emma_goldman
30th August 2006, 22:14
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International
AI Index: AMR 41/042/2006 25 August 2006
Mexico: Federal government must address Oaxacas crisis
Amnesty International today urged Mexicos federal authorities to
ensure authorities in Oaxaca prevent further violence in the state and
investigate human rights violations committed by local militias reportedly
backed by the security forces.
Protests calling for the resignation of Oaxacas governor Ulises Ruz
Ortz escalated in June 2006. Since 10 August, two people have been
killed and many more injured. At least seven people are currently detained
and seven have reported being tortured or otherwise ill treated.
Information received by Amnesty International shows strong evidence of
human rights violations committed by armed militias operating in Oaxaca
in conjunction with the states security forces.
On 22 August, Lorenzo San Pablo, one of the protesters picketing a
radio station, was shot in the back by unidentified individuals who were,
according to witnesses, accompanying a police convoy. He died a few
hours later.
On 10 August, Ramiro Aragn Prez, a biologist, was detained together
with two other activists and beaten by unidentified individuals
travelling in vehicles without number plates. The three later reported they
were taken to a secret location where they were tortured and handed over
to the Office of the Attorney General in Oaxaca. Ramiro is still
detained, facing the risk of torture.
Illegal militias in Oaxaca are participating in the security forces'
dirty work. This needs to be urgently investigated, militias disarmed
and disbanded and those responsible for human rights abuses, brought to
justice, said Javier Zuiga, Amnesty Internationals Americas
Programme Director.
Concrete actions must be urgently taken both to investigate recent
abuses against demonstrators and to prevent more incidents from taking
place. The federal government has the responsibility of ensuring
authorities in Oaxaca act within the law, said Javier Zuiga.
Amnesty International recognized the authorities' duty to ensure the
safety and security of all in Oaxaca but highlighted that this must be
done in accordance with international human rights legislation in order
to ensure that people are able to exercise peacefully their rights to
freedom of assembly and expression. Regrettably, the Oaxaca authorities
have ignored repeated appeals to protect these rights.
The current crisis in Oaxaca is the result of systematic failures and
unwillingness to deal with the states underlying problems and to
protect peoples most basic human rights.
All AI documents in Mexico:
http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maae6D8absUNBbHtN7fb/
International
AI Index: AMR 41/042/2006 25 August 2006
Mexico: Federal government must address Oaxacas crisis
Amnesty International today urged Mexicos federal authorities to
ensure authorities in Oaxaca prevent further violence in the state and
investigate human rights violations committed by local militias reportedly
backed by the security forces.
Protests calling for the resignation of Oaxacas governor Ulises Ruz
Ortz escalated in June 2006. Since 10 August, two people have been
killed and many more injured. At least seven people are currently detained
and seven have reported being tortured or otherwise ill treated.
Information received by Amnesty International shows strong evidence of
human rights violations committed by armed militias operating in Oaxaca
in conjunction with the states security forces.
On 22 August, Lorenzo San Pablo, one of the protesters picketing a
radio station, was shot in the back by unidentified individuals who were,
according to witnesses, accompanying a police convoy. He died a few
hours later.
On 10 August, Ramiro Aragn Prez, a biologist, was detained together
with two other activists and beaten by unidentified individuals
travelling in vehicles without number plates. The three later reported they
were taken to a secret location where they were tortured and handed over
to the Office of the Attorney General in Oaxaca. Ramiro is still
detained, facing the risk of torture.
Illegal militias in Oaxaca are participating in the security forces'
dirty work. This needs to be urgently investigated, militias disarmed
and disbanded and those responsible for human rights abuses, brought to
justice, said Javier Zuiga, Amnesty Internationals Americas
Programme Director.
Concrete actions must be urgently taken both to investigate recent
abuses against demonstrators and to prevent more incidents from taking
place. The federal government has the responsibility of ensuring
authorities in Oaxaca act within the law, said Javier Zuiga.
Amnesty International recognized the authorities' duty to ensure the
safety and security of all in Oaxaca but highlighted that this must be
done in accordance with international human rights legislation in order
to ensure that people are able to exercise peacefully their rights to
freedom of assembly and expression. Regrettably, the Oaxaca authorities
have ignored repeated appeals to protect these rights.
The current crisis in Oaxaca is the result of systematic failures and
unwillingness to deal with the states underlying problems and to
protect peoples most basic human rights.
All AI documents in Mexico:
http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maae6D8absUNBbHtN7fb/