Statement of Concern

To the Federal Government of Mexico,

CAJA (Community Action for Justice in the Americas), a Latin American solidarity group from Missoula, Montana, U.S.A., wishes to publicly express its concern about indications coming from Mexico that a violent intervention will take place in the political conflict that is occurring in the state of Oaxaca. We strongly urge that a path of nonviolence through dialogue and restraint be sought.

We have been informed of the possibility of an armed-intervention in Oaxaca against the striking teachers and the APPO (Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca). We fear that if these forces were to enter Oaxaca to end the conflict that they will only escalate violence and result in further tragedy. In addition, there is a media campaign being carried out by the Oaxacan state government on national TV, which intends to criminalize the social movement and justify its call for the entry of federal forces. We denounce the media’s efforts and we maintain that a violent response is not the solution to this conflict.

Furthermore, we believe that a violent response to the conflict represents a serious violation of international accords on the defense of human rights and a departure from the democratic process that Mexican society has struggled to construct. A violent response will only serve to promote the systematic violation of human rights in Oaxaca. Various other national and international institutions have also expressed their concern sending urgent actions and recommendations that your government show restraint.

Therefore, we strongly reject any use of violence as a resolution to this conflict. It is in the hands of the Federal Government of Mexico to respond to the people of Oaxaca, and the APPO—to whom we give our full support—through dialogue and a complete respect for human rights.

Sincerely,

Community Action for Justice in the Americas