Photo @SIPAZ
On 21 June, at the Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Center for Human Rights, there was held a press-conference regarding the conclusions of a Civil Mission of Observation and Solidarity organized by the Rural Association of Collective Interest-Union of Independent and Democratic Unions (ARIC UU ID), which visited the communities of Salvador Allende, Ranchería Corozal, and San Gregorio in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, in May. In solidarity with the communities threatened with possible displacement on the part of the Mexican State using the argument that they are degrading the environment, the Mission documented the commitment of local residents to care for the land and the environment, in addition to numerous human-rights violations. The member-organizations of the Mission, among others, included the Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Center for Human Rights, Services and Assessments for Peace (SERAPAZ), Economic and Social Development for Indigenous Mexicans (DESMI), the International Service for Peace, and Maderasdel Pueblo del Sureste, which all demand that the three settlements which have existed for more than 30 years be afforded regular status.
For more information (in Spanish):
Informe Misión de Observación Montes Azules
Realizan una misión civil de observación (Cuarto Poder, 22 de junio)
For more information from SIPAZ (in Spanish):
Chiapas: Pronunciation by the Observation Mission to communities threatened with displacement form the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (11 de mayo de 2012)
Chiapas: Threats of displacement in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (14 March 2012)
Chiapas: Next hotel mega-project in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (22 September 2011)
Chiapas: a large hotel complex to begin to be constructed in Montes Azules (Laguna Miramar) (1 July 2011)
Chiapas: La Realidad JBG claims more evictions to come in Zapatista territories (5 May 2010)
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