Indigenous Leader Assasinated in Chiapas, Mexico March 9, 1994
Mariano Perez Diaz leader of the Organizacin Campesina Emiliano
Zapata (OCEZ) was assasinated on March 9, 1994 in the
municipality of Simojovel north of San Cristobal de las Casas in
Chiapas.
Mr Perez Diaz was leaving his community of El Carmalito with his
son when they were ambushed by eight heavily armed men. He died
immediately. His son, Jorge Perez Nunez, was seriously injured and
remains in the hospital in critical condition.
Mariano Perez Diaz and several other Indigenous and peasant
leaders have received death threats from paramilitary groups
associated with the state's wealthy ranchers and landowners. These
threats have increased since the end of the first round of
negotiations between the EZLN and the Mexican government.
Mr Perez Diaz was a representative of the State Council of
Indigenous and Campesino Organizations of Chiapas (CEOIC)--the
recently founded body representing 280 grassroots organizations in
the state.
Several of the Council's other leaders have received death threats
and are considered in danger. Among these individuals are: Antonio
Hernandez representative of the Central Independiente de Obreros
Agricolas y Campesinos (CIOAC) and Margarito Ruiz of the Frente
Independiente de Pueblos Indios (FIPI).
A campaign to depose peace negotiator Bishop Samuel Ruiz has also
recently been intensified. Yesterday at least 5 churches were
closed by local authorities who have stated that they will not be
allowed to reopen until Bishop Ruiz leaves San Cristobal de las
Casas.
It is believed that the assasination and attacks on Bishop Ruiz
are part of a destabilization campaign by large landowners,
merchants and politicians who fear their interests might be
affected by succesful completion of the Peace agreement.
Please write and call the Mexican government demanding a full
investigation of the murder and that the killers be brought to
justice. Also express your concern and outrage at the acts of
intimidation against indigenous leaders by paramilitary groups
which go unchecked (and possibly aided) by the government.
Please contact:
Lic. Carlos Salinas de Gortari Presidente de los Estados Unidos
Mexicanos Palacio Nacional Mexico, D.F. Fax: 011-52 2-71-17-74