0EACE "RIGADES )NTERNATIONAL
IN -EXICO
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
.OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUACION
,EGAL #ASE AGAINST THE /RGANIZACION OF )NDIGENOUS -E PHAA 0EOPLE
#ONCERN FOR ,EGAL #ASES AGAINST (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS
"ORDERTOWN n .EW 4HREATS TO h.UESTRAS (IJAS DE 2EGRESO A #ASAv
!UGUST
)NTERVIEW WITH #ÉNDIDO &ÏLIX 3ANTIAGO
)NTERVIEW WITH *OSÏ -ANUEL /LIVARES
4HE 4EAM S 7ORK IN -EXICO )NTERVIEW WITH !LEJANDRA 'ONZÉLEZ -ARÓN
0") -EXICO 0RESENTS ITS 2EPORT (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO
M AKING SPACE FOR PEACE
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
.OTES ON THE #URRENT 3ITUATION 4HE 5 3 #ONGRESS !PPROVES THE -ERIDA )NITIATIVE /N /CTOBER 0RESIDENT "USH PRESENTED THE -ERIDA )NITIATIVE TO THE 5 3 #ONGRESS 4HIS INITIATIVE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE 3ECURITY AND 0ROSPERITY 0ARTNERSHIP OF .ORTH !MERICA WILL PROVIDE BILLION DOLLARS TO -EXICO AND #ENTRAL !MERICA DURING A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS IN ORDER TO COMBAT DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ORGANIZED CRIME &OR -EXICO WAS ALLOCATED MILLION DOLLARS TO INVEST IN THE ARMED FORCES AND PUBLIC SECURITY AND THE REMAINING MILLION DOLLARS WERE DESIGNATED TO #ENTRAL !MERICA 3ECRETARY OF THE )NTERIOR *UAN #AMILO -OURI×O TOGETHER WITH 0RESIDENT &ELIPE #ALDERØN SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO ALLOW -EXICO AND THE 5NITED 3TATES TO SHARE TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT AND DETECT TERRORIST THREATS AND THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY 4HE 5 3 #ONGRESS STIPULATED THAT FUNDING DEPENDS ON THE INITIATION OF LEGAL AND PENAL REFORMS ENSURING THAT FUNDED POLICE AND MILITARY UNITS DO NOT COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND THAT THESE UNITS ARE FREE OF CORRUPTION 3ECRETARY OF THE )NTERIOR *UAN #AMILO -OURI×O HAS STATED THAT -EXICO WILL NOT ACCEPT CONDITIONS ON THE -ERIDA )NITIATIVE SINCE DRUG TRAFFICKING IS NOT A UNILATERAL PROBLEM (E SAID THAT THE )NITIATIVE SHOULD GUARANTEE -EXICOgS SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPECT BOTH -EXICO AND THE 5 3 gS INTERNAL LEGISLATION !CCORDING TO -OURI×O INCORPORATING MEASURES OR UNILATERAL CONDITIONS ON THE )NITIATIVE WOULD BE CONTRADICTORY AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND THEREFORE UNACCEPTABLE 4HE 5NITED 3TATES 3ENATE APPROVED THE )NITIATIVE ON *UNE ALLOCATING MILLION OF THE MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE "USH ADMINISTRATION HAD ORIGINALLY REQUESTED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 4HE VERSION APPROVED BY THE 3ENATE HAS ELIMINATED THE MOST INTRUSIVE CHAPTERS THAT CONDITIONED THE FUNDS ON SPECIFIC CHANGES TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM 4HE NEW VERSION PUTS CONDITIONS ON OF THE BUDGET AND OBLIGATES THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT TO REPORT ON PUBLIC SECURITY ACTIVITIES TO THE 3TATE $EPARTMENT 4HE BILL STATES THAT THE 3TATE $EPARTMENT SHOULD WORK WITH THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT THE 5NITED .ATIONS /FFICE OF THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS AND NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE A RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES )T ALSO STATES THAT CORRUPTION AND IMPUNITY WITHIN THE MILITARY AND PUBLIC SECURITY FORCES ARE CONCERNING AND IT POINTS
OUT THAT RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION HAVE BEEN LARGELY IGNORED AND RARELY RESULT IN PUNISHMENT (OWEVER LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNMENTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE INSISTED ON THE URGENCY OF PASSING THE BILL DUE TO INCREASING VIOLENCE LINKED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING IN -EXICO ESPECIALLY NEAR THE SHARED BORDER
-EDIATION #OMMISSION BETWEEN THE 'OVERNMENT AND THE 0OPULAR 2EVOLUTIONARY !RMY %02 )N PREVIOUS MONTHS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO INITIATE DIALOG WITH COMMANDERS OF THE %02 /N !PRIL THE ARMED GROUP INDICATED THAT THEY WERE PREPARED TO TALK WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE MEDIATION PROCESS INVESTIGATE THE WHEREABOUTS OF %02 MEMBERS %DMUNDO 2EYES !MAYA AND 'ABRIEL !LBERTO #RUZ 3ÉNCHEZ DISAPPEARED ON -AY IN /AXACA #ITY 4HE %02 REQUESTED THAT THE DIALOG BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH A -EDIATION #OMMISSION COMPOSED OF "ISHOP 3AMUEL 2UIZ WRITER #ARLOS -ONTEMAYOR JOURNALIST AND LAWYER -IGUEL £NGEL 'RANADOS #HAPA ANTHROPOLOGIST 'ILBERTO ,ØPEZ Y 2IVAS AND THREE MEMBERS OF THE .ATIONAL &RONT AGAINST 2EPRESSION INCLUDING 3ENATOR 2OSARIO )BARRA %NRIQUE 'ONZÉLEZ 2UIZ AND *UAN DE $IOS (ERNÉNDEZ -ONGE WHO WERE INSTRUCTED BY THE %02 TO DISCUSS THE CASE OF THE TWO DISAPPEARED PEOPLE 7HILE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THAT THE %02 HAS SHOWN AN INTEREST IN DIALOG THE %02 HAS WARNED THAT WHILE THEY ARE INTERESTED IN NEGOTIATING THEY WILL NOT PUT DOWN THEIR ARMS AND WILL NOT SURRENDER 4HEY DID HOWEVER AGREE TO SUSPEND ALL MILITARY ACTIONS AS LONG AS THE MEDIATION CONTINUES /N -AY THE $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR AND THE -EDIATION #OMMISSION MET FOR THE FIRST TIME TO ESTABLISH THE CONDITIONS AND A PROCESS THAT WOULD LEAD TO A SOLUTION 4HE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE #OMMISSION POINTED OUT THAT FROM A CIVIL SOCIETY PERSPECTIVE MEDIATION IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN ORDER TO ATTAIN JUSTICE AND TO PUT AN END TO FORCED DISAPPEARANCES AND CRIMES OF HUMANITY )N THE SECOND MEETING ON -AY THE #OMMISSION AND THE $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR TALKED ABOUT THE TWO DISAPPEARED PEOPLE AND BEGAN TO EVALUATE PERSONAL TESTIMONIES DOCUMENTS AND POLITICAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS GIVEN TO THEM BY SECTORS OF CIVIL SOCIETY )N THEIR THIRD MEETING ON *UNE THE -EDIATION #OMMISSION GAVE THE WORKING GROUP FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF THE
)NTERIOR DOCUMENTS THAT DETAIL REPORTS FROM THE FAMILIES OF THE DISAPPEARED AND EXAMINE THE SPECIFICS OF THE CRIME OF FORCED DISAPPEARANCE 4HE SPOKESMAN FOR THE #OMMISSION #ARLOS -ONTEMAYOR STATED THAT THEY HOPE FOR A COMPLETE ANSWER REGARDING THESE DOCUMENTS AND INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS INTERESTED IN LISTENING REFLECTING AND DIALOGING n WHICH IS ULTIMATELY A POSITIVE SIGN
%NERGY 2EFORM AND THE 0RIVATIZATION OF 0EMEX 4HE PRIVATIZATION OF 0EMEX IS A NEOLIBERAL ECONOMIC PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE 0RESIDENT &ELIPE #ALDERØN WAS IN THE $EPARTMENT OF %NERGY DURING 6ICENTE &OXgS ADMINISTRATION 4HIS IS AN ENERGY REFORM THAT ALLOWS FOR NEW POSSIBILITIES IN HIRING CONTRACTORS ALLOWING FOREIGN COMPANIES TO INVEST IN 0%-%8 AND PERMITS A COMBINED EFFORT TO EXPLOIT AREAS IN THE 'ULF OF -EXICO -ANY SECTORS OF SOCIETY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST THE ENERGY INITIATIVE INCLUDING CIVIL PEACEFUL RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS IN ALL STATES THROUGHOUT -EXICO SOME CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THE 0ERMANENT &ORUM OF ,EGISLATORS WHO ARE OPPOSED TO PRIVATIZING 0EMEX 4HE INITIATIVE TO REFORM THE OIL INDUSTRY HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN FORUMS ORGANIZED BY THE 3ENATE 4HESE REFORMS ALLOW ALL POLITICAL PARTIES ACADEMICS AND EXPERTS TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND TO ANALYZE THE PROBLEMS IN 0EMEX AND PROPOSE SOLUTIONS &INALLY A POPULAR CONSULTATION WAS CARRIED OUT ON *ULY IN WHICH MORE THAN OF THE PARTICIPANTS STATED THAT THEY WERE AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTgS INITIATIVE TO PRIVATIZE THIS INDUSTRY
,A *ORNADA !PRIL #..EXPANSIØN -AY %XCELSIOR *UNE %L 5NIVERSAL *UNE ,A *ORNADA *UNE 0ROCESO -AY ,A *ORNADA -AY ,A *ORNADA -AY %L 0ERIØDICO DE -ÏXICO *UNE 0ROCESO *UNE ,A *ORNADA *UNE ,A *ORNADA !PRIL 0ROCESO -AY %L 5NIVERSAL *UNE ,A *ORNADA !UGUST
7IVES OF THE FIVE /0)- DETAINEES SPEAK AT THE EVENT h'UERRERO A PLACE WHERE POVERTY IS PUNISHED AND PROTEST IS AGAINST THE LAWv
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
,EGAL #ASE AGAINST THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -EgPHAA 0EOPLE IN !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES /N -ARCH FOUR POLICE OFFICERS AND A WORKER FOR /PPORTUNITIES WERE ASSASSINATED IN AN ATTACK IN %L 3ALTO A COMMUNITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF !YUTLA 3TAFF OF THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER REPORTED THAT AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO ASSOCIATE THE /0)- WITH THIS CRIMINAL ACT AND A FEW DAYS LATER THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN POLICE AND MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE AREA 4HE 3TATE #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS IN 'UERRERO #ODDEHUM STATED THAT THE MILITARY CHECKPOINTS ON THE ROADS LEADING TO THE COMMUNITIES WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE MILITARY "OTH POLITICIANS AND CIVIL SOCIETY EXPRESSED DOUBTS AND CRITICISM ABOUT THE INCREASED MILITARY PRESENCE WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ARMYgS BEHAVIOR TOWARD THE CIVIL INDIGENOUS POPULATION IN THE REGION AS HOSTILE !RMANDO #HAVARRÓA "ARRERA 3ECRETARY OF THE )NTERIOR AT THE TIME STATED THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO MILITARIZE THE AREA BECAUSE IT ONLY CREATES hANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY v /N 4HURSDAY !PRIL FIVE MEMBERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -E|PHAA 0EOPLE WERE ARRESTED AT A CHECKPOINT MANNED BY BOTH ARMY SOLDIERS AND BY POLICE FORCES FROM THE &EDERAL !GENCY OF )NVESTIGATION !&) THE $EPARTMENT FOR 0UBLIC 3ECURITY AND THE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE 4HE FIVE PEOPLE WERE DETAINED WHILE TRAVELING FROM !YUTLA TO THEIR COMMUNITY %L #AMALOTE ON AN ARREST WARRANT ISSUED ON !PRIL FOR THE PREMEDITATED HOMICIDE OF !LEJANDRO &ELICIANO 'ARCÓA ASSASSINATED ON $ECEMBER 4HE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS DEATH WAS STALLED UNTIL HIS BODY WAS EXHUMED ON !PRIL TH n SEVERAL HOURS LATER THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION WAS INDICTED AND ARREST WARRANTS WERE FILED AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE /0)- ,AWYER FOR THE DETAINEES 6IDULFO 2OSALES 3IERRA FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER POINTED OUT SEVERAL IRREGULARITIES IN THE INVESTIGATION AND STATED THAT THE EVIDENCE IS hBASED ON SUSPICION AND HEARSAY v 4HE CASE FILE POINTS TO TWO PEOPLE AS THE MURDERERS OF &ELICIANO 'ARCÓA AND ALLEGES THAT THE REST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE /0)- WERE INVOLVED IN PLANNING THE HOMICIDE 4HE DETAINEES REPORT BEING THREATENED BY STATE AND FEDERAL POLICE FORCES WHO TRIED TO OBLIGE THEM TO PLEAD GUILTY )N ADDITION THE JUDGE TRIED TO FORCE THEM TO PROVIDE THEIR TESTIMONIES WITHOUT A TRANSLATOR AND WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THEIR LAWYER 4HE FIFTEEN PEOPLE WITH ARREST WARRANTS WERE VERY ACTIVE IN THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDING /0)- 0RESIDENT #UAUTHÏMOC 2AMÓREZ 2ODRÓGUEZ WHO RECEIVES 0") ACCOMPANIMENT 4HE DETAINEES ALSO INCLUDE /RLANDO -ANZANARES ,ORENZO WHO LED THE
7IVES OF THE FIVE /0)- DETAINEES RECEIVE AN AWARD DURING 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER|S 8)6 ANNIVERARY
MOVEMENT TO DEFEND VICTIMS OF FORCED STERILIZATIONS ALONG WITH TWO NEPHEWS OF )NÏS &ERNÉNDEZ /RTEGA WHO HAS REPORTED BEING RAPED IN BY MEMBERS OF THE -EXICAN !RMY 3EVERAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL &RONTLINE THE 'ERMAN #OORDINATION THE 7ASHINGTON /FFICE ON ,ATIN !MERICA 7/,! AND THE ,ATIN !MERICAN 7ORKING 'ROUP ,!7' EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THIS CASE TO THE -EXICAN GOVERNMENT AND SENT URGENT ACTIONS AND LETTERS DIRECTED TO BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS REQUESTING THAT THE /0)-gS RIGHTS SAFETY AND PHYSICAL INTEGRITY BE PROTECTED 4HEY ALSO REQUESTED THAT hAN INDEPENDENT IMPARTIAL AND LAWFULv DECISION BE MADE IN THE CASE OF THE FIVE DETAINEES AND THE OTHER TEN MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION WITH ARREST WARRANTS v /N *ULY LAWYERS FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER PRESENTED A FEDERAL APPEAL TO ,IVIA ,IZBETH ,ARUMBE 2ADILLA %IGHTH *UDGE OF THE !CAPULCO $ISTRICT APPEALING THE RULING BY THE LOCAL JUDGE IN !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES )N THIS APPEAL THE 4LACHINOLLAN STAFF WERE ABLE TO SHOW THAT THE JUDGE|S RULING IS hILLEGALv DUE TO A LACK OF EVIDENCE AGAINST THE PRISONERS 7/,! AND ,!7' HAVE ONCE AGAIN MADE A STATEMENT TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT ASKING THAT hAUTHORITIES ACT WITH IMPARTIALITY AND AUTONOMYv DURING THIS APPEAL PROCESS !LSO ON *ULY THE #ENTER FOR *USTICE AND )NTERNATIONAL ,AW #%*), ANNOUNCED THAT THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS
)!#(2 EXTENDED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -E|PHAA 4LAPANECO 0EOPLE /0)- /0)4 IN ORDER TO FURTHER PROTECT THEIR LIVES AND PHYSICAL INTEGRITY 4HIS IS THE SECOND EXTENSION OF THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY GRANTED IN *ANUARY FOLLOWING THREATS SUFFERED BY /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL WHO RECEIVES 0") ACCOMPANIMENT AND WHICH WERE EXTENDED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 3EPTEMBER 4HE )!#(2 HAS ASKED -EXICO TO SUBMIT A REPORT ABOUT THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES GRANTED TO THE /0)- IN 4LACHINOLLAN REPORTS THAT THE )!#(2 RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS A hPERSECUTION AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION AND THAT THERE IS IMMINENT RISK TO THE SECURITY AND PHYSICAL INTEGRITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION v %L 3UR AND ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO !PRIL AND !LL 2IGHTS FOR !LL .ATIONAL .ETWORK OF #IVIL (UMAN 2IGHTS /RGANIZATIONS 5RGENT !CTION !PRIL %L 3UR !PRIL %L 3UR !PRIL #ASE &ILE .UMBER n !LL 2IGHTS FOR !LL .ATIONAL .ETWORK OF #IVIL (UMAN 2IGHTS /RGANIZATIONS 5RGENT !CTION !RREST WARRANTS AGAINST LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -E|PHAA n ARRESTED !PRIL %L 3UR !PRIL ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO *ULY ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO *ULY 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER "ULLETIN *ULY %L 3UR !PRIL AND %L 3UR !PRIL ,A *ORNADA 'UERRERO *UNE 7ASHINGTON /FFICE ON ,ATIN !MERICA AND ,ATIN !MERICAN 7ORKING 'ROUP 0UBLIC ,ETTER *UNE )DEM !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL 5RGENT !CTIONS 5RGENT !CTION !-2 &EBRUARY !-2 !PRIL 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER *ULY 7ASHINGTON /FFICE ON ,ATIN !MERICA AND ,ATIN !MERICAN 7ORKING 'ROUP 0RESS RELEASE *UNE #ENTER FOR *USTICE AND )NTERNATIONAL ,AW *ULY 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER *ULY
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
)NTERVIEW WITH !LEJANDRA 'ONZALEZ -ARIN PSYCHOLOGIST FOR THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER !LEJANDRA 'ONZÉLEZ -ARIN IS A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO HAS WORKED FOR THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER FOR FOUR YEARS 3HE WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTENTION TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS OF SOCIO POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND PROVIDES COUNSELING TO ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE /-%30 AND THE /0)- WHO FACE LEGAL PERSECUTION -UCH OF THE POPULATION THAT SHE WORKS WITH ARE INDIGENOUS AND HAVE LITTLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES /N *ULY TWO 0") VOLUNTEERS MET WITH !LEJANDRA AND TALKED TO HER ABOUT HER WORK WITH 4LACHINOLLAN #AN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK h) COORDINATE A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTENTION TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS OF SOCIO POLITICAL VIOLENCE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS )N THE PAST ) WORKED WITH ENVIRONMENTALIST &ELIPE !RREGA WHO WAS IMPRISONED FOR A FABRICATED CRIME AND ) AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE /0)- WHO ARE ALSO IMPRISONED FOR A CRIME THEY DID NOT COMMIT ) ALSO WORK WITH /0)- 3ECRETARY /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL WHO FACES CONSTANT THREATS AND HARASSMENT 4HE PSYCHOSOCIAL WORK THAT ) CARRY OUT IS VERY COMPLICATED SINCE TALKING ABOUT JUSTICE IN 'UERRERO IS RELATIVE THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OFTEN DO NOT ATTAIN JUSTICE FOR THESE CRIMES AND ) HAVE TO COUNSEL VICTIMS WITH THIS IN MIND v 7HAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LEGAL PERSECUTIONS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS h4HERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT EFFECTS SOME OF WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FOR THE PRISONERS THAN FOR THE REST OF THE ORGANIZATION 4HE FIVE PRISONERS CONTINUALLY ASK THEMSELVES 7HY 7HY ME 7HY NOW /NE PART OF THE WORK IS HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WERE IMPRISONED BECAUSE THEY FOUGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS )T IS AN UNFAIR SITUATION FOR THEM BUT ONCE THEY UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE IMPRISONED THEY WILL HAVE MORE STRENGTH TO FACE THEIR IMPRISONMENT 4HE UNDERLYING GOAL BEHIND LEGAL PERSECUTIONS IS TO DEBILITATE THE ORGANIZATION %VEN THOUGH THE ORGANIZATION FEELS STRONG ORGANIZED AND WITH REAL CAPACITIES THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT STRONG AND THAT THE 3TATE HAS A LOT MORE POWER !S SOON AS THE ORGANIZATION STOPS DOING THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS WORK THE 3TATE HAS ACHIEVED ITS GOAL !N ORGANIZATION FACED WITH THIS SITUATION OFTEN HAS TO COMPLETELY STOP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND FOCUS ON FREEING THEIR PRISONERS "OTH THE EDUCATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS IN 4LACHINOLLAN WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS SO THAT THEY CAN FIND WAYS TO CONTINUE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS WORK AND NOT FOCUS ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS ON JUST THE DETAINEES v h.OT ONLY ARE THE PRISONERS AFFECTED BY THEIR INCARCERATION BUT THE PRISONER S FAMILY IS ALSO
)NTERVIEW WITH !LEJANDRA 'ONZÉLEZ -ARÓN FROM THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER DESTROYED (AVING A FATHER OR A HUSBAND IN PRISON MEANS THAT THE PERSON WHO PROVIDED THE MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE FAMILY 7OMEN MUST BECOME MORE ACTIVE IN THE ORGANIZATION EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY NOT HAVE PARTICIPATED BEFORE !T THE SAME TIME RUMORS ARE SPREAD AMONGST THE COMMUNITIES WHICH MAKE PEOPLE SCARED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ORGANIZATION 4HESE RUMORS SPREAD A NEGATIVE IMAGE OF THE /0)- PROPAGATE THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE ORGANIZATION ARE DELINQUENTS AND THAT FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS MEANS YOU WILL GO TO JAIL 4HESE RUMORS CAN SUCCESSFULLY DESTROY THE ORGANIZATION|S ABILITY TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR WORK v h,EGAL PERSECUTIONS ALSO AFFECT THE LEADERS OF THE ORGANIZATION SUCH AS /BTILIA %UGENIO /0)- 3ECRETARY WHO HAS BEEN HARASSED THREATENED AND CONSTANTLY WATCHED ) THINK THAT /BTILIAgS SITUATION IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN /BTILIA IS A WOMAN AN ACTIVIST AND A HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER 4HE STATE FOCUSES ON HER BECAUSE OF HER FIVE CONDITIONS SHE IS A WOMAN A MOTHER INDIGENOUS POOR AND AN ACTIVIST 4HOSE THAT HARASS HER THINK THAT /BTILIA COULD STOP HER WORK AT ANY TIME BECAUSE SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT HER CHILDREN HER FAMILY OR HER HUSBAND (OWEVER
THEY ARE WRONG BECAUSE THE CONVICTIONS OF A WOMAN LIKE /BTILIA ARE STRONGER THAN HER EXHAUSTION 7ITHOUT A DOUBT THE CONSTANT HARASSMENT HAS AFFECTED HER AND THIS IS WHY ) WORK WITH HER v !ND WHAT ARE THE LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS h4HE LONG TERM GOAL OF LEGAL PERSECUTIONS IS TO DESTROY THE ORGANIZATION 4HE PRISONERS WILL SPEND MONTHS IN PRISON AND WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED THEY WILL FIND THAT MANY THINGS HAVE CHANGED 4HEY MIGHT FIND THAT THEIR WIVES HAVE BEEN EMPOWERED THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS STRONGER OR THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS WEAKER OR MANY OTHER THINGS 4HEY MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW TO READJUST WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THE ORGANIZATION AND THEY RUN THE RISK OF REMAINING VICTIMIZED INSTEAD OF RISING UP TO BE THE LEADERS THAT THEY ARE v !ND DO YOU SEE EFFECTS IN SOCIETY h9ES OF COURSE 0") AND 4LACHINOLLAN ARE ALSO WORKING IN !YUTLA 4HE GOVERNMENT MUST USE THE MEDIA TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTIONS 4HEY MUST INFLUENCE THE OPINION OF THE POPULATION AND THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS IN THE REGION 4HE PEOPLE OFTEN SAY 4HESE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES BEHIND THE DELINQUENTS FROM THE /0)- v
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
)NTERVIEW WITH #ÉNDIDO &ÏLIX 3ANTIAGO INDIGENOUS LEADER OF THE @ 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL FOR THE $EVELOPMENT OF THE -EgPHAA 0EOPLE 7HO 3PEAK THE "ATHAA $IALECT 4HE 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL FOR THE $EVELOPMENT OF THE -EgPHAA 0EOPLE 7HO 3PEAK THE "ATHAA $IALECT IS MADE UP OF COMMUNITIES AND MORE THAN INHABITANTS FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES OF -ETLATØNOC !LTAMAJALCINGO DEL -ONTE AND 4LAPA IN THE -ONTA×A REGION IN 'UERRERO )N .OVEMBER THEY BEGAN TO PROTEST CONSTANT DISCRIMINATION BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND DEMAND THAT THE 'UERRERO $EPARTMENT OF %DUCATION RECOGNIZE THEIR DIALECT IN THE OFFICIAL PLANS OF STUDY 4HEY ALSO WANT THE STATE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEIR COMMITMENT TO SEND TEACHERS THAT SPEAK THE "ATHAA DIALECT TO SCHOOLS IN THE REGION AND CARRY OUT PUBLIC WORKS DESIGNATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY #ÉNDIDO &ÏLIX LEADER OF THE #OUNCIL AND NATIVE TO *UANACATLÉN -ETLATØNOC ONE OF THE POOREST MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTRY TELLS US THE REASONS FOR THIS STRUGGLE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES 4ELL US ABOUT THE STRUGGLE THAT YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR "ASICALLY MY STRUGGLE THE STRUGGLE OF THE PEOPLE IS ABOUT FACING OUR NEEDS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TEACHERS WE DO NOT HAVE PUBLIC WORKS WE DO NOT HAVE DOCTORS AND WE LACK THE MOST BASIC NEED FOR US EDUCATION ! COMMUNITY WITHOUT EDUCATION IS A COMMUNITY THAT LIVES IN DARKNESS AND CAN NOT BE DEVELOPED 3O FOR ME TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND ACCEPT OUR YOUTH ACCEPT OUR MOTHER TONGUE -EgPHAA "ATHAA 7HAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN FROM THE AUTHORITIES &IRST OFF THEY HAVE NOT SOLVED OUR PROBLEMS )NSTEAD WE HAVE RECEIVED ARREST WARRANTS /N THE FIRST OCCASION THEY PUT ME IN JAIL ON &EBRUARY THE SECOND TIME WAS *UNE OF THE SAME YEAR 4HE THIRD TIME WAS 3EPTEMBER THE FOURTH WAS /CTOBER -Y PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HARASSED 4HE MILITARY COMES AT NIGHT TO CHECK OUR HOMES THEY WANT TO RAID OUR HOMES z(OW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOUR LIFE YOUR WORK YOUR PEOPLE 1UITE A BIT )N THE FIRST PLACE ) DO NOT HAVE AN INCOME ) AM A FARMER AND IF ) DO NOT WORK ) DO NOT EAT -Y
FAMILY WILL BE LEFT WITHOUT FOOD MY CHILDREN WITHOUT CLOTHES 4HIS HAS AFFECTED ME A LOT BECAUSE BESIDES BEING THROWN IN JAIL NOW THEY ARE INVESTIGATING ME AND ) HAVE TO SIGN IN EVERY DAYS IN 4LAPA IN 4IXTLA IN #HILPANCINGO -Y TIME IS TAKEN UP BY SIGNING IN AND ) ONLY HAVE TWO OR THREE DAYS LEFT FOR MY WORK OR MY PERSONAL MATTERS %VERY TIME THAT PEOPLE GO TO 4LAPA THEY ARE QUESTIONED THEY TRY TO GET INFORMATION OUT OF THEM THEY CANNOT JUST BE LEFT ALONE AND MANY OF THEM DO NOT WANT TO GO TO THE CITY BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLE FACT THAT hWHY SHOULD ) GO THE POLICE ARE THERE THE CHECKPOINTS ARE THERE THEY ASK ME QUESTIONS THEY LOOK FOR ME ON THEIR LISTS TO SEE IF ) AM A DELINQUENT v 0EOPLE ARE AFRAID BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS FABRICATING CRIMES 4HEY ARE AFRAID 4HEY PRODUCE FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY 4HEY DO NOT ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO TALK THEY DO NOT LET THE COMMUNITY TURN IN THEIR PETITIONS AND REQUESTS TO THE GOVERNMENT 7HAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN NOW $O YOU THINK THAT THE SITUATION WILL REMAIN THE SAME 7ITH THE WAY THIS GOVERNMENT LOOKS WITH &ELIPE #ALDERØN AND :EFERINO 4ORREBLANCA THERE IS NOT MUCH HOPE THAT THE SITUATION WILL GET BETTER
0RESENTATION BY #ÉNDIDO &ÏLIX DURING 4LACHINOLLAN|S 8)6 ANNIVERSARY
4HERE IS NO HOPE THAT IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS THIS MAN WILL CHANGE BECAUSE HE ALREADY SHOWED US THE WAY HE WILL ACT (E SHOWED HIMSELF TO BE A REPRESSIVE GOVERNOR A GOVERNOR THAT MAY BE WORSE THAN WHAT HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS DECADES )T COULD GET WORSE AND THERE IS LITTLE HOPE
)NTERVIEW WITH *OSÏ -ANUEL /LIVARES $IRECTOR OF THE *OSÏ -ARÓA -ORELOS Y 0AVØN 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER IN #HILAPA DE £LVAREZ )N THE -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN .UMBER WE REPORTED ON THE DETENTION OF *OSÏ -ANUEL /LIVARES IN .OVEMBER WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DOCUMENTING POLICE ABUSES DURING A PROTEST )N ADDITION FIFTEEN MEMBERS OF THE #HILAPA #ITIZENS #OUNCIL WERE ALSO DETAINED /N *ULY TH WE INTERVIEWED *OSÏ -ANUEL ABOUT HIS CURRENT SITUATION AND THE PROBLEMS FACED BY HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHO HAVE LEGAL CASES AGAINST THEM *OSÏ -ANUEL REPORTS THAT SINCE .OVEMBER SEVERAL LEGAL INVESTIGATIONS HAVE BEEN INITIATED AGAINST hPEOPLE WHO IN SOME WAY FIGHT SO THAT HUMAN RIGHTS CAN BECOME A REALITY 4HE LEGAL CASE SURROUNDING MY DETENTION IN .OVEMBER IS FULL OF IRREGULARITIES ON BEHALF OF THE PROSECUTION .OT ONLY THAT BUT THE POLICE THE PROSECUTIONgS WITNESSES AND THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS HAVE FAILED TO APPEAR AT THE PROCEEDINGS v 4HE SECOND LEGAL CASE THAT *OSÏ -ANUEL FACES BEGAN IN !PRIL
WHEN INDIGENOUS FARMERS FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES BEGAN TO PROTEST HIGH FERTILIZER PRICES h)T WAS ABOUT TWO THIRTY WHEN THEY CALLED TO TELL US THAT THERE WAS A PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE TOWN HALL ) WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THIS MEANT THAT JUST FOR BEING THERE THEY ACCUSED ME OF LEADING THE PROTESTS ;4HIS ACCUSATION= LED TO ANOTHER INVESTIGATION AGAINST ME AND COULD LEAD TO AN ADDITIONAL PUNISHMENT FOR A CRIME THAT ) DID NOT COMMIT v #URRENTLY THESE TWO CASES ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION IN THE LOCAL $ISTRICT !TTORNEY 'ENERAL S /FFICE n THIS IN EFFECT HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON *OSÏ -ANUELgS WORK h4HEY HAVE ALWAYS KEPT US WONDERING WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THIS INVESTIGATION 4HE CRIMINALIZATION OF SOCIAL PROTEST FOLLOWS THE NEW REFORMS AND THE NEW GOVERNMENTgS INTERESTS AND THE INTERESTS OF THE GOVERNING CLASS WHO HOLDS THE ECONOMIC POWER 4HE CRIMINALIZATION OF SOCIAL PROTEST SUSTAINED THROUGH CRIMINAL REFORMS ON A FEDERAL LEVEL AND
THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS MAKES IT EASIER TO TURN OVER NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE NATIONgS SOVEREIGNTY TO FOREIGN INTERESTS 4HESE REFORMS AND LAWS WERE CREATED IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE AND TO DIFFUSE SOCIAL PROTEST v *OSÏ -ANUEL ENDS BY AFFIRMING THAT hIN ALL OF -EXICO AND IN PARTICULAR IN 'UERRERO THE SITUATION THE SAFETY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS IS MORE VULNERABLE BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL CONFLICTS SOMETIMES AS SPOKESPEOPLE SOMETIMES AS HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND SOMETIMES AS WITNESSES OF WHAT HAPPENS !S THE MOBILIZATIONS OF THE INDIGENOUS AND NON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CONTINUE SO CONTINUES THE CRIMINALIZATION OF SOCIAL PROTEST SO CONTINUES THE MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITIES USING THE WAR AGAINST DRUGS AND THE TRAFFICKING OF ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES TO JUSTIFY THAT PRESENCE v
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
#ONCERN FOR ,EGAL #ASES AGAINST (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS h(UMAN RIGHTS SENSITIVE INTERPRETATIONS AND APPLICATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES AND THE LAW BY THE JUDICIARY CAN BE A DECISIVE FACTOR IN SECURING ;HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS = PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT BY THE USE AND ABUSE OF JUDICIAL PROCEDURES v
4HE THREE 0") PROJECTS IN ,ATIN !MERICA HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REITERATED THEIR CONCERNS REGARDING THE INCREASING NUMBER OF LEGAL PERSECUTIONS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS 4HESE CASES OF LEGAL PERSECUTIONS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON IN ,ATIN !MERICA AND NOT JUST IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE 0") WORKS )N THEIR 2EPORT ON THE 3ITUATION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN THE !MERICAS THE )NTER !MERICAN #OMMISSION ON (UMAN RIGHTS RECOGNIZES THAT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ARE IN MANY CASES SUBJECT TO hCRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ;THAT= ARE INSTITUTED WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF HARASSING THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WHO MUST ASSUME THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC BURDEN OF FACING A CRIMINAL INDICTMENT v 4HESE PROCEDURES WHILE WITHIN THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OFTEN END UP RESTRICTING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEFENDERS WHO CAN NO LONGER WORK TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS BUT MUST INSTEAD FOCUS ON THEIR OWN DEFENSE )N ADDITION THESE LEGAL PROCEDURES OFTEN RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF THE DEFENDERgS LEGAL HUMAN RIGHTS WORK )N 'UERRERO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HAVE FACED LEGAL CRIMINAL CASES FOR MANY YEARS ONE OF THE
(INA *ILANI 3PECIAL 2EPRESENTATIVE OF THE 5. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS MOST EMBLEMATIC CASES WAS THAT OF &ELIPE !RREAGA ADVISOR TO THE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %NVIRONMENTALISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN WHO WAS DECLARED PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE BY !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL IN &ELIPE WAS ARRESTED ACCUSED OF HOMICIDE AND FOLLOWING MONTHS IN PRISON WAS FREED AND DECLARED INNOCENT 7HILE IN &ELIPEgS CASE AND IN MANY OTHER CASES THE FINAL RULING ABSOLVES THE PERSON OF THE CRIME A DEFENDER WHO SPENDS MONTHS OR MORE IN JAIL ENDURES A GRUELING PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS CANNOT CONTINUE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS WORK AND WHEN FREED MUST READJUST BACK INTO THEIR WORK
3ANTIAGO LEADER OF THE 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL FOR THE $EVELOPMENT OF THE -E|PHAA 0EOPLE WHO 3PEAK THE "ATHAA $IALECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOUR TIMES AND THERE ARE AN ADDITIONAL ELEVEN ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SAME ORGANIZATION /THER SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS ALSO FACE ARREST WARRANTS THE 2EGIONAL #OORDINATION OF #OMMUNITY !UTHORITIES #OMMUNITY 0OLICE IN 3AN ,UÓS !CATLÉN HAVE AND 2ADIO OMNDAA HAVE 4HE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER HAS RECENTLY DOCUMENTED CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE
-ORE RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LEGAL CASES AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN 'UERRERO 7HILE THE CASE OF THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -EgPHAA 0EOPLE IS ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN CURRENT CASES SEE PAGE SEVERAL SOCIAL LEADERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HAVE FACED LEGAL CASES AGAINST THEM DURING THE LAST YEAR )N THIS BULLETIN WE ALSO PORTRAYED OTHER CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHO FACE CRIMINAL CASES *OSÏ -ANUEL /LIVARES FROM THE *OSÏ -ARÓA -ORELOS Y 0AVØN 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER HAS TWO CASES AGAINST HIM #ÉNDIDO &ÏLIX
0") -EXICO IS INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT HARASSMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS BY MEANS OF LEGAL CASES AGAINST THEM ACTIONS THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECT BOTH THEIR SAFETY AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND HINDER THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS WORK
%L 3UR *UNE
"ORDERTOWN n .EW 4HREATS TO @ .UESTRAS (IJAS DE 2EGRSO A #ASA "ORDERTOWN A MOVIE INSPIRED BY THE MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN ASSASSINATED IN #IUDAD *UÉREZ AND IN #HIHUAHUA PROVOKED A NEW WAVE OF THREATS DIRECTED TOWARD THE LEADERS OF .UESTRAS (IJAS DE 2EGRESO A #ASA 3INCE THIS ORGANIZATION /UR $AUGHTERS #OMING (OME IN %NGLISH HAS FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE IN THE CASES OF HUNDREDS OF MURDERS AND KIDNAPPINGS OF WOMEN IN THESE TOWNS IN A CONTEXT OF ELEVATED VIOLENCE AND IMPUNITY )N ORDER TO GAIN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND INCREASE VISIBILITY WITHIN -EXICO THE ORGANIZATION HAS SUPPORTED THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE "ORDERTOWN
E MAIL STATING THAT THE ACTIVISTS SHOULD LEAVE THE CITY AND WARNED THEM THAT THEY WOULD BE SEXUALLY ATTACKED ASSASSINATED AND THAT THEIR DAUGHTERS WOULD BE RETURNED TO THEM IN PIECES IF THEY CONTINUE WITH THEIR WORK &OLLOWING THESE THREATS !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL RELEASED AN 5RGENT !CTION IN WHICH THEY DEMANDED THAT AUTHORITIES TAKE ADEQUATE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE THREATS AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS INCLUDING THE 5. $ECLARATION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS
&OLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE FILM IN -EXICO ON -AY MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDING ITS LEADER -ARISELA /RTIZ 2IVERA RECEIVED THREATS ON THEIR CELLULAR PHONES 4HESE THREATS STATED THAT THE WOMEN ARE IN DANGER OF BEING FOLLOWED AND INCARCERATED /N -AY THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED ANOTHER THREAT THIS TIME BY
)N ADDITION ,OTHAR -ARK MEMBER OF THE 'ERMAN 0ARLIAMENT AND 0RESIDENT OF THE -EXICAN 'ERMAN &RIENDSHIP 'ROUP EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR THE ORGANIZATIONgS SECURITY AND SENT A LETTER TO -ARISELA /RTIZ 2IVIERA STATING THAT HE IS DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE MEMBERS OF .UESTRAS (IJAS DE 2EGRESO A #ASA HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO DEFAMATION
AND THREATS THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO hDEBILITATE THEIR IMPORTANT WORK THROUGH INTIMIDATION BLOCKING THEIR EFFORTS TO OBTAIN JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS v -ARK EXPRESSED HIS SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT TO -ARISELA /RTIZ AND ASKED THAT SHE hKEEP ;ME= INFORMED ABOUT ;HER= WORK AND SAFETY SO THAT ) CAN BE USEFUL IN WHATEVER WAY POSSIBLE v (E ALSO TOLD THE ACTIVISTS TO MAINTAIN THE hBRAVERY AND STRENGTH NECESSARY TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK v
WWW MUJERESDEJUAREZ ORG !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL 5RGENT !CTION !5 -AY ,A *ORNADA *UNE !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL 5RGENT !CTION !5 -AY WWW LOTHAR MARK DE ,A *ORNADA *UNE )DEM
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
4HE 4EAM|S 7ORK 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 DE LOS ,IBRES 'UERRERO AND IN THEIR ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT 'UERRERO s 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER !YUTLA OFFICE STAFF 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 DE £LVAREZ 'UERRERO AND IN HER ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT 'UERRERO s #ELSA 6ALDOVINOS 2ÓOS AND &ELIPE !RREAGA LEADERS OF THE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %NVIRONMENTALISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN /-%30 IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 0ETATLÉN AND IN THEIR ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF 'UERRERO
0UBLIC 2ELATIONS -EETINGS WITH -EXICAN !UTHORITIES &EDERAL ,EVEL .ATIONAL !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE 0'2 *UAN DE $IOS #ASTRO $EPUTY !TTORNEY 'ENERAL FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS 0ASCUAL -ORENO -ÏNDEZ 'ENERAL $IRECTOR FOR 2ECOMMENDATIONS AND &RIENDLY 3ETTLEMENTS IN (UMAN 2IGHTS *ORGE !LFREDO 2AMÓREZ 4ALAMANTES 'ENERAL $IRECTOR FOR THE 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS AND !TTENTION TO #OMPLAINTS 'USTAVO /RTEGA 6ÉZQUEZ 'ENERAL $IRECTOR FOR !TTENDING TO 6ICTIMS ,UIS 'ABRIEL 6ÉZQUEZ !SSISTANT $IRECTOR .OÏ 2AMÓREZ -ANDUJANO $EPUTY !TTORNEY 'ENERAL FOR /RGANIZED #RIME *ORGE !LBERTO !LVAREZ -ENDOZA $IRECTOR OF THE 3TATE $ELEGATION OF THE 0'2 IN 'UERRERO $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY 6ÓCTOR (UGO 0ÏREZ (ERNÉNDEZ 'ENERAL $IRECTOR FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS *OSÏ 'UILLERMO 0ETRICIOLI !SSISTANT $IRECTOR FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS -ARÓA %LENA 4OLENTO 9A×EZ $IRECTOR OF (UMAN 2IGHTS 0ROTECTION -ARÓA 'RANADOS 4RESPALACIOS -ULTILATERAL !FFAIRS )NSTITUTE OF )MMIGRATION )SRAEL %STRADA !SSISTANT $IRECTOR #ONGRESS /DILØN 2OMERO 'UITIÏRREZ &EDERAL 2EPRESENTATIVE FOR 'UERRERO .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION %NRIQUE 0IMENTEL 'ONZÉLEZ 0ACHECO $IRECTOR OF #ONTACT WITH .'/S 4ECHNICAL 3ECRETARY OF THE #ONSULTING #OUNCIL 3TATE OF 'UERRERO 3TATE !TTORNEY 'ENERALgS /FFICE %DUARDO -URUETA 5RRUTIA 3TATE !TTORNEY 'ENERAL $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR .ELSON "ELLO 3OLÓS 5NDER 3ECRETARY FOR ,EGAL !FFAIRS AND (UMAN 2IGHTS 6ICTOR (UGO -ÏNDEZ 3ALGADO $IRECTOR FOR #ONTROL AND %VALUATION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS *ESUS 3ALES -ORENO 'ENERAL $IRECTOR OF $EFENSE 3ERVICES 3TATE #ONGRESS 2OSSANA
-ORA 0ATI×O 0RESIDENT OF THE #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS )GNACIO ,UNA 'ERØNIMO 2EPRESENTATIVE FOR $ISTRICT 8)6 !YUTLA 3TATE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE %RIT -ONTÞFAR -ÏNDEZ 'ENERAL $IRECTOR OF THE 3TATE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE -UNICIPALITIES !YUTLA DE LOS ,IBRES #RISTØBAL -IRANDA 'ARCÓA #OMMANDER OF THE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE !TOYAC DE £LVAREZ 'USTAVO #ARRILLO -UNICIPAL 0RESIDENT /LEGARIO 0ELÉEZ 6ALDÏS #OMMANDER OF THE -INISTERIAL 0OLICE /METEPEC %DUARDO -ONTA×O 3ALINAS -UNICIPAL 0RESIDENT %FRÏN 3UASTEGUI -AYO $IRECTOR OF THE 0UBLIC -INISTRY "IBIANO #ORONADO -UNICIPAL /FFICIAL
-EETINGS WITH EMBASSIES AND INTERNATIONAL ENTITIES -EETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOLLOWING EMBASSIES !USTRALIA #ANADA &INLAND 'ERMANY )TALY .ETHERLANDS 3PAIN 3WITZERLAND 5NITED +INGDOM 5NITED 3TATES )NTERNATIONAL $ELEGATIONS %UROPEAN #OMMISSION $ELEGATION !MERIGO )NCLATERRA %X 2EPRESENTATIVE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS /FFICE OF THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS ,ILIANA 6ALI×A 2EPRESENTATIVE A I /F THE 5NITED .ATIONS /FFICE OF THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS
-EETINGS WITH NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ACADEMICS AND THE CHURCH
-EXICO #ITY -EXICAN #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE AND 0ROMOTION OF (UMAN 2IGHTS -IGUEL !GUSTÓN 0RO *UAREZ (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER !SSEMBLY OF )NDIGENOUS -IGRANTS !-) &RAY &RANCISCO DE 6ITORIA (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER 3ERVICE AND !SSESSMENT FOR 0EACE 3%2!0!: h!LL 2IGHTS FOR !LLv .ATIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS .ETWORK %CONOMIC 3OCIAL AND #ULTURAL 2IGHTS 0ROJECT 02/$%3# #EREZO #OMMITTEE 'UERRERO 2ADIO OMNDAA 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL FOR THE $EVELOPMENT OF THE -E PHAA 0EOPLE WHO SPEAK THE "ÉTHÉÉ $IALECT 'UERRERO .ETWORK OF #IVIL (UMAN 2IGHTS /RGANIZATIONS *OSÏ -ARÓA -ORELOS Y 0AVØN 2EGIONAL (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER #HILAPA #ITIZENS #OUNCIL -ONSE×OR !LEJO :AVALA "ISHOP FOR #HILPANCINGO AND #HILAPA 6ÓCTOR -ANUEL !GUILAR 'ENERAL 6ICAR FOR THE 0ARISH %DUARDO .AVAS -U×OZ #OORDINATOR FOR THE 0ASTORAL 0ENITENCIARIA 2IGHT TO +NOW #AMPAIGN 5NIVERSITY OF #ALIFORNIA 3ANTA #RUZ
&ORUMS 'UERRERO h'UERRERO A PLACE WHERE POVERTY IS PUNISHED AND PROTEST IS AGAINST THE LAWv ORGANIZED BY THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER
)NTERNATIONAL 2OSA ,UXEMBURG &OUNDATION )NTERNATIONAL #OMMITTEE OF THE 2ED #ROSS )NTERNATIONAL 3ERVICE FOR 0EACE 7ORLD /RGANIZATION !GAINST 4ORTURE #ENTER FOR )NTERNATIONAL 0OLICY !MERICAS 0ROGRAM
0") -EXICO 0ROJECT "ULLETIN
0") -EXICO 0RESENTS ITS 2EPORT (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO /N -AY THE 0EACE "RIGADES )NTERNATIONAL -EXICO 0ROJECT PRESENTED (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO #ASES OF RESISTENCE AND INITIATIVES FROM -EXICAN CIVIL SOCIETY REGARDING THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN -EXICO 4HE EVENT TOOK PLACE IN THE #LUB DE 0ERIODISTAS IN -EXICO #ITY &OLLOWING A WELCOME BY 0") -EXICO #OORDINATOR 3ERGI "ACH THE FIRST PART OF THE EVENT BEGAN WITH A SPEECH BY -S ,ILIANA 6ALI×A AD INTERIM REPRESENTATIVE IN -EXICO OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS -INISTER !LEJANDRO .EGRÓN $IRECTOR OF (UMAN 2IGHTS FOR THE $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS *UAN !LARCØN (ERNÉNDEZ 0RESIDENT OF THE 3TATE #OMMISSION FOR THE $EFENSE OF (UMAN 2IGHTS IN 'UERRERO AND *ULY 'ARCÓA 3ILVERIO REPRESENTING THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 3ECURITY IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO ALSO SPOKE DURING THE EVENT 4HE SECOND PART OF THE EVENT BEGAN WITH A PRESENTATION ABOUT 0")|S WORK IN -EXICO SINCE THE MIDDLE OF THE |S INCLUDING A SPOTLIGHT ON THE PROBLEMS THAT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CURRENTLY FACE IN 'UERRERO !FTERWARDS ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECEIVE 0") ACCOMPANIMENT SPOKE INCLUDING !BEL "ARRERA (ERNÉNDEZ $IRECTOR OF THE 4LACHINOLLAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #ENTER 4ITA 2ADILLA -ARTÓNEZ 6ICE PRESIDENT OF THE !SSOCIATION OF 2ELATIVES OF THE $ETAINED $ISAPPEARED AND 6ICTIMS OF (UMAN 2IGHTS 6IOLATIONS IN -EXICO !&!$%- #ELSA 6ALDOVINOS 2ÓOS 0RESIDENT OF THE /RGANIZATION OF 7OMEN %NVIRONMENTALISTS OF THE 3IERRA DE 0ETATLÉN AND /BTILIA %UGENIO -ANUEL 3ECRETARY OF THE /RGANIZATION OF )NDIGENOUS -E|PHAA 0EOPLE 4HE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS FROM 'UERRERO AND FROM -EXICO #ITY AS WELL AS BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM EMBASSIES INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS AND -EXICAN AUTHORITIES 4HIS PUBLICATION IS BASED ON 0") -EXICOgS EIGHT YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN 'UERRERO
0") PRESENTS ITS REPORT (UMAN 2IGHTS $EFENDERS IN THE 3TATE OF 'UERRERO -EXICO #ITY -AY
0EACE "RIGADES )NTERNATIONAL 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 DIALOGUE WITH CIVIL AND MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS
0") -EXICO )NTERNATIONAL /FFICE 0 / "OX 3AN &RANCISCO #! 53! 4EL &AX PBIMEXICO PBI MEXICO ORG WWW PBI MEXICO ORG
4HE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT )NFORMATION "ULLETIN 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 NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED BOTH WITHIN -EXICO AND INTERNATIONALLY )F YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE 0") -EXICO 0ROJECT S )NFORMATION "ULLETIN PLEASE CONTACT THE 0ROJECT /FFICE IN 3AN &RANCISCO OR THE 0") 4EAM IN -EXICO
0") -EXICO 4EAM IN *ULY AND !UGUST &RAN¥OISE 'REVE 'ERMANY (EIKE "ÚTTCHER 'ERMANY #ARLA #AVARRETTA )TALY -AIK -àLLER 'ERMANY 3ANDRA #ALUORI 3WITZERLAND !NTONELLA 0ES )TALY Y 3ANDRA #AMACHO 3PAIN
-EXICO #ITY /FFICE
0") 4EAM IN 'UERRERO
-EDELLÓN #OLONIA 2OMA -ÏXICO $ & 4EL &AX PBIDF PBI MEXICO ORG
-ARGARITO $AMIAN 6ARGAS "ARRIO DE 3AN !NTONIO #HILPANCINGO 'UERRERO 4EL &AX PBIGRO PBI MEXICO ORG