The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in connection with the following situation in Mexico.
Brief description of the situation:
The International Secretariat has received extremely grave reports
from various sources over the deterioration of human rights in Mexico,
particularly in the State of Guerrero.
According to these reports there are strong grounds reasons to fear
for the safety and freedom of the following professors: Esmaregdo
Ceferino VILLA, Florencio Andr?s CASTA?EDA, Juan VILLA HERNANDEZ,
Fortunato CEFERINO, Jos? VASQUEZ ROCENDO, Ramos Reyes GUERRERO, Isaac
MENOR HERNANDEZ, Roberto VASQUEZ TRINIDAD, Santiago RIVERA CEFERINO
and Raymundo VILLA HERNANDEZ, from the community of Temalacalzingo,
municipality of Olinal?, Guerrero.
The above-mentioned professors have been in Mexico City and have been
demanding improved living and working conditions for the past month.
The reports suggest that these persons are wanted by elements of the
Mexican army and the police because of their active participation in
the teachers' struggle. The fact raise grave concerns that they may be
detained, tortured or made to disappear when returning to their work
in the indigenous communities. The authorities continue to maintain a
state of siege in the indigenous communities villages and have
illegally detained indigenous peasants, accusing them of being members
of the EPR (Popular Evolutionary Army).
Action requested
Write to the Mexican authorities urging them to:
i. adopt all necessary measures in order to guarantee in all
circumstances respect for the physical and psychological integrity of:
Esmaregdo Ceferino VILLA, Florencio Andr?s CASTA?EDA, Juan VILLA
HERNANDEZ, Fortunato CEFERINO, Jos? VASQUEZ ROCENDO, Ramos Reyes
GUERRERO, Isaac MENOR HERNANDEZ, Roberto VASQUEZ TRINIDAD, Santiago
RIVERA CEFERINO and Raymundo VILLA HERNANDEZ,
ii. take all steps in their power in order to put an end to the
threats and other acts of violence against members and workers in the
field of education;
iii. 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 Rep?blica,
Palacio Nacional, C.P. 06065, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Fax (+ 52 5) 515
57 29 o/or 516 57 62
Lic. Emilio Chuayffet Chemor, Secretario de Gobernaci?n, Secretaria de
Gobernaci?n, Bucareli 99, 2? piso, Col. Juarez, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
Fax (+ 52 5) 546 53 50 o/or 547 03 21 o/or 546
Lic. Mireille Rocatti,, Presidenta Comisi?n Nacional de Derechos
Humanos, Perif?rico sur 3469, Col. San Jer?nimo L?dice, Deleg.
Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, M?xico, D.F., M?xico. Fax.: (+ 52 5)
631 26 33
Geneva, 2nd June 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/