AUT: SIPAZ: Armed Attack on Bishops

[forlatam@xxxxxxxxxxx (SIPAZ)]

SIPAZ Action Alert

URGENT ACTION ALERT of SIPAZ
November 7th, 1997

Armed Attack on Bishops Samuel Ruiz Garcia and Raul Vera Lopez

At 6:40 PM on November 4, a caravan that included the  bishops of the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, Samuel Ruiz Garcia  and Raul Vera Lopez, was ambushed in a rural part of  Tila in northern Chiapas. Two of the vehicles were sprayed with gunfire as they traveled on a remote dirt road.
Three pastoral workers were wounded: Jose Pedro Perez Perez, Jose Vazquez Perez, and Manuel Perez Perez.

While it is not known who fired the shots, the place where the attack occurred is known as a center of operation of the paramilitary group "Paz y Justicia" (Peace and Justice).  Bishops Ruiz and Vera were in the middle of a pastoral mission to the northern region.  They announced that they will continue their community visits, returning as scheduled on November 9.

Also, on November 6 in San Cristobal de las Casas the sister of bishop Samuel Ruiz was attacked while she was in the offices of the diocese. Mrs. Maria de la Luz Ruiz Garcia received serious head injuries and is now in critical condition at the hospital of Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Background

In spite of the important progress in the democratization process represented by the July 6 national elections, events in Mexico and in particular in Chiapas show that justice and peace for the Mexican people are not at hand.

We view these violent acts against the life of the bishops of San Cristobal and personal of the diocese in general, as part of a plan of aggression against the Catholic Church and its leaders. Msgr. Samuel Ruiz is president of the National
Commission for Mediation (CONAI), the mediator in the conflict between the EZLN (Zapatista Army) and the Mexican government. He has become the target of a press campaign that accuses him of destabilizing the peace process. For several months, some local authorities in northern Chiapas have padlocked Catholic chapels and prohibited the visits of Catholic priests and other pastoral agents.

After a pastoral mission of Msgr. Raul Vera in May 1996, the paramilitary group Paz y Justicia attacked several of the communities he visited, killing a number of people, destroying medical and food supplies, vandalizing chapels, and driving people from their homes.

These latest attacks add fuel to the ongoing conflict in the northern region of Chiapas that has to date resulted in 300 dead and 4000 people displaced.

In another troubling development, recently the violence has extended from the northern region of Chiapas to other municipalities. For example in Chenalho, in recent weeks the press has reported 15 deaths, 25 wounded and 200 displaced families, including both PRI and Zapatista supporters.

Meanwhile, the threats and repression against Catholic pastoral workers go unpunished, in particular in the north of Chiapas.

Recommended Action

Please send faxes or letters to the officials listed below, asking them to investigate this and other acts of violence, to punish those responsible, and to guarantee the security of Msgr. Samuel Ruiz Garcia, Msgr. Raul Vera Lopez and the other pastoral workers of the Catholic Church.

PLEASE RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
(See sample letter below)

The SIPAZ team
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas



Adresses:

Lic. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio Nacional:
06067, Mexico, D.F.
Fax: int-52-5-516-5762 / 515-4783
email: webadmon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Emilio Chuayffet Chemor
Secretario de Gobernacion
Bucareli 99, 1er piso
Col. Juarez
06699 Mexico, DF - Mexico
Fax: int-52-5- 546-5350

Jorge Madrazo Cuellar
Procuraduria General de la Republica
Paseo de la Reforma  No. 75
Col. Guerrero
06300 Mexico, D.F.
Fax: int-52-5-626-4419


Sample letter

Dear

We are very concerned about the November 4 attack on the caravan that included  the bishops of the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, Samuel Ruiz Garcia and Raul Vera Lopez, in the municipality Tila.  It is well known that that area is a center of operations of the paramilitary group "Paz y Justicia."

This attack,  as the attack against the sister of Don Samuel Ruiz,  is apparently part of a campaign against members of the Diocese of San Cristobal. It is highly regrettable that in the past, such attacks have met with seeming indifference of the state authorities and have gone unpunished.

Therefore I request your immediate intervention to see that those responsible for these attacks are apprehended and to stop the violence and other illegal activities of such paramilitary groups.  It is difficult to imagine how the peace process can move forward in such a climate.

Finally I request that you take measures to insure the security of Mons. Samuel Ruiz Garcia, Mons. Raul Vera Lopez, and all the pastoral workers of the Catholic Church in Chiapas.

Sincerely,


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