May 22nd, 2009
On May 18th, almost 200 participants joined together for an open forum for reflection and analysis of “threats against the land, indigenous territories, and indigenous peoples in the south south-east of Mexico” at CIDECI—University of the Land in San Cristobal de Las Casas. During this meeting various groups presented their experiences of organizing to defend land and territory in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and in Guatemala. Sharing these experiences exposed a problem shared by the rural population—especially indigenous peoples—in southern Mexico and their neighbors to the south: the re-vindication of their right to land and territory in the face of government and corporate projects that exploit the area’s natural resources.
Luis Abarca from the Movement of Popular Resistance of the Southeast (MRPS) opened the talks with this organization’s fight to defend land and territory through civil resistance against high electricity prices and privatization programs like PROCEDE, among others. Mercedes Oliveira from the Center for Women’s Rights of Chiapas focused her presentation on the plight of indigenous women in Chiapas, emphasizing that though the fight continues, there are still very few women landowners and that indigenous women in general continue to suffer exclusion and discrimination at the hands of men.
Ana María García of the Service for an Alternative Education (EDUCA) spoke of the problems faced by indigenous communities in Oaxaca. Similar to those in Chiapas, these communities are met with high electricity bills, and are confronted with hydroelectric projects like “Paso de la Reina” and mining industries. These projects are taking over indigenous territories and have sparked organization within indigenous communities to combat further projects of this kind.
Broadening the perspective of the forum, the participants from Atch Mol spoke of the situation caused by the Montana mining company in the state of San Marcos, Guatemala. This mining enterprise covers over 20 km squared and has, among other things, contaminated the local water supply. Atch Mol has implemented consciousness raising programs in affected communities and has also conducted interviews in the area which confirm a total rejection of the mining project. In the neighboring country, construction of hydroelectric plants and planting of African Palms for fuel purposes proffer other problems that this country shares with southern Mexico.
During this meeting, various representatives from communities in Chiapas also spoke up to denounce the problems that were at the heart of this meeting. A representative of the Adherents of the Other Campaign from the San Sebastián Bachajón ejido denounced plans to construct a highway from San Cristóbal to Palenque which would affect the ejido. Because they have organized to defend their territory, the Adherents have as of late experienced strong repression with seven members being imprisoned. Representatives from the region of Motozintla denounced the exploitation of land by the Chicomuselo mine which has affected communities adjacent to this operation. The participation of the above mentioned as well as that of other communities enriched this meeting and complemented the analysis given by the scheduled speakers by adding the knowledge of local actors and their take on concrete problems.
This Open Forum was convened by Service and Consultants for Peace (Serapaz), Commission for the Support of Community Unity and Reconciliation (CORECO), Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Center, and International Service for Peace (SIPAZ).
For more information, please visit:
sipazen.wordpress.com 