Oaxaca, an unresolved conflict: Update

THE SOCIO-POLITICAL SITUATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN OAXACA (AUGUST 2007)

Since 2004, International Service for Peace (SIPAZ, from its name in Spanish) has been expanding its work to include the State of Oaxaca. Our involvement primarily takes the form of monitoring the press, periodic visits, and regular communication with organizations and social movements operating in Oaxaca.

In September of 2006, SIPAZ participated in the Civil Observation Mission in Oaxaca, conformed by the National Network of Civil Organizations of Human Rights “ All Rights for Everyone” and the Oaxacan Human Rights Network . This meeting resulted in the publication of a report titled “Human Rights Violations in Oaxaca: from the Education Workers’ Union (referred to throughout as the “Teachers’ Union”) strike to the popular mobilization”. From 20 to 27 April 2007, SIPAZ returned to Oaxaca, conducting a series of interviews with diverse social organizations, NGOs and government authorities (see the Spanish-language report “Oaxaca, un conflicto todavía abierto: Situación socio-política y violaciones a derechos humanos en Oaxaca después de noviembre de 2006”).

Between 3 and 12 August 2007, SIPAZ visited Oaxaca once again, conducting another series of interviews. Using the information from the interviews conducted with various participants in social movements, we have developed the present report attempting to give an over view of the situation in the State. This report focuses on the socio-political climate and on the human rights violations that continue to be denounced by local, national, and international human rights organizations .