300 TSELTALES AND CHO'OL INDIANS VIOLENTLY EVICTED
IN PALENQUE, CHIAPAS, MEXICO
On Thursday, Dec. 26th, 300 Cho'ol and Tseltal Indians
initiated a sit-in on the steps of the Municipal Palace in
Palenque, Chiapas. The protest demanded an end to police violence
and unjustified arrests, access to interpreters in the court
system, and an end to judicial abuse and corruption.
Organizations represented in the action included the Committee for
the Defense of Indian Freedom (CDLI), the Union of Indian
Communities of the Chiapaneca Jungle (UCISECH), and Tsoblej yu'un
jwocoltic Union.
Official response was inmediate. At midnight on Saturday
28th, 200 state judicial police bearing sticks and firearms
violently evicted the demonstrators from the square. As a result,
102 people were arrested, including Jesuit priest Jeronimo
Hernandez, and Cho'ol deacon Sebastian Torres. While being held
incommunicado, they were beaten, dispossessed of their belongings,
and pressured to sign declarations whose contents were denied
them. The Public Ministry of Palenque denied a request on the
part of local government officials that prisoners be medically
examined in order to certify physical injuries suffered.
On Monday, Dec 30th, Hernandez and 92 Indians were released.
The remaining nine were held without bail on charges which
included disturbing the peace, inciting to riot, and sedition.
On Saturday, January 5th, while government officials held
formal talks with the organizations involved, sentences ranging
from 10 to 40 years were handed down for the nine. Non-
governmental human rights organizations took the case to the
government's National Commission for Human Rights.
The wives of the incarcerated have received support from
throughout the state of Chiapas, as well as from other parts of
the country. Local merchants have financed paid aids requesting
that the authorities respond to the Indians' petitions. Telegrams
demanding freedom for the imprisoned have poured into the governor
and Chief Justice's offices. Meanwhile, government-controlled
farmer and workers' organizations have responded with a
counter-campaign.
On Wednesday 8th, in Tuxtla Gutirrez, one of the judges in
charge declared himself incompetent to continue with the case.
The three organizations who sponsored the December sit-in have
since returned to the Plaza at Palenque, where they are holding
vigil to pressure for the resolution of their original demands and
for the immediate release of the nine imprisoned. Representatives
also took part in the "Exodus for Democracy", a national march
against electoral fraud, that filled Mexico City's central plaza
on Saturday, Jan 11th.
At press time, the demands of the Tzeltales and Cho'oles from
the municipality of Palenque remain unresolved.
Sincerely,
The Committee for the Defense of Indian Freedom (CDLI) The Union
of Indian Communities of the Chiapaneca Jungle
(UCISECH)
Tsoblej yu'un jwocoltic [The Cho'ol & Tzeltal Union to Solve Our
Problems] The Miguel Agustin Pro Center for Human Rights
Notes:
In the actions reported above, the government of Chiapas is
violating the following constitutional guarantees: Art 6:
Freedom of expression; Art 8: Freedom to petition, and the right
to a prompt answer...; Art 9: Freedom to assemble...; Art 14:
Guarantees to property, freedom and civil rights.
In addition, Art 17, 19, 20 fraction 9, Art. 186, of the penal
code of the State of Chiapas guarantees the right to an
interpreter.
The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (Art.2 fraction 1;
Arts. 3, 5, 9, 11, 19, 20) guarantees the right to meet and
assemble peacefully.
For more information, see articles in the "La Jornada" newspaper,
Dec 30th, 31th 1991; Jan 2nd and 9th, 1992; or contact the Miguel
Agustin Pro Human Rights Center. Telephone & Fax:
011-525-511-9097. E-mail: igc!sipro.
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January 9, 1992
VIOLENT EVICTION IN PALENQUE, CHIAPAS, MEXICO
SOME FORMS OF SOLIDARITY.
1) To make public, by any means, the deeds of Palenque, on
December 28th and its latter consequences.
2) To pour telegrams demanding freedom for the imprisoned into:
- the Mexican President, Carlos Salinas de Gortari (Palacio
Nacional del Gobierno; Mexico D.F.)
- the Chiapas State Governor, Patrocinio Gonzalez Garrido
(Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Chiapas,
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas)
- the government's National Commission for Human Rights
president, Jorge Carpizo. (Periferico Sur #3469; Col. San
Jeronimo Lidice;
C.P. 10200 Mexico D.F.)
We suggest the following text:
Stop the repression in Chiapas State. Inmediate freedom to 9
arrested next the violent unfair eviction in Palenque, Dec. 28th.
All of this will help the indians who are fighting for their rights
within the legal frame.
Note:
Please send copy of your telegram to the Miguel Agustin Pro Human
Rights Center. Address: Puebla #45; Col Roma; C.P. 06700 Mexico,
D.F. Telephone & Fax: (52-5)511-9097. E-mail: igc!sipro..