Chiapas: Prisoners fasting and on hunger strike

Photo @ Zapateando

On 29 September, 7 prisoners being held in prison no. 5 of San Cristóbal de Las Casas began a total and indefinite hunger stirke, while 4 others initiated a daily fast to last 12 hours. Both initiatives have been taken to protest the diseases these prisoners suffer. Adherents to the Other Campaign, they pertain to the Political Prisoners of the Voz del Amate, those in solidarity with la Voz del Amate, and prisoners who are adherents to the Mitzitón Other Campaign as well one other prisoner from Voces Inocentes.

In a public communiqué they expressed that “after having been subjected to the injutsices that have caused our families and us great pain, given these unjust incarcerations and the fabrication of crimes that take from us our liberty just because we have defending rights in some cases or in others due to illiteracy or poverty. In this way they have violated our rights, as they continue to do on many occasions, in light of the many occasions on which we have been ignored for demanding justice on the part of the corresponding institutions.”

In their demands, they direct themselves to the governor of the state with these words: “We demand that Juan Sabines Guerrero, governor of the state, intervene immediately to effect the unconditional liberty that is owed to us.”

They invite civil society to continue with its struggle: “Finally we invite our comrades and independent national and international organizations as well as NGO human-rights centers to keep watch over our cause to demand justice and liberty for all political prisoners in the country.”

For more information (in Spanish):

Los presos políticos del CERSS Nº 5 Chiapas se declaran en huelga de hambre. La RvsR Chiapas llama a solidarizarse, Enlace Zapatista, 29 September2011

Campaña por la libertad del compañero Alberto Patishtan (Enlace Zapatista)

En huelga de hambre adherentes de la Otra Campaña en el CERSS no. 5, Chiapas Denuncia Pública, 29 September 2011

Con ayuno exigen su liberación indígenas presos en Chiapas, Proceso, 29 September 2011

For more information from SIPAZ (in English):

Chiapas: Public day for Fasting and Prayer for Peace in the San Cristóbal prison (26 September 2011)

Chiapas: Rosario Diaz, imprisoned for six years, and denunciation by Voz del Amate (8 September 2011)

Chiapas: Fifth anniversary of the “Voz de Amate” (8 January 2011)

– Chiapas: the case of Alberto Patishtán Gómez presented before the IACHR, and denunciation by la Voz de Amate (10 August 2010)

– Chiapas: visit to observe 2011 call for “jTatic Samuel jCanan Lum” Honor denied (30 July 2010)

Chiapas: prisoner Alberto Patishtán Gómez’s latest communiqué and its coverage by La Jornada (19 July 2010)