On Nov. 23, José Manuel Chema Hernández Martínez, José Manuel de la Torre and Roselio de la Cruz González, leaders of the Emiliano Zapata Campesino Organization-Carranza Region (OCEZ-RC), were released on bail after being accused of criminal association and causing damages.
After their detention, members of the OCEZ-RC held a sit-in at the San Cristóbal cathedral and on Oct. 30 they occupied the UN offices located in the same city. After the release of their leaders, the OCEZ-RC informed that they had accepted the proposal presented by Governor Juan Sabines Guerrero through Diego Cadenas, director of the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Center, to open mediation
In the early hours of Nov. 27, the State Government and the OCEZ-RC signed an agreement that will bring attention to the demands of the OCEZ-RC insisting that the government cancel the 11 arrest warrants out against the organization’s leaders and members in addition to the militarization of Venustiano Carranza.
Governor Juan Sabines Guerrero, who was present for a portion of the meeting, assured that in Chiapas “there is rule of law, but this does not mean that the State is an oppressor, on the contrary, this government is eager to defuse the situation. I do not hold political prisoners, currently no one can call themselves a political prisoner in Chiapas; we want to be sure that no-one is being persecuted that there is the social responsibility necessary to build a climate of lasting social peace. We want to make sure there is no inconformity, no fear and that the campesinos dedicate themselves to agricultural production.
For More Information (in Spanish):
Liberan bajo fianza a dirigente de la OCEZ (La Jornada, 24/11/09)
Dirigente de la OCEZ condena represión (La Jornada, 25/11/09)
OCEZ demanda cancelar aprehensiones (El Universal, 26/11/09)
OCEZ y Estado firman minutas (Cuarto Poder, 28/11/09)
More information from SIPAZ:
Chiapas: The OCEZ-RC sit-in, twelve days later (6/11/09)
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