2nd Press Report

International Civilian Commitee for the Observation of Human Rights (ICCOHR)

This committee was founded in febuary 1998 because of the international public outrage caused by the Acteal massacre. In november 1999 a second committee was organized. This third visit, just like the anterior, has the objective of continuing the observation of human rights mainly in the State of Chiapas.

This ICCOHR began it’s work on the 18th of Febuary 2002 in the Federal District (F.D.), where interviews were held with the following persons, institutions and organizations of the civilian society : the Office of Foreign Affairs, the PGR, the CNDH, the State Committee of Human Rights of the Federal District, the authorized represenattive of justice of the F.D., the General Federal State Office, the COCOPA, the comissionary for dialogue in Chiapas : Luis H. Alvarez, the Presidential Office of Indigenous Matters, the special attorney in charge of the case of Digna Ochoa, the emerit bishop Samuel Ruiz, ex-members of the CONAI, SERAPAZ, the Civilian Mission for Peace, the Human Rights Institute of Guerrero, the network : All Rights for All, the FZLN, Mr. Armando Bartra, Mr. Andrés Barreda, the association of Parents of Mexican Vanished, Mrs. Rosario Ibarra of the committee Eureka, the Center of Human Rights Miguel Augustín Pro, representants of Las Loxichas of the State of Oaxaca, the Coordination Committee for Defending Human Rights of Costa Chica de Guerrero and the Polytechnical Collective Palicante. Further interviews were held with the Cerezo brothers, who are currently imprisioned in Almoloya de Juarez.

Today, 104 observers coming from 14 countries began their program of activities in Chiapas. These activities will take place between the 21st and 27th of febuary. During this period we will visit more than 50 indigenous communities in : the Zonas Norte, Ocosingo, Selva Lacandona, Altamirano and the southern border. At the same time, we will interview more than 20 NGOs, social organizations, humanitarian organizations and persons of the civilian society. Further, we will open up a permanent office at calle Belisario 9, in order to have the chance of receiving charges against human rights violations. We will also visit penintenciaries in Cerro Hueco, San Cristóbal, Villa Hermosa and Macuspana. On the 26th and the 27th we will dedicate our time to interviwe the Gouvernor of Chiapas, the General State Secretary, the Authorized Representative of Justice, the Authorized Representative of Agriculture, the State Commission of Human Rights, the SEDESO, the SEMARNAT, the SEPI, the INI, the Red Cross International and the bishop Felipe Arizmendi. It is a pity that we could not obtain an interview, with Desarrollo, Paz y Justicia and General Commandor of the VII Military Region.

The International Civil Committee for the Observation of Human Rights has the support of more than 400 organizations, institutions and personalities such as representants of the European Parliament. For this reason the Committee is obligated to present the results of its work to its supporters. The first site of presentation will be a report to the Commission of Human Rights of the UN, whose sessions will begin in Geneva, in march. Our conclusions and recommendations will also be presented to the European and Centroamerican Parliaments.

As in 1998 and 1999, all interlocutors of the Committee in Chiapas will receive a copy of the information sheet.

San Cristóbal de las Casas,

21st of february, 2002