UNITED NATIONS
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Fifty-fifth session
Agenda item 15
Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
The Situation in Chiapas
Oral Presentation by Randy Vasquez,
Monday, April 19, 1999.
International Educational Development/Humanitarian Law Project has
been exceptionally concerned about the war in Chiapas, Mexico - a war
against the Indigenous peoples of the Tojolabal, Tzotzil, Tzeltzal, Chole
and Zoque communities. Since the end of the main military actions by the
Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional (the EZLN) and the Mexican
Federal Army in 1994, a dirty war has been carried out against these
Indigenous peoples.
The EZLN has called for a political solution to the situation, yet
the government has stormed the area with tens of thousands of soldiers and
has occupied Indigenous schools and villages. Roads and highways are cut
off. Many Indigenous peoples accused of being sympathizers of the EZLN are
arrested, tortured and even killed. These Indigenous people are in a
crisis situation, with harvests destroyed and hunger plaguing them.
There are now 70,000 military forces in Chiapas - almost one third
of the Mexican Army. In addition, the State Public Security Forces, the
Judicial State and Federal Police and the Migration Police, combined with
the military, have a total of more than 239 bases in Chiapas alone. The
purpose of this overwhelming presence is to intimidate the Indigenous
population in Chiapas, and to disperse them from their traditional areas.
The trigger-happy army, and the paramilitary forces that function with the
acquiescence of the military forces, have been responsible for some of the
worst massacres of Indigenous peoples in this century: Acteal;
Chavajebal; Union Progreso; San Juan de la Libertad will ring in our ears
far into the next millenium. The more than 20,000 Indigenous peoples
forced to leave their traditional homes for camps leave behind them
unspeakable humanitarian and human rights law violations.
In spite of the oppression, the Indigenous peoples in the area have
organized themselves into 32 Autonomous Municipalities, basing their
authority on International Labour Organization Convention 169, signed by
Mexico, which recognizes the right of Indigenous communities to live
according to their traditional ways. This right is also a fundamental part
of the San Andres Accords, signed by the EZLN and the government of Mexico
on February 16, 1996. However, the government of Mexico began to undertake
military and other actions against the indigenous peoples and these
Autonomous Municipalitiies as soon as they were formed, and, since 1998,
has launched a major offensive against them. By the end of 1998, many had
been killed, thousands displaced, over 100 jailed and over 200
international observers expelled. For example, on April 11, 1998, the
Mexican authorities dismantled the Autonomous Municipality of Ricardo
Flores Magon. Human rights workers were expelled. A military encampment
and police checkpoint have been placed in the center of the community. The
village men fled to the mountains. In June 1998, another village was under
siege by the Mexican authorities. The villagers encircled the town with a
human barricade, subsequently overrun by charging soldiers. Twenty-one men
and one woman were arrested and held at Cerro Hueco prison, the last 8
until October.
Just two weeks ago (April 7, 1999), the Mexican authorities siezed
San Andres Sacamch'en, but the next day (April 8) 3000 Tzotzil Indians
successfully retook their town. We have just found out that on April 11,
Mexican authorities began attacks on camps of displaced Indians in Polho,
where more than 10,000 have sought shelter. The authorities cut the
electricity in Tila in the north. Military convoys have been seen rolling
into the area. At this time, we are not certain what will happen, but we
fear the worst.
It is imperative that the commission address the situation of the
Indigenous peoles of Mexico. Accordingly, we urge a resolution appointing
a Special Rapporteur on the overall situation of human rights in Mexico in
general, and the situation of the Indian communities in particular.
The Commission receives overwhelming evidence each year of the
serious violations of the rights of Indigenous peoples in other countries
as well; murders, rapes, displacements, seizures and contamination of
Indian lands due to petroleum exploitation and other operations for the
financial gain of the non-Indian perpetrators. Indigenous representatives
have been diligent in their investigation and presentation of these and
other atrocities befalling their people and have made many constructive
recommendations on how to best address these violations. We urge the
Commission to implement these suggestions, especially the recommendation
that the Commission appoint a Special Rapporteur for Indigenous peoples.
In solidarity with Indigenous organizations, we also urge the establishment
of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples at the highest level of the
United Nations system.