México, D. F. - May 11, 2006

San Salvador Atenco: Statement by the Mexican Network of Peace Builders (Red Mexicana de Constructores de Paz).

We the organizations and the people belonging to the Mexican Network of Peace Builders, outraged by the repression that took place in San Salvador Atenco, declare that:

As organizations and people working towards the creation of a culture of peace in Mexico, we reject the use of violence as a way to resolve social conflicts.

We consider that the use of force by law enforcement officials in Atenco was excessive and a blatant abuse of power by the State. This violence led to gross human rights violations being committed against the civilian population such as torture and forced disappearances. We reject the use of all forms of torture and ill treatment used by law enforcement officials including the vile use of sexual and gender violence against women detainees.

Municipal, state, and federal authorities are responsible for all physical, psychological as well as moral harm suffered by the victims involved in these events.

We are seriously concerned by a pattern of criminalization of social movements and their leaders, human rights defenders and leftist opposition members by the authorities of the federal government and some states, as well as by some media. This situation generates a climate of fear and social manipulation which favors an “iron fist” and the use of force. This is further proved by statements expressed by some official authorities labeling members of the Peoples’ Front in Defense of Land (Frente de los Pueblos en Defensa de la Tierra) and members of the Other Campaign (Otra Campaña) as “subversive cells” (“células subversivas”) or “destabilizers of the public order” (“destabilizadores del orden social”).

It is important to mention that social activists as well as human rights defenders of various social and civil organizations were also arrested in Atenco along with members of the Peoples’ Front in Defense of Land.

The risks of not fostering dialogue and negotiation as a way to resolve social conflicts are that:

• Resorting to violence and the use of force could become a way to perpetuate social differences whereby those who hold more power impose their solution.
• The radicalization in the positions of the various political and social actors could make dialogue and peaceful settlements harder to reach.
• The multiplication of flashpoints of social discontent and destruction of the social structure.

To move forward in implementing mechanisms that would lead to a long-term solution of the conflict, we are in solidarity with all the people demanding:

• The return of all the people who were forcibly disappeared to their homes and families.
• The liberation of all the people arrested during the law enforcement operations of May 4 in Atenco.
• The cancellation of the arrests orders that are still pending.
• An investigation of the human rights violations committed.
• Redress to all victims according to the law.

It is urgent that the actions of the public authorities be based upon the democratic principles of justice and liberty, respect for human rights, and promotion of dialogue, negotiation and peaceful ways to resolve social conflicts.

Sincerely,

Mexican Network of Peace Builders (Red Mexicana de Constructores de Paz): Servicios y Asesoría para la Paz, Servicio Internacional para la Paz, Movimiento por la Paz con Justicia y Dignidad, Mujeres para el Diálogo, Jóvenes en Resistencia Alternativa, Comisión Intercongregacional de Justicia Paz y Vida, PROPAZ, SICSAL – México, Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Bartolomé de las Casas”, Desarrollo Social para los Mexicanos Indígenas, Consejo indígena Popular de Oaxaca “Ricardo Flores Magón”, Comisión de Apoyo a la Unidad y Reconciliación Comunitaria, Colectivo Contra la Tortura y la Impunidad, Víctor Hugo García Zapata, Rocío Eslava, Rafael Reygadas Robles Gil, Rossana Ramírez Dagio, María Luisa Moncayo, Eréndira Cruz Villegas.