AUT: A Letter (fwd)

["Harry M. Cleaver" <hmcleave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 12:56:40 -0700
From: oops@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Reply-To: chiapas-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: Multiple recipients of list <chiapas-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: A Letter

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We were asked to post this:
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TO ALL CHIAPAS SOLIDARITY FOLKS

The twelve human rights observers expelled from Taniperla, Chiapas
last year are expecting a decision on the appeal of their expulsion
case within a week.

The decision on this case will set a precedent which will affect the
presence of human rights observers in Chiapas and other parts of
Mexico. Since the wave of expulsions which began last year, along with
the accompanying government propaganda about "foreign interference"
and "outside agitators," foreign observers have become much more
cautious and less willing to go to areas where there are serious
conflicts. As a result more non-indigenous Mexicans have been risking
themselves to fill this gap.

Now the xenophobic government propaganda campaign has been extended to
anyone who is not from Chiapas who dares to visit the indigenous
communities. This has been the case with the Mexican students who went
to Amador Hernandez as observers when the army set up camp outside the
community. The governor of Chiapas declared them and Ofelia Medina, a
Mexican actress known for her support of the indigenous in Chiapas, 
persona non grata and ordered them out of the state. Also a Mexican
woman and two foreigners traveling together were attacked at a
roadblock set up by paramilitaries.

Please help defend the presence of observers, Mexican and
international, in Chiapas. The Mexican government should work to
protect them and facilitate their work rather that threaten and vilify
them. To support the twelve observers expelled from Taniperla please
send faxes and letters to the judge in charge of the case:

Lic. Guillermo Velasco Felix
Sidar y Ruvirosa, Esquina con Eduardo Molina
Colonia del Parque, Delegación Venustiano Carranza, C.P. 15960
Mexico
Fax: 011-52-5-229-0369

It would also be a good idea to send a copy to the Secretary of
Government:

Lic. Diodoro Carrasco
Bucareli No. 99, primer piso
Colonia Juárez, Mex. D.F., C.P. 06699
Mexico
Fax: 011-52-5-546-5350

And to the Subsecretary for Population and Immigration Services:

Lic. Jose Angel Pescador Osuna
Bucareli No. 99
Colonia Juárez, Mex. D.F., C.P. 06699
Mexico
Fax: 011-52-2-566-1420


Here is a sample letter:

Distinguished Sir:

The organizations and individuals listed below are concerned about the
case of the twelve foreigners detained in the community of Taniperla,
Chiapas on April 11, 1998 and expelled from Mexico the following day. 
Their case was heard in Mexico City on February 18, 1999. The appeal,
number 439/99,  was heard on August 19, 1999 in the Third Tribunal for
Criminal Matters, and a decision is expected any day.

We urge you to see that they receive a fair trial, free from political
interference, as guaranteed by both Mexican and international law. We
are watching the progress of this case closely, as its outcome will
significantly impact the work of human rights observers in Mexico.

Sincerely,

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