Chiapas: Presentation of the Special Report: “Torture, mechanism of terror”

Press Conference, June 25, 2014 @ SIPAZ

On June 26, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was commemorated. In this context, the Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Human Rights Centre (CDHFBC) presented the Special Report on Torture in Chiapas: Torture, mechanism of Terror.

Relatives of victims, psychologists, and specialised experts in the investigation of torture took part in the presentation, along with members of CDHFBC. Gabriel García Salyano noted that torture is a systematic and systemic event, since it has been naturalized in everyday life. He said that he sought a testimony from someone; he asked whether they had been tortured and they replied, “no, they just beat me a little,” making reference to the normalisation of violence.

Jorge Hernández, member of CDHFBC, said that “there is no justification for the practice of torture.” And he added that “torture occurs frequently in Mexico; it is a method of police investigation, of control, of terror: a product of the violence engendered by the political system, exerted by those from the government who represent power.”

The Special Report has recorded 17 events where at least one act of torture was performed. The towns where these acts were recorded are: Tuxtla Gutiérrez (6), Tapachula (2), Chenalhó (2) and one case each in Simojovel, Maravilla Tenejapa, Arriaga, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Palenque, Sabanilla, and Acala.

For more information (In Spanish):

Report: La tortura, mecanismo de terror Informe Especial sobre Tortura en Chiapas (CDHFBC, 25 de junio de 2014)

Presentación Informe Especial La tortura, mecanismo de terror (CDHFBC, 25 de junio de 2014)

Frayba: Presentación de Informe Especial sobre la Tortura en Chiapas (Radio Zapatista, 25 de junio de 2014)

Presentación Informe Especial La tortura, mecanismo de terror (Colectivo Pozol, 26 de junio de 2014)

For more information from SIPAZ (In English):

National: UN Special Rapporteur on torture ends official visit to Mexico (May 16, 2014)

Chiapas: release of indigenous prisoners and denunciation of torture in the state (April 29, 2014)

Chiapas: Torture and killing of youth the responsibility of municipal police from Acala, CDHFBC denounces (March 18, 2014)

Chiapas: Torture and kidnapping of youth Hiber Audentino García Villafuerte (January 1, 2014)