DECLARATION OF THE BISHOPS OF CHIAPAS, SAMUEL RUIZ GARCIA (SAN
CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS), FELIPE NAGUIRRE FRANCO (TUXLA GUTIERREZ),
AND FELIPE ARIZMENDI ESQUIVEL (TAPACHULA)
January 2, 1994
The hope for a happy new year has been overshadowed this year by
the conflict in Chiapas.
In the early morning of the first day of this year, a day on which
we celebrate (along with the celebration of Mary, Mother of Christ)
the World Day of Peace, the municipal presidency of San Cristobal
de las Casas was taken by the Zapatista National Liberation Army
(EZLN). We learned through telephone conversations with
neighboring parishes that similar events had occurred in Las
Margaritas, Altimirano, and later, Ocosingo.
According to the information that we were able to obtain, there
exists a political-military movement which declared war on the
Mexican army. We gather that this is a movement with far greater
repercussions than those mentioned in the press. Even though in
this city (San Cristobal) there have been no violent confrontation
nor victims to date, unfortunately there are reports of several
deceased in the other municipalities, the circumstances and numbers
of which we have not been able to determine.
Peasants and indigenous people of Chiapas are the ones
participating in this movement: men, women, and children. In a
communique they solicit the recognition of the state of aggression
and the application of the International Norms in the case of war,
calling for the protection of the civil populace. To it is added
a petition directed to the Mexican people which contains old
demands which have not been satisfied with regard to health,
agricultural surplus, the imposition of authority, social security,
poverty, education, democracy and justice.
As Christians, we are invited to construct the reign of God in
justice and truth. In his December 8 message with regard to the
World Day of Peace Pope John Paul II reminded us that: "...poverty,
and even more so misery --which poses a constant threat to social
stability, community development, and peace-- affects many families
today... no one can feel calm and untroubled while the problem of
poverty persists... an adequate solution has not been found."
Grave situations exist that are calling for bold solutions that
will make the reasons of justice count. The church's social
doctrine has consistently held forth that the rights of the
creation have been destined by God for the service and use of all
of his children. No one should appropriate for themselves or
irrationally destroy these rights forgetting the greater needs of
the common good.
The consequence of legitimate objectives require the use of equally
legitimate means; We must look for adequate solutions until we
exhaust all possibilities. This should be done in the spirit of
dialogue and the sincere recognition that delays in finding urgent
solutions generates frustration that can lead to violence.
Our assessment of the present situation is that anguish and
suffering have lead the members of this movement to believe that
there exists no viable pacific means to make themselves heard.
However, we believe that in spite of the serious situation we face
mutual disposition to dialogue offers solutions which would prevent
more costly consequences than those suffered up to this point.
We do not condone the armed uprising, nor the resort to violence,
but it should serve as a warning of the danger that the abandonment
of marginalized groups implies.
We must make a pledge not to allow ourselves to be taken by the
"temptation of desperation and revenge. Rather we must direct our
behavior towards pardon and reconciliation."
We ask that the people in the afflicted areas maintain a Christian
clam and we demand that both sides respect the safety of the civil
population. We place our evangelical and constructive support at
the disposal of both parties. Let the authenticity of truth and
not force guide us in building the peace which was announced in
Belen.
Source: La Jornada, January 2, 1994, p. 9.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS' COMMUNIQUE ON THE RECENT UPRISING IN CHIAPAS,
In light of the recent disturbing events that have taken place in
several municipalities in the state of Chiapas beginning in the
early morning of January 1, 1994, we, representatives from diverse
social organizations -human rights, NGOs, indigenous,etc.- would
like to present our point of view.
We make up part of the multiplicity of civil and popular
organizations which have been working for some time for the
well-being of popular sectors and the pacific transition to a more
democratic system. We believe that the conditions in which many
sectors of the population live have been continually deteriorating
resulting in desperation.
Nevertheless, we believe that violence is not an adequate solution
for resolving the economic, social, and political problems that the
Mexican people face. However, it must be recognized -with a degree
of preoccupation- that some impoverished sectors consider that in
light of the present conditions there exists no other alternative
than to resort to violence.
This fact could indicate that we may be witnessing in Mexico the
beginning of a period of social explosions (of which the Chiapas
rebellion is only one of its manifestations) that don't contribute
to the development of a more democratic system in Mexico.
In this difficult situation we consider it necessary to inform the
Mexican public of the facts, not to create scandal nor a state of
panic, but to encourage reflection and dialogue.
It would be very unfortunate for this situation to be used as a
pretext to blame organizations that have worked to defend the human
rights of the indigenous population. We are concerned about the
official communique given by the government of Chiapas which
connects the diocese of San Cristobal to the armed uprising. We
also believe that recent events should not be a pretext for
repressing free expression and the development of social
organizations that participate legitimately and legally in the
state of Chiapas.
We ask the both the government and the Zapatista National
Liberation Army (EZLN) to observe the rights of the civil populous
as delineated in national legislation and international
conventions. This situation should not be used to justify military
actions that go against Mexican law.
We ask the Mexican government and the EZLN to accept mediation
offered by the Bishops of Chiapas: Samuel Ruiz Garcia, Felipe
Aguirre and Felipe Arizmendi as this will undoubtedly help to avoid
increased suffering for the civil populous and could contribute to
the resolution of the conflict.
According to the available information, the Mexican government has
to date acted with restraint and moderation. We hope that it
maintains this attitude in the immediate future.
Lastly, we believe that profound reflection on the present
situation presents the opportunity to begin an authentic national
dialogue which would lead to a true consensus to advance toward
democracy. The interests of the Mexican people must be a central
part of this dialogue.
Mexican Academy for Human Rights
Independent Center for Agricultural Workers and Peasants
Friar Bartolome de las Casas Center for Human Rights
Friar Francisco de Victoria Center for Human Rights
National Center for Social Communication
Independent Commission for Human Rights of Morelos
Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of HUman Rights
Convergence of Civil Organizations for Democracy
Human Rights Department of the Archdioces of Mexico
Independent Front of Indian Communities
Democratic Peasant's Union
Authentic Workers' Front
* Origin: el bbs-point (3:970/4.175)