Case MEX 060597
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Mexico.
Brief description of the situation:
The International Secretariat has been informed of various acts which
constitute grave violations of human rights in Mexico.
1. According to the Independent National Committee, affiliated to the
FEDEFAM, an organisation member of the network, on May 5th 1997 police
agents violently detained JOSE DE MOLINA (a singer well known for his
solidarity with all indigenous, peasant and social sectors), DARIO
AGUILAR and MARTIN HERNANDEZ. They were taken to the commissariat of
Xochimilco. It is not known if they are still being detained and the
reasons behind their detention remain unknown.
Moreover, since the same 5th of May up to the date of this appeal,
agents of the police and of the army have targeted and harassed many
teachers engaged in a demonstration demanding the recognition of their
rights, (especially an increase in salary and better social benefits)
as well as the release of some 80 professors and other political
prisoners and an end to militarisation.
The teachers, from Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacan, Tlaxcala, Mexico and
sections 9,10 and 11 of the Federal District, members of the National
Co-ordination of Educational Workers (CNTE) carried out a march to the
capital of approximately 500 kilometres. At present they are stationed
in front of the offices of the Ministry of Education as a permanent
protest.
According to the same reports the authorities have issued or are about
to issue orders of detention against various persons, presumed to be
leaders or activists of teachers' organisations or other social
sectors.
2. According to the same organisation (CNI), the Organisation of
Ethnic Peoples of Veracruz, has reported that a member of the Otomi
indigenous community, ROGELIO GABRIEL MORONES was apparently summarily
executed on April 16th 1997. During this event a peasant, BALDOMERO
MENDOZA, was injured. Both men were from the community of Plan del
Encimal, municipality of Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz.
At the time of the event, both men were on their way to the offices of
the Governor, Sr. Patricio Chirinos Calero. The Governor summoned them
in order to attempt to resolve problems of the land from which they
had been violently evicted on September 8th 1994. During the eviction
Rolando and Atanacio Hernandez Hernandez, both indigenous persons were
killed.
The members of the Organisation of Ethnic Peoples fear for the life of
other indigenous persons. The roads along which they have to travel
are apparently guarded by heavily armed persons (their faces covered).
It is believed that these armed men are under the control of the
cattle rancher Tranquilino Hernandez Reyna.
Action requested
Please write to the Mexican authorities urging them to:
i. guarantee in all circumstances the respect of the physical and
psychological integrity of JOSE DE MOLINA, DARIO AGUILAR and MARTIN
HERNANDEZ and order their immediate release( If they are still being
detained) in the absence of valid judicial charges or, if such charges
exist, bring them before a competent and impartial civil court which
will rule on the case according to due process of law;
ii. carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the presumed
summary execution of ROGELIO GABRIEL MORONES, in order to identify
and bring to trial those responsible and impose upon them the penal,
civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
iii. ensure appropriate medical assistance for BALDOMERO MENDOZA and
guarantee his physical and psychological integrity as well as that of
the other residents of the indigenous community of Plan del Encinal;
iv. ensure the right of the family of ROGELIO GABARIEL MORONES to an
adequate compensation and reparation;
v. put an end to the violence and other grave violations committed
against the indigenous population;
vi. guarantee the full respect of human rights and fundamental
liberties in the country in accordance with national laws and
international standards.
Addresses:
S.E. Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, Presidente de la Republica,
Palacio Nacional, C.P. 06065, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Fax (+ 52 5) 271
17 64 o/or 515 47 83 o/or 516 57 62
Lic. Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, Secretario de Gobernacion, Secretaria
de Gobernacion, Bucareli 99, 2 piso, Col. Juarez, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
Fax (+ 52 5) 546 73 88 o/or 547 03 21 o/or 546 51 33
Dr. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar, Procurador General de Justicia,
Procuraduria General, Violeta y Reforma s/n 2 piso, Col. Guerrero,
Mexico, D.F. CP 06300 Mexico. Fax: (+ 52 5) 626 44 26
Dra. Mireille Rocatti, Presidenta Comision Nacional de Derechos
Humanos, Periferico sur 3469, Col. San Jeronimo Lidice, Deleg.
Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Fax.: (+ 52 5)
631 26 33
The Mexican embassy in your respective countries.
Geneva, May 7th 1997
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph 4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
The World Organisation Against Torture
omct@iprolink.ch
http://www.omct.org/