San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, October 12th, 2017.

Joint communiqué.

International accompaniment and observation of human rights

The Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Center for Human Rights, (Frayba) and the International Peace Service (SIPAZ) report that they will be accompanying the caravan organized in the framework of the tour of the National Indigenous Congress and the Indigenous Council of Government, which will take place from October 13th to 19th of this year in the state of Chiapas according to the following announced program:

Friday, October 13th, 2017.- Start of caravan to Las Margaritas.

Saturday, October 14th, 2017.- Village of Guadalupe Tepeyac.

Sunday, October 15th, 2017.- Morelia Caracol.

Monday, October 16th, 2017.- La Garrucha Caracol.

Tuesday October 17th, 2017 .- Roberto Barrios Caracol.

Wednesday, October 18th, 2017.- Palenque.

Thursday October 19th, 2017.- Oventik Caracol.

The objective of the accompaniment will be to provide a presence for observation and documentation for the respect of human rights in the course of the caravan and in the planned events. Regrettably, in the face of the denunciations made by the National Indigenous Congress (CNI in its Spanish acronym) in recent months, which have included threats, attacks and aggressions, we see this deterrent presence as necessary. We consider it important that these activities be carried out with peace of mind, as part of a peaceful organizational effort aimed at defending the rights of indigenous peoples in the country.

The present communiqué is to inform the Mexican authorities and international human rights bodies, so that in their area of ​​competence, they provide guarantees of protection to the caravan, which we reiterate, is a civil and peaceful action.

In the same way, we ask for guarantees of respect and protection of the integrity and safety of the members of the caravan, the right to life, and individual and collective rights and freedoms, guaranteeing in the immediate future the necessary conditions to carry out the caravan, without police accompaniment being considered in the activities.

The members of SIPAZ will be present in the activities wearing vests with the organization logo and the text ‘international observer’.

The members of the Frayba will be accompanying the Caravan as human rights observers.

See: https://www.congresonacionalindigena.org/

We call for permanent accompaniment by international human rights organizations.

We call for national and international solidarity to demand the Mexican State in its three levels of government:

1.- Guarantee the work of human rights defenders in Mexico.

2.- Immediately adopt appropriate measures to guarantee the safety and physical integrity of the members of the Caravan of the National Indigenous Congress as well as the Indigenous Council of Government.

3.- Ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9th, 1998.

4.- In general, ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with international human rights standards ratified by Mexico.

We declare that we will be attentive at all points of the tour, with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights and documenting any security incident.

This communiqué has been sent to the authorities of the Mexican State, as well as to international human rights bodies.

For more information:

Congreso Nacional Indígena (CNI)

Este sábado se registra Marichuy, la aspirante presidencial zapatista (El Proceso, 6 de octubre de 2017)

La aspirante indígena a la presidencia de México rechaza dinero público para su campaña (El País, 9 de octubre de 2017)

Para más información en ingles:

Mexico’s Indigenous Congress: Decolonising politics (Al Jazeera, 27 de septiembre de 2017)

Zapatista-Backed Indigenous Woman Registers to Run for Mexican Presidency (teleSUR, 7 de octubre de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas/Nacional : Candidata presidencial “no es decisión de una persona” (Subcomandante Moíses) (15 de noviembre de 2016)

Chiapas / Nacional : CNI y EZLN realizarán consulta para nombrar a una candidata indígena hacia las elecciones presidenciales de 2018 (15 de octubre de 2016)

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Chiapas: Theft, Burglary, Harrassment and Intimidation on the Chiapas Coast.

The Digna Ochoa Human Rights Center denounced that on October 2nd, the domicile of human rights defender Guadalupe Nuñez Salazar, Councilor of the Indigenous Council of Government, was raided.

The doors and veneers of the house, located on Calle 1º de Mayo No. 73 in the Colonia Evolucion in the city of Tonala, Chiapas, “were not forced, the subjects entered through the back of the house, until arriving at the room of Mrs. Guadalupe where they only took away a cell phone, Lanix brand, a TV, and her wallet containing the amount of $MXN 1500.00 as well as her personal ID.”

The Digna Ochoa Center also reported that the PGR Criminal Investigation Agents carried out acts of intimidation and harassment against their members on October 4th when they returned, after having toured three communities affected by the September 7th earthquake in Tonala. “A white Tacoma pickup with no plates blocked the way, three armed men came down and asked them to get out of the vehicle, when they did, the uniformed subjects began to take pictures and videos.” According to a bulletin from the Digna Ochoa Center, of PGR gave different reasons for the detention, the first was “that they had received a complaint stating that an organization was asking for money in exchange for providing food and that they were investigating” and the second “in Paredon there was a young man who had been arrested for automobile theft, stating that since we are new, they did not know how to proceed because the boy was asking for support regarding his rights, as we were told at the checkpoint that you were human rights [defenders], we stopped them and asked them.”

The Digna Ochoa Center. expressed its concern about the acts of robbery, search, harassment, intimidation and “demands the Mexican State and the Government of Chiapas:

– End all acts of threat, intimidation, harassment against Mrs. Guadalupe Nuñez, Councilor of the Indigenous Council of Government on the Coast of Chiapas.

-It will guarantee her physical integrity and her life as well as that of her family before any present or future situation.

– Investigate and punish those responsible for the search and theft of objects against Mrs. Guadalupe Nuñez.

– Investigate and punish the behavior of the three elements of the Criminal Investigation Agency attached to the PGR in Chiapas.

– Take the necessary measures to ensure the full exercise of their human rights in the framework of the political proposal of the Indigenous Congress of Government and to support the people affected by the earthquake on the coast of Chiapas.

– Stop all acts of intimidation and harassment against members of the Center for Human Rights by public officials, especially police bodies.”

 For more information in Spanish:

Acción Urgente: Allanamiento y Robo en casa de Concejal del Concejo Indígena de Gobierno en la Costa de Chiapas #CIG #CNI (Centro de Medios Libres, 3 de octubre de 2017)

Pronunciamiento del CNI por el allanamiento y robo a la concejala de la Costa de Chiapas (Congreso Nacional Indígena, 4 de octubre de 2017)

Agentes de Investigación Criminal de PGR realizan actos de intimidación y hostigamiento a integrantes del Centro de Derechos Humanos Digna Ochoa. (Centro de Derechos Humanos Digna Ochoa AC, 6 de octubre de 2017)

Pronunciamiento en solidaridad por el allanamiento y robo de Guadalupe Nuñez, concejala del Concejo Indígena de Gobierno (Centro de Derechos Humanos Digna Ochoa AC, 3 de octubre 2017)

Chiapas: “Let’s Love, Care for and Defend our Common Home, Mother Earth” Encounter

Altar at the encounter (@SIPAZ)

From September 19th to 21st, the Encounter “Let’s Love, Care for and Defend our Common Home, Mother Earth” was held in the community of Candelaria, municipality of San Cristobal de Las Casas, in which around 300 people participated, from the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas, and guests of other dioceses, organizations and churches. This space was opened “as a follow-up to the agreements of the Mother Earth Pastoral Congress, held in January 2014 as part of the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Indigenous Congress of 1974 … We gather, enlightened by the word of God, and today, with the encyclical Laudato Si of Pope Francis, who summons us to defend our Mother Earth before the destruction and the dispossession that the capitalist system exercises. That is why we meet different parishes and organizations to unite our struggles and find alternatives to care for and defend our Common Home.”

In this new Encounter, they explained, “we analyze the reality that we are living in our communities, we share experiences of struggle and resistance before the megaprojects that come from above, striving to destroy our life and our Mother Earth.” Progress was also made in the design of a plan of action at the parish and diocesan level, in order to prevent the destruction of nature.

In their final declaration, they reaffirmed “that we will stand in the struggle and intensify our actions for the defense of our territories, identity, culture and autonomy. (…) We call on civil society to organize and defend our Common Home.”

For more information in Spanish:

Pronunciamiento final del Encuentro (21 de septiembre de 2017)

Piden crear plan de acción para cuidar la naturaleza (Cuarto Poder, 22 de septiembre de 2017)

Comunidades se unen contra proyectos mineros en Chiapas (Reporte Ciudadano, 24 de septiembre de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: Culmina el Congreso de la Madre Tierra (28 de enero de 2014)

ARTÍCULO: Congreso Pastoral de la Madre Tierra (Informe trimestral de SIPAZ, febrero de 2014)

Chiapas: EZLN Sixth Commission Announces Tour Program for Indigenous Council of Government

Photo: @ Letra Roja

On September 15th, the EZLN Sixth Commission convened the start of the Indigenous Council of Government tour in Chiapas for October 14th, 2017. The Council’s spokesperson is Maria de Jesus Patricio, a possible independent candidate for the 2018 presidency. The events will take place

“in the framework of the National Working Assembly between the Indigenous Council of Government and the peoples who make up the National Indigenous Congress (CNI) to be held at CIDECI, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, October 12, 13, and 19, 2017.”

 The communiqué indicates that from October 14th to 19th, 2017, they will visit four caracoles, the town of Guadalupe Tepeyac and the municipality of Palenque for “a series of events to greet the Indigenous Council Of Government—the voice, ear, and heart of the indigenous peoples of the CNI.”

According to the schedule published last Friday the events will be held according to the following order:

“Saturday, October 14th, 2017: Community of Guadalupe Tepeyac, MAREZ (Zapatista Autonomous Municipality in Rebellion) of “San Pedro de Michoacan.” Time undetermined, as it depends on how much time it takes to get from CIDECI to Guadalupe Tepeyac. The CIG delegation will stay there overnight.

Sunday, October 15th, 2017: Caracol of Morelia, MAREZ of “17 de Noviembre,” Tzotz Choj zone.  Time undetermined, as it depends on how much time it takes to get from Guadalupe Tepeyac to the caracol of Morelia. The CIG delegation will stay there overnight.

Monday, October 16th, 2017: Caracol of Garrucha, MAREZ of “Francisco Gómez,” Selva Tzeltal zone. Time undetermined, as it depends on how much time it takes to get from the caracol of Morelia to the caracol of Garrucha. The CIG delegation will stay there overnight.

Tuesday, October 17th, 2017: Caracol of Roberto Barrios, MAREZ of “Trabajo,” northern zone of Chiapas. Time undetermined, as it depends on how much time it takes to get from the caracol of Garrucha to the caracol of Roberto Barrios. The CIG delegation will stay there overnight.

Wednesday, October 18th, 2017: Bad government municipality of Palenque, Chiapas. 10:00am. Travel to CIDECI in San Cristobal de Las Casas. The CIG will stay overnight at CIDECI.

Thursday, October 19, 2017. Caracol of Oventik, MAREZ of “San Andrés Sakamch’en de los Pobres,” Highlands zone of Chiapas. Return to CIDECI where the work of the assembly concludes.”

 For more information in Spanish:

Programa de la gira del Consejo Indígena de Gobierno en Chiapas, del 14 al 19 de Octubre del 2017 (Enlace Zapatista, 15 de septiembre del 2017)

María de Jesús Patricio realizará gira por Chiapas (La Jornada, 16 de septiembre del 2017)

Candidata zapatista prepara gira por Chiapas en octubre (SDPnoticias.com, 16 de septiembre del 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Nacional / Chiapas : El CNI conforma su Concejo Indígena de Gobierno y elige a su vocera (31 de mayo del 2017)

Chiapas/Nacional : Candidata presidencial “no es decisión de una persona” (Subcomandante Moíses) (15 de noviembre del 2017)

Chiapas / Nacional : CNI y EZLN realizarán consulta para nombrar a una candidata indígena hacia las elecciones presidenciales de 2018 (15 de octubre del 2016)

Chiapas: Pemex to Provide Resources in Perpetuity to Preserve the Lacandon Jungle

Photo: @Chiapas State Government

On September 31st, from the archaeological zone of Bonampak, the general director of Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, reported that as part of its sustainability program, it will donate 25 million pesos for the conservation of the Lacandon Jungle, in order to promote the productive reconversion of the area and combat climate change.

The announcement was made during the delivery of more than 11 million pesos destined to Lacandon comuneros for 120 productive projects through different programs for environment conservation projects. As well as González Anaya, the Secretary of Finance and Public Credit, Jose Antonio Meade Kuribreña; the secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, Rafael Pacchiano Alamán and the governor, Manuel Velasco Coello were present.

“We will continue to work hand in hand with the community of the Lacandon, the Municipal Council and the Government of the Republic to generate concrete actions that benefit the jungle of Chiapas, which is the jungle of Mexico and pride of our entire nation,” Governor Velasco stressed, according to a statement from the Chiapas State Government.

In addition, the same bulletin said that was “the new authorities of Communal Goods that will make up “The Lacandon Community” were sworn into office, among which time three women were elected for the first; this conformation means the union of the three ethnicities of the region: Chol, Tseltal and Maya-Lacandon, who will work for the care of the jungle. “

It is worth mentioning that Pemex’s investments in this area represent 90 million that Enrique Peña Nieto delivered last June during the commemoration of World Environment Day.

For more information in Spanish:

Van 25 mdp para la Selva Lacandona (Diaro de Chiapas, 1 de septiembre de 2017)

Anuncia Pemex aportación de 25 mdp anuales para conservar la Selva Lacandona (Gobierno del Estado de Chiapas, 1 de septiembre de 2017)

Pemex anuncia apoyos para la conservación permanente de la Selva Lacandona (Pemex, 31 de agosto de 2017)

Entregan 11 mdp para la conservación de la Selva Lacandona (MxPolítico, 31 de agosto de 2017)

Recibe Selva Lacandona recursos a perpetuidad para su conservación (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, 31 de agosto de 2017)

Guerrero: Demand for Justice for Femicide of Me´phaa Woman

Image @: Voces Oaxaca

On August 24th, three years after the femicide of the young Me’phaa, Florencia Sanchez Joaquin, in the municipality of Acatepec, the mother and sister of the victim received precautionary measures from the Commission for the Defense of Human Rights Guerrero (CODEHUM), after receiving threats and damages to their property for demanding that femicide does not go unpunished

Florence was found dead at her home on August 24th, 2014, after being beaten with hammers and knives by her husband, Marcelino de la Cruz Sanchez and complices. Marcelino was arrested on May 14th, 2017, accused of his wife’s femicide. As a result of his detention, the threats, aggressions and intimidation from relatives of Marcellin and others involved in femicide became increasingly stronger against the victim’s mother and sister.

In a statement, the Tlachinollan Mountain Human Rights Center urged public security and justice institutions to implement measures to guarantee the right to protection of life and physical and mental integrity, of property, possessions and to avoid irreparable damage.

For more information in Spanish:

Dictan medida cautelares para familiares de una víctima de feminicidio en Acatepec (El Sur de Acapulco, 25 de agosto de 2017)

Exigen justicia para mujer Me´phaa víctima de feminicidio (Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan, 24 de agosto de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ :

Guerrero : emiten Alerta de Género en 8 municipios del estado (24 de junio de 2017

Chiapas: MOVEDITE Announcement on Early Political Campaigns

Photo:@MOVEDITE

On August 19th, 2017, the Movement in Defense of Life and Territory (MOVEDITE in its Spanish acronym) of Chiapas issued a statement from the community of Santa Cruz in Sitala, where they strongly denounce, “political groups disguised as civil associations or aid foundations that use people and abuse their poverty. Where they condition the most basic aid for votes and thus corrupt those who they say they support.”

They further reproached “the political propaganda on posters, painted walls and calendars that promote candidates outside the stipulated time. Without respecting the laws and norms, it is obvious that what really matters to the parties is the triumph of their groups and not the good of the people.”

They also added that they reject “people who are visiting communities offering support and wanting to buy community leaders. It confirms that the parties have not changed and will not change the way they do things.”

They recalled through the communiqué that it is illegal for the parties to advance the campaign using, for example, the creation of foundations.

They urged all who receive this word to build autonomy and denounce lies from the path of their traditions seeking a fairer and more dignified life, where everybody has a place.

 Their denunciation is headed by a statement by Bishop Felipe Arizmendi, Bishop of the Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas in which he states, “The parties split, divide and confront the communities. Legislators should analyze the feasibility and suitability of another electoral system: […] by traditions and customs. Analyze this path and advance democracy, if it really interests them that the people be the ones who build their history.”

It is worth mentioning that MOVEDITE is made up of Tseltal, tsotsil, ch’ol and mestizo men and women with presence in 11 parishes of 12 municipalities and one ejido of Chiapas, members of the Believing People of the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas.

 For more information in Spanish:

Pronunciamiento de MOVEDITE ante las campañas políticas anticipadas. (20 de agosto de 2017)

 For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: Culmina peregrinación de 12 días del Movimiento de defensa de la Vida y el Territorio en San Cristóbal de las Casas. (29 de noviembre de 2017)

Chiapas: El pueblo Zoque se está movilizando contra de los mega-proyectos en Chiapas. (29 de junio de 2017)

Chiapas: Peregrinación de unos 400 católicos en defensa de los pueblos, la Madre Tierra y por la liberación de presos. (6 de septiembre de 2016)