On June 30th, the Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Center for Human Rights (Frayba), the Swedish Movement for Reconciliation (SweFOR Mexico) and the International Service for Peace (SIPAZ), accompanied Las Abejas de Acteal Civil Society Organization and the relatives of Simon Pedro Perez Lopez to the second hearing in the case of the murder of the human rights defender.
The second hearing was the presentation of evidence. “(The family of Simon Pedro, Las Abejas and Frayba) have worked to present evidence that reveals the truth about the murder of our colleague, as well as the effects that occurred on a personal, community and social level due to these events. Eaqually, in an attempt against impunity”, Frayba said in a statement. However, the judge accepted only ten of the 15 pieces of evidence presented, allegedly due to duplication of evidence.
Outside the Cintalapa Courts, Las Abejas and relatives read a statement to demand justice for the murder of Simon Pedro on July 5th, 2021 in the municipal center of Simojovel, after denouncing the omission of the Mexican State before the unpunished actions of organized crime groups in Pantelho. On placard they demanded “justice, memory and truth for Simon Pedro Perez Lopez”, and expressed: “Blessed are those who work for peace, because they will be called children of God.”
Among the activities carried out outside the Courts, Las Abejas prayed in Tzotzil and the Acteal choir sang. They then gave the floor to Juan Perez Gomez, father of Simon Pedro, and Guadalupe Vazquez Luna, another member of Las Abejas and survivor of the Acteal massacre, thanking civil society for their support and demanding justice and peace from the Mexican state. “We regret that in our country it is not possible to stop the murders of human rights defenders, journalists and women, it continues to call attention, likewise, we demand the end of the criminalization of defenders and the defense of human rights in Mexico”, Frayba stated.
For more information in Spansh:
Continúa la exigencia de justicia durante el proceso penal contra el acusao del asesinato de Simón Pedro Pérez López (Frayba, 30 de junio de 2022)
Exigen admitir pruebas para esclarecer asesinato del defensor Simón Pérez en Chiapas (Desinformemonos, 1 de julio de 2022)
For more information from SIPAZ:
sipazen.wordpress.com 