Wednesday, October 18, 2006

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

6 comments:

Rancho Perros Bravos said...

Yes, may violence not be the result here, as it should not be anywhere.

troutsky said...

Lets hope wisdom and calm prevail.Lets also hope the masses of Mexico rally behind the strikers and their demands

LeftyHenry said...

Now the major problem is the lack of tourism which is a major income
to Oaxaca.

It's good to see that the workers are standing up for their rights in a country which has one of the greatest inequalities of wealth in the world and where the government regime is so oppressive.

Anonymous said...

See about the 4 people being killed on the weekend? Army invaded the city.

LeftyHenry said...

I guess it's official now. The cops took the town center but apparently most of the working class neighborhoods are still under control of the APPO and the APPO said they will continue the fight and take back the town center.

Frank Partisan said...

I think the stage is being set, for more violence from the state. All the talk about how the town square is a peaceful, tourist center, littered by the demonstrators.