCAL MEDIA REPORTED DIFFERENT INCIDENTS SUCH AS PERSUADING VOTERS BUYING VOTES WITH MONEY OR WITH FOOD AND SEVERAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE 4HE MOST SERIOUS VIOLENCE INCLUDED CONFRONTATIONS THAT ENDED IN GUNSHOT INJURIES HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS HOSTAGE AND

AGGRESSIONS TOWARDS SYMPATHIZERS OF OPPOSITION PARTY SUPPORTERS 4HERE WERE ALSO MANY ACTS OF BUYING PERSUADING OR CONVINCING VOTES IN SOME COMMUNITIES AND INCIDENTS IN WHICH SOME PEOPLE OR PUBLIC ELECTION OFFICIALS hHELPED PEOPLE CAST VOTES v VIOLATING THEIR RIGHT TO SECRET BALLOT /THER COMPLAINTS INCLUDED THAT BASIC FOOD BASKETS AND MONEY IN CASH UP TO THOUSAND PESOS PER VOTE WERE GIVEN TO VOTERS 4HERE WERE SEVERAL EXPRESSIONS OF INCONFORMITY DISCONTENT AND SOCIAL MOVILIZATION WHEN THE ELECTION RESULTS WERE RELEASED (OWEVER THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS STATED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE ELECTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT IN A hCLIMATE OF TRANQUILITY AND SOCIAL PEACEv WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE PROBLEM AREAS THAT IS MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE CHARACTERIZED BY THEIR HIGH LEVEL OF POLITICAL CONFLICT !MONG THESE MUNICIPALITIES IS 3AN !NTONINO #ASTILLO 6ELASCO 4HE SITUATION OF COMMUNITY RADIOS IN -EXICO 2ADIO #ALENDA IS A COMMUNITY RADIO IN OTHER WORDS A LOCAL NON COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION THAT TRANSMITS INFORMATIVE PROGRAMS OF GENERAL AND CULTURAL INTEREST DIRECTED TOWARD THE LOCAL MUNICIPAL POPULATION )T IS ONE OF THE FEW RADIOS THAT HAS THESE CHARACTERISTICS AND THAT HAS AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSMIT FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF #OMMUNICATIONS AND 4RANSPORTATION SINCE #OMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN ,ATIN !MERICA -EXICO HAS RELATIVELY FEW COMMUNITY RADIOS !LTHOUGH THERE ARE RADIOS IN THE COUNTRY WITH A hFREE ANTENNA THERE ARE ONLY COMMUNITY STATIONS THAT HAVE THE PROPER

!LEIDA #ALLEJA REPRESENTATIVE OF !MARC -ÏXICO STATES THAT COMMUNITY RADIOS HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE IN -EXICO FOR YEARS ALTHOUGH hWITH FEW POSSIBILITIES OF PERMANENCE THERE HAVE BEEN RADIOS USED FOR LITERACY IN RURAL AREAS WHICH ARE KNOWN AS hRADIO SCHOOLSv SUCH AS IN 6ALLE DEL -EZQUITAL (IDALGO AS WELL AS RADIOS THAT TALK ABOUT POLITICAL VIEWS AND DEMOCRACY SUCH AS 2ADIO 0IRATA AND 4ELEVERDAD BOTH OF WHICH WERE SHORT LIVEDv h#OMMUNITY RADIO TRIES TO SHOW THE DIVERSITY AND RICHNESS OF DIFFERENT SECTORS AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS DEFENDING DEMOCRATIC LEGALITY PROVIDING A FOCUS ON SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND ACTING AS AN OPEN TRIBUNAL FOR THE ENTIRE SOCIETY )N SUMMARY RADIOS ARE DIRECTED TOWARD SPECIFIC SECTORS OF THE POPULATION WOMEN CHILDREN FARMERS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ENVIRONMENTALISTS YOUTH AND SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS 4HEIR HALLMARK IS NON PROFIT PUBLIC SERVICE v !CCORDING TO %MILIO 3ANTIAGO $IRECTOR OF 2ADIO #ALENDA NOWADAYS IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO GAIN ACCESS TO RADIO FREQUENCIES AND THE MAIN OBSTACLE TO THIS MEANS OF COMMUNICATION CONTINUES TO BE FUNDING h7E HARDLY RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT WE CAN NOT COMMERCIALIZE OUR AIRTIME AND RUNNING THE RADIO INCURS HIGH COSTS WE HAVE TO BUY AND REPAIR EQUIPMENT PAY THE GOVERNMENT RENT A PLACE TO HOUSE THE RADIO ETC (OWEVER DESPITE THESE DIFFICULTIES ) AM CONVINCED THAT THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIOS IS FUNDAMENTAL )T ACTS AS AN ESCAPE VALVE AND AS A MEANS IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN EXPRESS THEIR INCONFORMITY AND EXPRESS THEIR IDEAS ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS v

%VALUATION OF %LECTION $AY 0OLITICAL 2IGHTS -ONITORING 0ROJECT IN /AXACA #%.#/3 /CTOBER %L 3UR /CTOBER #OMMUNITY 2ADIO STRUGGLES AND REALITIES !LEIDA #ALLEJA HTTP WWW MEXICANADECOMUNICACION COM MX 0") )NTERVIEW WITH %MILIO 3ANTIAGO !UGUST


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-EXICO BEFORE THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS 4HE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS )!#(2 TOGETHER WITH THE )NTER !MERICAN #OURT OF (UMAN 2IGHTS IS ONE OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF !MERICAN 3TATES /%! THAT WORKS FOR THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 4HIS BODY CAME INTO BEING AS A RESULT OF THE !MERICAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ONVENTION -EXICO SIGNED THE CONVENTION IN AND ACCEPTED THE COMPETENCY OF THE #OURT IN !MONG ITS FUNCTIONS THE )!#(2 RECEIVES ANALYZES AND INVESTIGATES INDIVIDUAL PETITIONS THAT ALLEGE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN COUNTRIES THAT BELONG TO THE /%! AND HAS THE CAPACITY TO EMIT RECOMMENDATIONS TO STATES REGARDING SPECIFIC CASES )N ADDITION IT CAN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT STATES TAKE SPECIFIC hPRECAUTIONARY MEASURESv TO AVOID SERIOUS AND IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN URGENT CASES 4URNING TO INTERNATIONAL BODIES IS A RESOURCE THAT IS USED WHEN INTERNAL JUDICIARY PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED WITHIN THE COUNTRY #URRENTLY THERE ARE TWO CASES IN THE )!#(2 FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE STATE OF 'UERRERO 4HE -EXICAN !RMY IS INVOLVED IN BOTH OF THESE CASES AND BOTH ARE RELATED TO THE PREVALENCE OF THE MILITARY JUDICIARY SYSTEM IN -EXICO #ASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY SOLDIERS AGAINST CIVILIANS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY TRIED BY THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM AND NOT BY A CIVILIAN JUSTICE SYSTEM AS IS INDICATED IN RECOMMENDATIONS BY INTERNATIONAL ORGANISMS 4HE FIRST CASE HAS BEEN IN REVIEW BY THE )!#(2 SINCE AND HAS TO DO WITH FORCED DISAPPEARANCES DURING THE SO CALLED h$IRTY 7ARv IN -EXICO IN THE S 4HE CASE INVOLVES THE DISAPPEARANCE OF 2OSENDO 2ADILLA 0ACHECO DETAINED BY THE MILITARY AND DISAPPEARED IN !UGUST IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !TOYAC (IS CASE PASSED FROM THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM IN -EXICO 2OSENDO 2ADILLAgS DAUGHTER 4ITA 2ADILLA -ARTINEZ VICEPRESIDENT OF THE !SSOCIATION OF 2ELATIVES OF THE $ETAINED $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS !BUSES IN -EXICO !&!$%- HAS RECEIVED 0") ACCOMPANIMENT SINCE AND HAS BEEN WORKING TO ATTAIN JUSTICE IN THIS CASE FOR SEVERAL YEARS !&!$%- IS WORKING ON MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED CASES OF FORCED DISAPPEARANCES OF WHICH 2OSENDO 2ADILLAgS IS ONE OF THE BEST DOCUMENTED 7ITH THE CREATION OF THE 3PECIAL 0ROSECUTOR FOR 3OCIAL AND 0OLITICAL -OVEMENTS OF THE 0AST &EMOSPP DURING 6ICENTE &OXgS PRESIDENCY THERE WAS A LOT OF HOPE THAT CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE $IRTY 7AR WOULD BE SOLVED (OWEVER THE &EMOSPP WAS CLOSED IN THE BEGINNING OF AND MANY ORGANIZATIONS AGREED THAT THE RIGHT TO TRUTH AND JUSTICE IS STILL FAR FROM BEING ACHIEVED )N !UGUST THE )!#(2 SENT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT IN WHICH IT FOUND THE GOVERNMENT

A CIVIL JUDGE AND NOT THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM 4HE -EXICAN GOVERNMENTgS RESPONSE WAS THAT hIN #ASTA×OS THE SOLDIERS ACTED OUTSIDE OF SERVICE AND AS A RESULT THEY WERE ALLOWED TO BE JUDGED IN A CIVILIAN COURT )N !YUTLA THEY WERE IN SERVICE WHEN THE EVENTS OCURRED AND AS A RESULT ARE BEING TRIED BY A MILITARY JUDGE v

/BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL )NÏS &ERNANDEZ /RTEGA AND &ORTUNATO 0RISCILIANO 3IERRA WITH A 0") VOLUNTEER 0HOTO 0")

RESPONSIBLE FOR 2ADILLAgS DISAPPEARANCE AND GAVE THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL .OVEMBER TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT INCLUDE AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AND FINDING THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIMES !CCORDING TO -ARIA 3IRVENT LAWYER FROM THE -EXICAN #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE AND 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS WHO HAS WORKED ON THIS CASE hTHE 3PECIAL 0ROSECUTOR RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WAS A SYSTEMATIC AND GENERALIZED PRACTICE IN WHICH 2ADILLA WAS TORTURED HIS LOCATION IS STILL UNKNOWN v 4HE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND CREATE A COMMISSION TO PAY DAMAGES WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THE FAMILY MEMBERS 4HE SECOND CASE BEFORE THE )!#(2 IS THAT OF THE ALLEGED RAPE OF )NÏS &ERNÉNDEZ /RTEGA AND 6ALENTINA 2OSENDO #ANTÞ INDIGENOUS -EgPHAA WOMEN BY -EXICAN SOLDIERS IN 4HESE CASES WERE ALSO PASSED FROM THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM AND UNTIL THIS DAY THE SOLDIERS HAVE STILL NOT BEEN TRIED )N A HEARING ON /CTOBER IN 7ASHINGTON $ # )!#(2 0RESIDENT &LORENTÓN -ELÏNDEZ EXPRESSED STRONG CONCERN ABOUT THESE CASES AND ASKED WHY hTHE MILITARY JURISDICTION ;IS STILL APPLIED= IN CASES IN WHICH SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OCCUR AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM 4HIS IS CONTRARY TO THE -EXICIAN #ONSTITUTION AND JURISPRUDENCE OF THE .ATIONAL 3UPREME #OURT OF *USTICEv !CCORDING TO )NES AND 6ALENTINAgS LAWYER FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER -ARIO 0ATRON 3ANCHEZ THE MILITARYgS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN VERY SLOW AND THEY HAVE DONE VERY LITTLE WORK ON THE CASE $URING THESE FIVE AND A HALF YEARS THEY HAVE LOST EVIDENCE SUCH AS SEMINAL FLUID THAT WAS FOUND IN THE VICTIMS (E COMPARED THE CASE TO THAT OF THE SOLDIERS THAT ENTERED %L 0ÏRSICO A BAR IN #ASTA×OS #OAHUILA IN *ULY AND PROCEEDED TO RAPE SEX WORKERS )N THIS CASE THE SOLDIERS WERE FOUND GUILTY ALTHOUGH NOT ALL WERE GIVEN THE SAME SENTENCE !CCORDING TO -ARIO 0ATRØN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN )NES AND 6ALENTINAgS CASE AND THE CASE IN #OAHUILA IS THAT THE CASE WAS PRESENTED BEFORE

)N THE #ASTA×OS CASE AND IN OTHER MORE RECENT CASES RELATED TO !RMY OPERATIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGTRAFFICKING THE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION #.$( EMITTED SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE $EPARTMENT OF .ATIONAL $EFENSE AND 4HE PRESIDENT OF THE #.$( HAS STATED THAT HE HOPES THAT THE h%XECUTIVE ASSUMES ITS RESPONSIBILITY AND ORDERS THAT THE SOLDIERS BE PUNISHED v 3EVERAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS A CERTAIN INCONSISTENCY IN THE #.$(gS RECOMMENDATIONS IT FAILS TO MAKE STATEMENTS ABOUT CERTAIN CASES AND IN OTHER CASES THE RECOMMENDATIONS DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE NEED FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BY SOLDIERS AGAINST CIVILIANS TO BE JUDGED IN A CIVILIAN COURT )N DEFENDING THESE CASES THE VICTIMS AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HAVE SUFFERED FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF HARASSMENT AND THREATS /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL OF THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -Eg0HAA 0EOPLE RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT IN 7EEKS BEFORE THE HEARING IN /CTOBER IN WHICH )NES AND 6ALENTINA GAVE THEIR TESTIMONY )NESgS HUSBAND &ORTUNATO 0RISCILIANO 3IERRA WAS ASSAULTED AND THREATENED hWHAT YOU ARE DENOUNCING WITH YOUR WIFE )NES AGAINST THE GUACHOS ;MILITARY= IS A LIE AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE PLANNING ON GOING TO THE 5NITED 3TATES v 4HE )!#(2 EMITTED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF &ORTUNATO AND HIS FAMILY ON 3EPTEMBER )N BOTH CASES IF THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE )!#(2gS RECOMMENDATIONS THE CASES COULD BE HEARD BEFORE THE )NTER !MERICAN #OURT A BODY WHOSE JURISDICTION AND POSSIBLE RULING WOULD BE HAVE TO BE RESPECTED )!#(2 WWW CIDH OAS ORG $IAGNOSIS OF THE 3ITUATION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS IN -EXICO (#(2 $ECEMBER 0ROCESO /CTOBER 0") -EXICO .EWSLETTER NUM 7INTER *OINT REPORT !FADEM -EXICAN #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE AND 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS 2ED 4D4 0RODH AND OTHERS #LARIFICATION AND SANCTIONING OF CRIMES OF THE PAST DURING THE PRESIDENCY BROKEN COMMITMENTS AND DELAYED JUSTICE 3EPTEMBER 0ROCESO /CTOBER )BID ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO /CTOBER 0ROCESO /CTOBER ,A *ORNADA /CTOBER )DEM ,A *ORNADA 3EPTEMBER ,A *ORNADA 3EPTEMBER 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER 0RESS 2ELEASE 3EPTEMBER


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0") !##/-0!.)%3 4(% 4,!#()./,,!. (5-!. 2)'(43 #%.4%2 7(),% 7/2+).' /. 4(% ,! 0!2/4! #!3% !T THE REQUEST OF THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER THE 0") -EXICO TEAM IS PROVIDING INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT TO THE 4LACHINOLLAN STAFF WHILE THEY WORK ON THE ,A 0AROTA CASE A PROPOSED HYDROELECTRIC DAM THAT HAS CAUSED ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL CONFLICTS IN 'UERRERO SINCE 4HE ACCOMPANIMENT WAS MOTIVATED BY THE HIGH LEVEL OF CONFLICT SURROUNDING THE CASE AND THE HARASSMENT TO WHICH 4LACHINOLLAN HAS BEEN SUBJECTED 0") HAS ACCOMPANIED 4LACHINOLLAN IN SEVERAL OTHER CASES SINCE $ECEMBER 3INCE .OVEMBER 4LACHINOLLAN S TEAM OF LAWYERS HAS PROVIDED LEGAL ADVICE TO THE #OUNCIL OF %JIDOS AND #OMMUNITIES /PPOSED TO THE ,A 0AROTA $AM #%#/0 4HANKS TO 4LACHINOLLAN THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE DAM HAVE HAD ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN THE !GRARIAN 4RIBUNAL WHICH HAS ALLOWED THEM TO ANNUL COMMUNITY ASSEMBLIES IN WHICH THE LANDOWNERS HAD AGREED TO THE EXPROPRIATION OF THEIR LANDS 4HOSE IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT HAVE MADE NEGATIVE STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS ABOUT 4LACHINOLLAN AS A RESULT OF THEIR WORK RELATING TO THE CASE 0")gS FIRST ACCOMPANIMENT WAS IN THE INFORMATIVE ASSEMBLY ON !UGUST IN !GUA #ALIENTE WHICH FORMS PART OF THE FARMING SETTLEMENT OF #ACAHUATEPEC 4HIS ASSEMBLY WAS REGULATED BY hUSES AND CUSTOMSv AND MORE THAN ATTENDEES UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED THAT THEY WANTED THE PLANS TO BUILD THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM CANCELED EVEN AFTER THE &EDERAL %LECTRICITY #OMMISSION #&% EXPLAINED THE hBENEFITSv THAT THE DAM WOULD BRING &OUR EXPERTS ALSO INFORMED THE FARMERS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THE PROJECT 'OVERNOR OF 'UERRERO :EFERINO 4ORREBLANCA HAS ASKED THE /FFICE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS IN -EXICO TO CARRY OUT A DIRECT CONSULTATION AMONGST THE AFFECTED POPULATION ABOUT ACCEPTING OR REJECTING THE ,A 0AROTA DAM 3ECRETARY OF %NERGY 'EORGINA +ESSEL -ARTÓNEZ HAS STATED THAT &ELIPE #ALDERONgS GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE ,A

)NFORMATIVE !SSEMBLY ABOUT THE ,A 0AROTA 0ROJECT 0HOTO 0") 0AROTA DAM EVEN THOUGH THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DELAYED BY THE ANNULLED ASSEMBLIES IN THE !GRARIAN 4RIBUNAL #&% DIRECTOR %LIAS !YUB HAS STATED THAT THEY WON A COURT TRIAL ALLOWING THEM TO BEGIN WORK ON THE DAM BUT SPECIFIED hWE ARE CONVINCED THAT WE HAVE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDOWNERS INDEPENDENT OF THE ORDER 7E NEED A VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT SO THAT THE CONSTRUCTION CAN BEGIN v 4HE #&% HAS ALREADY BEGUN CONSTRUCTION ON THE 9ESCA DAM IN /AXACA AND THIS MEANS THAT hWE ALREADY HAVE A HYDROELECTRIC DAM IN THE PROCESS OF BEING BUILT WHICH GIVES US TIME TO BEGIN ,A 0AROTA v 4HE SPOKESMEN AND LAWYERS FOR THE #%#/0 HAVE DENIED %LIAS !YUBgS STATEMENTS ABOUT THE DAM GIVEN THAT THE #&% HAS NOT WON ANY OF THE LITIGATION THAT WOULD ALLOW

THEM TO BEGIN WORK ON THE DAM !CCORDING TO 4LACHINOLLAN LAWYER 6IDULFO 2OSALES 3IERRA h%LÓAS !YUB AND 4ORREBLANCO 'ALINDOgS DECLARATIONS REFLECT THE DELIBERATE INTENTION TO REACTIVATE THE CONFLICTv AND hINDICATE THAT THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ARE TRYING TO REPOSITION THEMSELVES IN THE PUBLIC OPINION IN ORDER TO IMPOSE THE DAM v 0LEASE SEE 0") -EXICO .EWSLETTER NUM -ARCH !N hEJIDOv IS A COOPERATIVE FARMING COMMUNITY !GRARIAN 4RIBUNAL INVALIDATES ASSEMBLY IN FAVOR OF ,A 0AROTA #)-!# *UNE WWW CIMACNOTICIAS COM 0RESS 2ELEASE 4LACHINOLLAN h5NANIMOUS REJECTION OF ,A 0AROTA IN THE NUCLEUS OF #ACAHUATEPECv %L 3UR .OVEMBER %L 3UR $ECEMBER %L 5NIVERSAL DE NOVIEMBRE DE %L 3UR .OVEMBER

0")gS SERIOUS CONCERN FOR THE SECURITY OF THE PEOPLE WE ACCOMPANY )N 0") -EXICOgS LAST NEWSLETTER NUM 3UMMER WE PUBLISHED INFORMATION ABOUT A THREAT AND HARASSMENT TOWARDS THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE DURING *UNE 3INCE THEN THE LEVEL OF RISK FOR %MILIANA &RANCISCO AND !LEJANDRO #EREZO #ONTRERAS HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED 0") ACCOMPANIMENT SINCE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED 3INCE *UNE THE #OMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED FOUR E MAIL DEATH THREATS AND HAS REGISTERED SEVERAL SECURITY INCIDENTS AND HARASSMENT ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS SURVEILLANCE ETC )N ADDITION THIS YEAR THIRTY ARTICLES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED THAT MAKE REFERENCE TO A SUPPOSED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE AND ARMED GROUPS 4HE LAST FEW THREATS THAT WERE RECEIVED IN 3EPTEMBER WERE ALSO SENT TO JOURNALISTS WHO PUBLISHED THE THREATS AND MADE REFERENCE TO THESE SUPPOSED LINKS 4HE #EREZO #OMMITTEE CONSIDERS THESE EVENTS TO BE PART OF A SERIOUS DEFAMATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST THEM )N THIS CONTEXT ON $ECEMBER -ELANIE DEL #ARMEN 3ALGADO ,OPEZ MEMBER OF THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE WAS ATTACKED WHILE SHE WAS WALKING TO HER HOUSE !N UNKNOWN SUBJECT PUSHED HER AGAINST A WALL

GRABBED HER HAIR AND SLAMMED HER HEAD AGAINST THE WALL CAUSING A LESION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER FACE !T THE SAME TIME HE TOLD HER hDONgT PLAY THE IDIOT v /N THAT SAME DAY -ELANIE ACCOMPANIED BY &RANCISCO #EREZO HAD GONE TO THE -EXICO #ITY $ISTRICT !TTORNEY 'ENERAL|S /FFICE TO HAND IN HER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DECISION NOT TO hEXERCISE LEGAL ACTIONv REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE DEATH THREATS THAT -ELANIE RECEIVED IN -AY SEE 0") -EXICO .EWSLETTER NUMBER *UNE 0") IS ALSO CONCERNED FOR THE SECURITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLAN /-%30 ACCOMPANIED BY 0") SINCE SEPTEMBER )N THE LAST FEW MONTHS MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SEVERAL ATTACKS ON 3EPTEMBER &ELIPE !RREAGA ADVISOR TO THE /-%30 WAS TRAVELING ON HIS ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE !46 TO 0ETATLAN WHEN HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION IN THE EXHAUST PIPE /N 3EPTEMBER THERE WAS A SECOND EXPLOSION AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS SUGAR IN THE ENGINE /N 3EPTEMBER AT A M TWO UNKNOWN MEN ENTERED

#ELSA 6ALDOVINOS 2IOS /-%30 PRESIDENT AND &ELIPE !RREAGAgS HOUSE AND STOLE THEIR !46 4HE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER CONSIDERS THIS ACT TO BE DEPLORABLE GIVEN THAT TWO YEARS AFTER THE LIBERATION OF &ELIPE !RREAGA 3ÉNCHEZ ATTACKS AND HARRASSMENT AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS CONTINUE )T IS CLEAR THAT hTHEY DO NOT HAVE THE CONDITIONS TO CARRY OUT THEIR WORK WITHOUT RISK TO THEIR LIFE SECURITY AND INTEGRITY v 4HE 'ERMAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #OORDINATION HAS STATED THAT THESE EVENTS HAVE BEEN hATTACKS COMMITTED WITH THE INTENTION OF PUTTING THEIR WORK AND THE MEMBERS OF THE /-%30 AT RISK ;x= 4HE ATTACKS ARE A CONTINUATION OF THE HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION TOWARDS LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS v 4HESE EVENTS WERE DENOUNCED AT THE 0ETATLAN !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE

0REVENTIVE !CTION #EREZO #OMMITTEE /CTOBER 5RGENT !CTION #EREZO #OMMITTEE $ECEMBER 5RGENT !CTION ,IMEDDH -AY 5RGENT !CTION 4LACHINOLLAN 3EPTEMBER 0RESS RELEASE FROM THE 'ERMAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #OORDINATION 3EPTEMBER


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4HE 4EAMgS WORK IN -EXICO !CCOMPANIMENTS s %MILIANA &RANCISCO AND !LEJANDRO #EREZO #ONTRERAS MEMBERS OF THE #EREZO #OMMITTEE THROUGHOUT THE &EDERAL $ISTRICT AND ON THEIR TRIPS TO VISIT THEIR IMPRISONED BROTHERS s /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL !NDREA %UGENIO -ANUEL AND #UAUHTÏMOC 2AMÓREZ 2ODRÓGUEZ LEADERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF THE )NDIGENOUS -Eg0HAA 0EOPLE /0)- IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !YUTLA 'UERRERO AND IN THEIR ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT 'UERRERO s 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER STAFF OF THE !YUTLA /FFICE STAFF OF THE 4LAPA OFFICE IN THEIR WORK ON THE CASES OF 3ØCRATES 4OLENTINO 'ONZÉLEZ 'ENARO AND ,A 0AROTA s 4ITA 2ADILLA -ARTÓNEZ VICE PRESIDENT OF THE !SSOCIATION OF 2ELATIVES OF THE $ETAINED $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS !BUSES IN -EXICO !&!$%- IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !TOYAC 'UERRERO AND IN HER ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT 'UERRERO AND -EXICO #ITY s #ELSA 6ALDOVINOS 2ÓOS AND &ELIPE !RREAGA LEADERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %COLOGISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN /-%30 IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 0ETATLÉN AND IN THEIR ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF 'UERRERO s -EMBERS OF 2ADIO #ALENDA COMMUNITY RADIO FROM 3AN !NTONINO #ASTILLO 6ELASCO /AXACA DURING THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN /CTOBER

0UBLIC 2ELATIONS )NTERVIEWS WITH -EXICAN !UTHORITIES &EDERAL ,EVEL .ATIONAL !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE !BELARDO !NTONIO %STEVA 'ENERAL #OORDINATOR OF )NVESTIGATION 2ICARDO 4REJO 3ERRANO 'ENERAL $IRECTOR OF 0ENAL 0ROCESSES %DGAR 3ALCEDO /RTEGA 'ENERAL $IRECTOR OF !TTENTION TO #ITIZENS AND )NTERINSTITUTIONAL .ETWORKS -ANUEL 3OBERANES $ÓEZ $IRECTOR OF !TTENTION TO #ITIZENS *OSÏ -ARTÓN 'ODOY #ASTRO &EDERAL 2EPRESENTATIVE IN 'UERRERO $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY *OSÏ ,UIS ,AGUNES ,OPÏZ 5NDER 3ECRETARY FOR THE &EDERAL 0ENITENCIARY 3YSTEM %NRIQUE -ONTIEL 6ALENCIA 'ENERAL )NSPECTOR FOR THE TH 2EGION /AXACA FOR THE &EDERAL 0REVENTATIVE 0OLICE 0&0 'ENARO "ARRETO -ARTÓNEZ 2EGIONAL #OMMANDER 'UERRERO FOR THE 0&0 &EDERAL %LECTRICITY #OMMISSION %UGENIO ,ARIS !NALIS $IRECTOR OF )NVESTMENT 0ROJECTS 3ENATE 3ENATOR 3ALOMØN *ARA #RUZ

&EDERAL $ISTRICT (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION FOR THE &EDERAL $ISTRICT -ARCO 6INICIO 'ALLARDO %NRIQUEZ 5NDER 3ECRETARY FOR )NSTITUTIONAL $EVELOPMENT 3TATE OF 'UERRERO $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR .ELSON "ELLO 3OLIS 5NDER 3ECRETARY FOR *UDICIAL !FFAIRS AND (UMAN 2IGHTS *UAN 3AN 2OMÉN /RTIS $IRECTOR 2UBÏN !GUIRRE 0ONCE )NSTITUTIONAL #OORDINADOR WITH 3OCIAL /RGANIZATIONS 6ICTOR (UGO -ÏNDEZ 3ALGADO $IRECTOR OF 4RACKING #ONTROL AND %VALUATION IN (UMAN 2IGHTS -ATTERS $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY AND #IVIL 0ROTECTION 'ENERAL *UAN (ERIBERTO 3ALINAS !LTÏS 3ECRETARY 'REGORIO 6ENTURA (UERTA !DVISOR IN *UDICIAL !FFAIRS AND (UMAN 2IGHTS !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE FOR THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO %DUARDO -URUETA 5RRUTIA !TTORNEY 'ENERAL -ANUEL 3AAVEDRA &LORES 3PECIAL 0ROSECUTOR FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS 3TATE #ONGRESS 2EP !RTURO £LVAREZ !NGLI 0RESIDENT OF THE 3PECIAL #OMMISSION ON ,A 0AROTA 2OSSANA -ORA 0ATI×O 0RESIDENT OF THE #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS

3TATE #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS (IPØLITO ,UGO #ORTÏS 'ENERAL %XAMINER !DELAIDO -EMIJE -ARTÓNEZ %XECUTIVE 3ECRETARY 2EGIONAL 2EPRESENTATIVES FROM THE #OSTA 'RANDE #OSTA #HICA -ONTA×A !CAPULCO 4IERRA #ALIENTE AND .ORTE -UNICIPALITIES 8OCHISTLAHUACA %MILIANO !PØSTOL #RUZ -UNICIPAL /FFICIAL !NISETO #ARVAJAL "ARRAGÉN $IRECTOR OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY !RTEMIO !GUIRRE -ARTÓNEZ 3ECRETARY TO THE -AYOR !CAPULCO ,EONOR )NZUNZA 2AMÓREZ 3ECRETARY TO THE #ITY #OORDINATOR FOR )NTERNAL !FFAIRS *USTICE 0UBLIC 3ECURITY 0OLICE AND 'OVERNMENT 3TATE OF /AXACA 3TATE #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS *AIME -ARIO 0ÏREZ *IMÏNEZ 0RESIDENT 3TATE %LECTORAL )NSTITUTE &ILIBERTO #HÉVEZ $IRECTOR OF 4RAINING 3TATE !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE #OMMANDER $ANIEL #AMARENA &LORES $IRECTOR OF THE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR -ANUEL 'ARCÓA #ORPUS 3ECRETARY 2OSARIO 6ILLALOBOS 2UEDA 5NDER 3ECRETARY FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS 2AMIRO 'UTIÏRREZ AND -ARCOS 2OSALES !SSISTANT 3ECRETARIES TO THE 'OVERNOR #ONGRESS 2EP #ARLOS !LBERTO -ORENOS !LCÉNTARA 0RESIDENT OF THE 0ERMANENT #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS (ÏCTOR 3ÉNCHEZ ,ØPEZ 4ECHNICAL 3ECRETARY OF THE 3PECIAL #OMMISSION ON 3TATE 2EFORMS -UNICIPALITIES 3AN !NTONINO #ASTILLO 6ELASCO -EINARDO *OEL ,ØPEZ 3ÉNCHEZ -UNICIPAL 0RESIDENT /COTLÉN DE -ORELOS !NDRÏS 3ERGIO -ARISCAL !GUILAR -UNICIPAL 0RESIDENT -ARCO !NTONIO 6ELASCO -UNICIPAL 3ECRETARY 0RUDENCIO #ABRERA 2OMÉN #OMMANDER OF THE -UNICIPAL 0OLICE

2EPRESENTATIVE OF THE /FFICE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS IN -EXICO #ELIA !GULIAR 5NITED .ATIONS $EVELOPMENT &UND FOR 7OMEN 5.)&%- $ELEGATION OF 'ERMAN -EMBERS OF 0ARLIAMENT IN A VISIT TO -EXICO

)NTERVIEWS WITH NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ACADEMICS AND THE CHURCH &EDERAL $ISTRICT -EXICAN #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE AND 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS 3ERAPAZ -EXICAN ,EAGUE FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS ,IMEDDH 7ORLD !SSOCIATION OF #OMMUNITY 2ADIOS !-!2# -ÏXICO h-IGUEL !GUSTÓN 0RO *UÉREZv (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER .ATIONAL !SSOCIATION OF #OMPANIES THAT #OMMERCIALIZATION 2URAL 0RODUCTS !.%# &5.$!2 #ENTER FOR !NALYSIS AND )NVESTIGATION )NSTITUTE FOR 3ECURITY AND $EMOCRACY ).39$% .ATIONAL #IVIL /RGANIZATIONS .ETWORK h4ODOS ,OS $ERECHOS 0ARA 4ODOSv 'ENERAL *OSÏ &RANCISCO 'ALLARDO 2ODRÓGUEZ *UAN !NTONIO 6EGA 'UERRERO .ETWORK OF %NVIRONMENTAL /RGANIZATIONS OF :IHUATANEJO 2/'!: 3/3 "AHÓA #OLLECTIVE AGAINST 4ORTURE AND )MPUNITY ##4) 'UERRERO (UMAN 2IGHTS .ETWORK 2EGIONAL #OORDINATION OF #OMMUNITY !UTHORITIES !SSEMBLY OF ,ANDOWNERS OF #ARRIZALILLO -ONSE×OR !LEJO :AVALA "ISHOP FOR #HILPANCINGO AND #HILAPA /AXACA 3ERVICES FOR AN !LTERNATIVE %DUCATION %$5#! #ENTER FOR )NDIGENOUS 2IGHTS h&LOR Y #ANTOv #ASA #HAPULÓN #OLLECTIVE 2ADIO #ALENDA )NTERNATIONAL &UND FOR 'LOBAL (UMAN 2IGHTS 3)0!: 7ITNESS FOR 0EACE 0EACE 7ATCH #AREA

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