SIPAZ Activities (mid-May to mid-August, 2023)

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE AND ACCOMPANIMENT

CHIAPAS

• In May, we attended the start of a sit-in organized by mothers of women who have been victims of murder and disappearance as observers. It was set up in front of the Government Palace in the capital Tuxtla Gutierrez, with the objective of demanding justice and truth regarding what happened to their daughters.
• In May, we participated in the quarterly Assembly of the Believing People of the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas.
• In June, together with other civil organizations, we participated in a Humanitarian Caravan to Frontera Comalapa. This action arose after clashes between members of the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels, which caused the displacement of at least three thousand residents of the area.
• In June, we accompanied the activities that were organized in San Cristobal de Las Casas within the framework of the global action “Stop the War against the Zapatista peoples”, in solidarity with the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) for the attacks that it has suffered, particularly in the Moises Gandhi Autonomous Municipality.
• In June, we were part of a panel organized in a forum convened by Voces Mesoamericanas, within the framework of the World Refugee Day. This event was held as part of the closing of their campaign called “Refuge of Hope”.
• In June, we attended a press conference held in Tuxtla Gutierrez. During this event, the relatives of Adolfo Gomez Gomez, whose dead body was discovered at CERESO 5 in San Cristobal de Las Casas in 2020, exposed the violations of human rights and the obstacles they have faced in their search for truth and justice regarding his death.
• On July 5^th, we accompanied the pilgrimages called by Believing People in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Oxchuc and Teopisca. This same day, there were pilgrimages in seven municipalities to demand that the authorities stop the violence generated by armed groups, and that peace and social stability in the state be guaranteed
• On July 9^th, we were present at the pilgrimage in which thousands of people participated, men, women, boys and girls, Catholic and evangelical parishioners in the capital of Las Margaritas.
• In July, we attended the discussion on forced internal displacement, convened in Mexico City by CSO Space, the Collective of Victims of Forced Displacement and Accompanying Organizations, which took place in Mexico City.
• In August, we participated in the Annual Assembly of Believing People of the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas.

GUERRERO

• In June, we held an online meeting with Teodomira Rosales Sierra, director of the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon Human Rights Center, with whom we discussed the situation in Guerrero.

INFORMATION AND TRAINING FOR ACTION

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• In recent months, we participated in several meetings with human rights organizations throughout Mexico to prepare a joint report for the next Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Mexico from the United Nations (UN).
• In May, we participated in a videoconference with representatives of the Embassies of Belgium, Germany and Spain, with the purpose of addressing various problems and human rights violations that affect indigenous peoples in the country.
• In June, together with other national and international organizations, we attended the IX^th Seminar of Civil Society Organizations on Human Rights, European Union – Mexico. This event had the participation of both Mexican and European Union authorities.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

MAY

• We gave a workshop on safety and protection measures to members of the parish of Las Margaritas.

JUNE

• We facilitated part of the session on Peace Interventions that took place in the framework of the Diploma in Positive Conflict Transformation convened by the Commission of Support for Unity and Community Reconciliation (CORECO).
• Together with the Swedish Movement for Reconciliation (SweFOR), we facilitated a two-day workshop with Pastoral Agents from the different pastoral areas of the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas on Risk Analysis, Security Measures and Protection.
• Together with the organization specialized in digital security Sursiendo, we held a workshop with a dozen journalists and communicators in which they continued to implement training and networking proposals for greater security for the profession.
• We facilitated a workshop with civil society organizations so that they can play a role in the multiplication of the contents of a guide for protection and care prepared by Slamalil Kinal Network (to which we belong).

JULY

• Together with the Swedish Movement for Reconciliation, we facilitated a workshop over two days with Animation and Pastoral Coordination Agents of the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas on aspects of fear management, compassion fatigue, self-care and self-protection.
• We gave a workshop on safety and protection with members of the parish of Las Margaritas.
• We facilitated an analysis with women artisans who participate in Women of Corn from several municipalities in the Highlands and Northern Jungle.

AUGUST

• We organized and facilitated a workshop focused on safety and security issues together with members of Las Margaritas parish.
• We facilitated a workshop with the daughters of artisan women who participate in the Women of Corn collective from various municipalities of the Highlands and Northern Jungle.

INTERNAL TRAINING

• Each month, a member of our team regularly attends the training sessions training in Positive Conflict Transformation called “Peace School”, organized by Services and Consultancy for Peace (SERAPAZ), in Mexico City.
• In June, with external advice, we opened a team space on aspects of self-care, “Recognizing our Value.”
• In July, we received training facilitated by Voces Mesoamericanas on laws and protocols regarding migration and disappearance in Mexico.
• In July, we participated in a security analysis space in San Cristobal de Las Casas, which was attended by several civil organizations with a presence in this city.

NETWORKING

• With a minimum monthly frequency, we attend plenary meetings and networking committees for Peace in Chiapas, Slamalil Kinal. In July, this same platform organized a meeting of some 30 civil organizations that work in the state to share analysis and strategic reflections.
• On a bimonthly basis, we attend operational meetings of the People’s Movement for Peace and Justice (MPPJ). In June, we participated in the first binational action of this collective. Under the slogan “Never Again Ignored”, human rights violations of which migrants are victims were highlighted.
• In May and July, we participated in a meeting with representatives of pastoral areas who are part of the Monitoring Commission of the Congress of Mother Earth, component of the social pastoral care of the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas.
• In June and July, we attended online meetings of all members of the Platform for Peace Building in and outside of Mexico.
• In June and July, we participated in online meetings of the Platform for Peace and Human Rights, European Union and Mexico.
• In July, we attended a space to exchange experiences between companion organizations of human rights defenders in Latin America, which was convened by the Access Foundation of Costa Rica, which took place in Bogota, Colombia.
• In July, we co-convened and co-facilitated a new session of the project we developed with Voces Mesoamericanas and Huridocs entitled “Strengthening the Capacities of Self-protection of Human Rights Organizations and Communities of Chiapas.”