Guerrero: ‘Alert’ Declared to Protect Human Rights Defenders

On September 11th, the National Network of Civil Organisms for Human Rights “All Rights for All” (Red TDT in Spanish) announced the launch of an Alert for human rights defenders in Guerrero. The purpose of this alert is to take actions that especially protect the organizations that are part of the TDT Network in that state: the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon Regional Center for Defense of Human Rights, (Chilapa), the Tlachinollan Mountain Human Rights Center (Tlapa), as well as the Collective Against Torture and Impunity.

As the first action of this alert, a civil observation mission will be held in Chilapa and Chilpancingo on September 19th and 20th. According to Proceso magazine, this mission aims to have dialogue with victims of human rights violations, to note the difficulties that human rights defenders live on a daily basis in that area and to visit places that have experienced forced displacement.

The TDT Network stated that, “facing State inaction, civil society is obliged to generate follow-up and visibility actions, in order to protect individuals and groups that defend human rights.” It reported, however, that it hopes to have a “high level” meeting with Governor Hector Astudillo, members of his cabinet and mayors from different municipalities affected by violence.

 For more information in Spanish:

ONG documentarán atropellos en Guerrero (La Jornada, 18 de septiembre de 2017)

SE REALIZARÁ LA PRIMERA MISIÓN CIVIL DE OBSERVACIÓN A CHILAPA (Centro de derechos humanos Tlachinollan, 17 de septiembre de 2017)

Ante el desastre de la seguridad; la defensa comunitaria (Centro de derechos humanos Tlachinollan, 18 de septiembre de 2017)

Organizaciones emiten alerta para proteger a activistas en Guerrero (La Jornada, 11 de septiembre de 2017)

Ponen en marcha “Alerta” para proteger a defensores de derechos humanos en Guerrero (Proceso, 11 de septiembre de 2017)

Alerta Defensa DH | Red TDT declara Alerta para personas defensoras del Estado de Guerrero y anuncia Misión de Observación (RedTDT, 10 de septiembre de 2017)

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Oaxaca: NGOs denounce “inadequate and insufficient response from the three levels of government” to earthquake disaster

From September 11th to 14th, seven civil organizations carried out a Humanitarian Aid Observation Mission (MOAH in its Spanish acronym) that toured communities in the Isthmus area of ​​Tehuantepec, which were affected by the earthquake of 8.2 on the Richter scale on September 7th, leaving victims in 283 municipalities of Oaxaca, almost half of the total.

The route covered Ixhuatan, Juchitan de Zaragoza, Matias Romero, Pachiñe River, San Dionisio del Mar, Pueblo Nuevo (Municipal Agency of San Francisco del Mar), San Mateo del Mar, Santa Maria Xadani and Unin Hidalgo.

In their main conclusions, the organizations noted that “the basic needs of the people affected by the earthquake have not been covered”; and that there is “a lack of government coordination in the distribution of humanitarian aid and the discretionary use of scarce resources that have reached the area.”

They also denounced that “candidates and public officials have fallen into opportunism by conditioning humanitarian aid by handing it over to people close to the government and political parties, some even re-labeling and rechanneling food arriving in the area.”

They also stressed that “this crisis situation adds to the preexisting conditions of exclusion, inequality and poverty in which many people and communities in the region visited were found. Therefore, the MOAH emphasizes that in the face of the serious disaster situation caused by the earthquake, affected people are holders of rights, NOT objects of help, and therefore their voice must be heard first during this stage of response and the future stage reconstruction and recovery.”

For more information in Spanish:

Respuesta inadecuada e insuficiente de los tres niveles de gobierno ante desastre por sismo en Oaxaca: ONGs (ONGs, 18 de septiembre de 2017)

Desastre natural exhibe la miseria humana de los políticos y sus partidos que lucran en medio de la desgracia (Página 3, 18 de septiembre de 2017)

DECLARATORIA de Desastre Natural por la ocurrencia de sismo con magnitud 8.2 el 7 de septiembre de 2017, en 283 municipios del Estado de Oaxaca (Diario Oficial, 14 de septiembre de 2017)

Organizaciones denuncian oportunismo político, tras sismo en Oaxaca (Contralínea, 18 de septiembre de 2017)

Misión Humanitaria condena el oportunismo político ante la tragedia en Oaxaca (Proceso, 18 de septiembre de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Nacional: sismo de 8,2 grados Richter. Fuertes afectaciones en Chiapas y Oaxaca (14 de septiembre de 2017)

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)

National/International: Mexico Top Country for Impunity in America

Photo: @plumas libres

In August 2017, the results of the Global Index of Impunity IGI 2017 were published by the University of Las Americas in Puebla UDLAP, UDLAP Jenkins Graduate School, and the Impunity Studies Center (CESIJ) of UDLAP.

It should be noted that the Global Impunity Index measures three dimensions: security, justice and human rights.

Regarding the Global Impunity Index (IGI), Mexico ranks 66th out of 69 countries in impunity, surpassed only by the Philippines, India and Cameroon. This study took into account the statistics presented by the United Nations (UN) countries and delivered to its Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Mexico is the country that occupies first place in America.

In an interview with the rector of the University of the Americas in Puebla, Luis Ernesto Derbez said: “We are the fourth worst,” adding that this “is “terrible” because if impunity in Mexico continues, if we take concrete measures “violence, corruption and insecurity will continue to advance.”

As stated by Animal Politico news website: “The study highlights the increase in the number of police officers in Mexico, 359 per 100,000 inhabitants, nevertheless, assures that this does not represent that those in uniform ones have the adequate preparation to fulfill their duty”. It continued, “the Index recommends that Mexico must take urgent measures to reduce levels of impunity, such as providing a greater budget for security, justice and penitentiary systems, as long as this is reflected in training, infrastructure improvement and the professionalization of the systems mentioned “.

For more information in Spanish:

Incide Global de Impunidad (IGI) 2017. (Agosto 2017)

México, en los últimos lugares del Índice Global de Impunidad 2017. (El Economista, 28 de agosto de 2017)

México en el Índice Global de Impunidad, análisis en Despierta con Loret. (Televisa news, 28 de agosto de 2017)

México, primer lugar de Impunidad en América. (El Universal, 28 de agosto de 2017)

México, el país con mayor impunidad de América Latina, pese al aumento de policías. (Animal Político, 28 de agosto de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Guerrero : tres años de impunidad en el caso del asesinato de Rocío Mesino. (SIPAZ, 20 de octubre de 2016)

Oaxaca : 7 años de impunidad en el caso de Bety Cariño y Jyri Jaakkola. (SIPAZ, 28 de abril de 2017)

Nacional: Según pre-audiencia del TPP, simulación e impunidad impiden erradicar violencia contra mujeres. (SIPAZ, 14 de agosto de 2008)

 

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)

Chiapas: Omissions after Declaration of Gender Violence Alert

Photo: @chiapasparalelo

On September 4th, the network of social and civil organizations that compose the “Popular Campaign against Violence against women and Femicide” reported that, nine months after the declaration of the Gender Violence Alert (GVA), the “slow process” to shield women against femicide and other violent actions they suffer daily in the state continues.

In addition, they appealed to the authorities of the Chiapas government with competencies in the matter that while they progress in the measures of the Alert, that they do not make omissions and attend with due diligence cases of gender violence and feminicide that are presented in the state, as in August, the Center for Women’s Rights of Chiapas (CDMCH in its Spanish acronym) closed its monitoring with 27 cases of violence, ranging from threats, assaults, injuries, intentional homicides, suspicious deaths and femicides in various regions of the state.

On the same day at national level, the president of the National Institute of Women (INMUJERES in its Spanish acronym), Lorena Cruz Sanchez said that much progress has been with the Alert at the legislative level, however she recognizes that to eradicate femicides there is still a long way to go.

For more information in Spanish:

Campaña Popular contra la Violencia hacia las mujeres y el feminicio en Chiapas. (4 de septiembre de 2017)

ONG denuncian dilación y omisiones en puesta en marcha de alerta de género en Chiapas. (Proceso 4 de septiembre de 2017)

Alertas de Género no han erradicado feminicidios: titular de INMUJERES. (4 de septiembre de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: Campaña Popular contra la Violencia hacia las Mujeres cuestiona falta de avances de Alerta de Violencia de Género. (SIPAZ, 28 de abril de 2017)

Chiapas: Mujeres decretan alerta de violencia de género. (SIPAZ, 9 de julio de 2013)

Oaxaca: Solicitan activación de Alerta de Violencia de Género ante el aumento de los feminicidios. (SIPAZ, 26 de febrero de 2014)

Guerrero: Third Visit of IACHR Follow-up Mechanism Three Years after Ayotzinapa Case

Photo @: Sipaz

From August 28th to 30th, the third visit of the Follow-up Mechanism of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for the Ayotzinapa case was conducted to monitor compliance with the recommendations of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (IGIE) investigation.

During his visit, the delegation of the IACHR visited the Rural School “Raúl Isidro Burgos”, where it heard the complaints of the parents, who according to Proceso magazine claim the lack of concrete progress in the case.

According to the Tlachinollan Mountain Human Rights Center of the, the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (PGR in its Spanish acronym) informed the delegation that a team of more than 90 people were exclusively assigned to this research, and hopes that this will translate into results that bring the truth about what happened on September 26th and 27th, 2014.

The fathers and mothers summoned the Attorney General of the Republic to detain the municipal police of Huitzuco and Cocula, who could be involved in the arrest of the student teachers, before October. Otherwise, they warned, they will not return to the negotiating table scheduled for October.

The 26th of September 2017 will mark three years since the night of Iguala during which the 43 student teachers were disappeared, six others murdered and about 25 injured. Among the wounded was Aldo Gutierrez Solano, who received a bullet that destroyed 65% of his brain and he remains in a “vegetative” state. For this occasion parents of the victims announced a national march that will take place in Mexico City.

For more information in Spanish:

Claman justicia por normalistas de Ayotzinapa desaparecidos hace 35 meses (Proceso, 26 de agosto de 2017)

La CIDH lamenta que, a casi tres años, paradero de los 43 “sigue desconocido” (Proceso, 30 de agosto de 2017)

Mecanismo de seguimiento del asunto Ayotzinapa realiza tercera visita oficial a México (Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan, 30 de agosto de 2017)

A 3 años del caso Ayotzinapa, el gobierno sigue sin conocer el paradero de los normalistas: CIDH (Animal Político, 30 de agosto de 2017)

XXXVI ACCIÓN GLOBAL POR AYOTZINAPA Y MÉXICO (Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan, 01 de septiembre de 2017)

En caso Ayotzinapa “hay avances”, pero falta tener pronto noticias del paradero de los 43: CIDH   (Proceso, 4 de septiembre de 2017)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Guerrero: a 34 meses de la tragedia de Ayotzinapa familiares convocan a unas jornadas de lucha (31 de julio de 2017)

Guerrero: Sesión de seguimiento de la CIDH del caso Ayotzinapa : avances nulos (10 de julio de 2017)