Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Centre and International Service for Peace (Sipaz)

Press Bulletin #34

San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas - November 18^th, 2006

Report of the Human Rights Observation during the Caravan for Peace and Solidarity between Chiapas and Oaxaca

The Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Centre and International Service for Peace (Servicio Internacional para la Paz, SIPAZ) wish to publish the results of the observation made during the Caravan for Peace and Solidarity between Chiapas and Oaxaca. This caravan was convoked by the organization “Las Abejas” from Acteal, Chiapas, and accompanied by several other organizations during the days 9, 10, 11 and 12 of November.

During the trip from Acteal, municipality of Chenalhó (Chiapas), to the city of Oaxaca, the caravan was constantly watched by people dressed as civilians, who video-recorded and photographed the vehicles and persons participating. There was a visible presence of people linked to the Centro de Investigación y Seguridad Nacional (CISEN, Mexican intelligence service) throughout the caravan’s route.

When the caravan was crossing the border between the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, at approximately 8 p.m., three vehicles carrying no license plate suddenly joined the caravan. In order to avoid confrontations, the caravan let them overtake. Later on, they could be seen in the distance, always in a sight distance from the caravan.

When the caravan was close to the community Jalapa del Marqués, Oaxaca, a helicopter kept flying over the vehicles for a few minutes, when the caravan stopped to check one of the vans, which was having technical problems. This situation provoked a false rumor about the caravan having had an accident.

uring the caravan’s presence in the city of Oaxaca, we observed permanent surveillance by people dressed as civilians.

Reaching La Soledad square, which was the arrival point in the city, the drivers decided to establish a guarding commission, as a result of the warnings the caravan had received about plans to damage the vehicles. This atmosphere determined the length of the stay in the city to be shorter than expected.

Apart from the presence of different police forces, the observers ascertained that military checkpoints were set in the entrance of the city. One of them is operating in front of the Seminario Mayor (seminary), the caravan’s main lodging place in Oaxaca.

The boycott against the University Radio, one of APPO’s most important communication channels, was evident: its signal in the frequency 1400 AM is permanently blocked.

Besides, the “citizens’ radio”, which is broadcasting in 99.1 FM, instead of contributing to social peace is a factor of hostility. Citizens are calling to this radio to denounce people supporting APPO.

Considering that the entrance of the caravan to the city’s central square is a gesture of peace that tries to reconcile the parties in the conflict and a call for responsibility, Fray Bartolomé Human Rights Centre and SIPAZ recommend:

• PFP’s retreat from the city’s streets and squares.
• Liberation of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience that have been arrested for participating in social mobilizations.
• The safe return of all the people “disappeared” by para-police forces.
• Guarantee of freedom of movement and free speech for everyone.
• To solve the conflict through dialogue and to attend the demands of the people of Oaxaca

This commission will pay attention to the development of the conflict in Oaxaca. It is evident that official authorities have committed collective and individual human rights violations against the social movement that is demanding the renovation of institutions.

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