CHIAPAS ACTION ALERT -- FROM INT'L INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL
INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL CALLS ON THE MEXICAN
GOVERNMENT TO CEASE FUTHER MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CHIAPAS,
RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND APPLY THE GENEVA
CONVENTION FOR INDIGENOUS PRISONERS
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) calls on the
Mexican government to cease further military operations in
Chiapas and to enter into a negotiated dialogue with real and
effective participation of the indigenous people of that area
regarding the deplorable social and economic conditions that
exist there.
The IITC ia a United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
with consultant status in the Economic and Social Council since
1977. The IITC advocates for human rights, treaty rights,
cultural and spiritual rights, the environment and sovereignty
for Indigenous peoples.
The IITC calls upon the government of Mexico to utilize available
U.N. bodies and specialized agencies which offer important forums
for engaging in serious and constructive dialogue between the
government and the Indigenous peoples. The U.N. International
Labor Organization (ILO) revised convention #169, the U.N.
Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the U.N. Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, and the Organization of American
States (OAS) all provide for hearings on grievances and genuine
Indigenous participatin in their resolution. These international
forums offer the unique opportunity for construction of new
partnerships with Indigenous peoples provided they are properly
implemented.
The OAS, in particular, must also become more involved with the
recent events in Chiapas and report their findings at their next
General Assembly in Washington, D.C. scheduled for January
31-February 12, 1994. The IITC proposes the OAS adopt a
resoultion recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples, and
their need for protection from governments.
Further, the OAS must take into consideration the current and
serious rebellion in Chiapas, and Indigenous peoples across the
continebt because the rebellion is not an exception, nor is it an
isolated case.
In the aftermath of the rebellion, the IITC stresses the need for
the Mexican government to distinguish between the rebels,
civilian populations and the Guatemalan refugees, who live amoung
the Mexican-Guatemalan border. Furthermore, a list of all
prisoners taken during the uprising must be provided to the
public and all prisoners afforded their rights under the Geneva
Convention as prisoners of war.
Because the rebellion in Chiapas seemingly arose in part from
frusteration and helplessness from the Indigenous communities
because of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the
IITC calls on the governments of Mexico, Canada and the United
States to initiate hearings in Indigenous communities, and to
include the impact of NAFTA and its affect on Indigenous
treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between
nation/states and Indigenous peoples. Further, it is imperative
that governments employ consent from Indigenous peoples with
regard to land, natural resources, and the environment.
In its capacity as a United Nations NGO, the IITC will continue
to closely monitor events in Chiapas and has made itself
available to assist in bringing about peaceful and meaningful
dialogue to end the conflict and to present Indigenous grievances
to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva which will begin
January 31-March 11, 1994.
To protect and defend the rights and dignity of Indigenous
peoples in Mexico, the public is urged to fax letters to the
Mexican Mission in Washington D.C. at 202-728-1698 in care of
Ambassador His Excellency Jorge Montan~o, or call 202-728-1600.
Request that copies of letters and faxes be forwarded to the
Mexican President.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE IITC
International Indian Treaty Council
123 Townsend Street #575, San Francisco, CA 94107-1907
Telephone: (415) 512-1501
Fax: (415) 512-1507
Email: iitc@igc.apc.org