Forced displacement of families, indigenous tojolabales, from the community Primero de Agosto
Centro de Derechos Humanos
Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, A.C.
Urgent Action No. 01
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México
February 23, 2015
Forced displacement of families, indigenous tojolabales, from the community Primero de Agosto
This Center for Human Rights received reliable documentary information about the forced displacement of 57 indigenous tojolabales, 12 of which are minors, one newborn, 20 women and 25 men residents of Primero de Agosto, action perpetrated by members of the Historic Independent Central of Agricultural Workers and Peasants (CIOAC-H), who are protected in the region by the municipal government of Las Margaritas.
According to reports, today at 8:00am, 50 members of the CIOAC-H, including Reynaldo Lopez Perez, Comisariado Ejidal, Antonio Mendez Perez, Agente Auxilar; and other authorities of the Ejido Miguel Hidalgo, municipality of Las Margaritas, entered the community of Primero de Agosto, carrying high-powered weapons, surrounding the houses of the villagers, which resulted in the forced displacement of residents who fled for the nearest road to their community where they are currently in serious conditions for women and children, as they have no shelter, food, or security against possible aggressions by people from the ejido Miguel Hidalgo. Because of this, the Center for Human Rights demands in an URGENT manner from the federal and state governments:
First: The necessary measures are taken to ensure the human rights of the displaced individuals, in accordance with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and other international treaties signed and ratified by the Mexican State.
Second: The investigation and punishment of those responsible for the displacement and damage to property and belongings of the residents of the community. As well as the omission incurred by municipal and state authorities, who have not given adequate and effective attention to this matter.
Third: Provide integral attention considering the guiding principles of internal displacement in the areas of humanitarian aid and reparations and compensation to indemnify private rights and safe reintegration or resettlement of the displaced families.
Background History:
On January 22, 2015, Governor Manuel Velasco Coello, as well as various authorities were alerted on accusations in writing of an impending displacement made by authorities of the Ejido Miguel Hidalgo against settlers Primero de Agosto, municipality of Las Margaritas, where they were literally given a deadline to leave the land.
After several meetings of dialogue, the government of Chiapas reported in writing, on January 28, 2015, through the official document SG.SSORF/000123.004/131/017/15, signed by Lic. Jesus Esquinca Meza, Undersecretary of the Government Region XV, Meseta Comiteca Tojolabal, which said "It seems exceeded in order to find a solution to the conflict, given the complexity of the case" and also stated that "the issue was raised to the coordination of Government Undersecretaries for attention".
Since December 17, 2014, the Center for Human Rights issued an Urgent Action of threats of displacement against residents of Primero de Agosto , which has already been perpetrated by members of the CIOAC-H.
On August 1, 2013, 17 families, indigenous tojolabales, in need of work and access to land, took possession of a wasteland called “predio el Roble” which was not being worked or occupied. The families of Primero de Agosto have been assaulted and threatened by ejidatarios of the Ejido Miguel Hidalgo since they took possession of the land.
We ask the national and international civil society to join in solidarity by disseminating the allegations, signing and sending this urgent action to the authorities listed here. Thank you in solidarity, please send appeals to:
Lic. Enrique Peña Nieto
Presidente de la República
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos
Casa Miguel Alemán
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, México DF
Tel: (52.55) 2789.1100 Fax: (52.55) 5277.2376
Lic. Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong
Secretario de Gobernación
Bucareli 99, 1er. Piso, Col. Juárez,
Del. Cuauhtémoc, C.P. 06600 México D.F.
Fax: (52 55) 50933414;
Correo: secretario@segob.gob.mx
Lic. Jesús Murillo Karam
Procuraduría General de la República
Av. Paseo de la Reforma #211-213 Col. Cuauhtémoc, Deleg. Cuauhtémoc
Distrito Federal CP. 06500,
Teléfono: 5346-0000 ext. 0108 Fax: 5346-0000 ext. 0908
Lic. Raul Plascencia Villanueva
Presidente de la Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos
Periférico Sur 3469, Col. San jerónimo Lidice,
Delegación Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, México D.F.
Teléfonos: (55) 56 81 81 25 y (55) 54 90 74 00
Lada sin costo 01800 715 2000
E-mail: correo@cndh.org.mx
Lic. Manuel Velasco Coello
Gobernador Constitucional del Estado de Chiapas
Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Chiapas, 1er Piso
Av. Central y Primera Oriente, Colonia Centro, C.P. 29009
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México
Fax: +52 961 61 88088 – + 52 961 6188056; Extensión 21120. 21122;
Correo: secparticular@chiapas.gob.mx
Lic. Oscar Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar
Secretario General de Gobierno del Estado de Chiapas
Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Chiapas, 2do Piso
Av. Central y Primera Oriente, Colonia Centro, C.P. 29009
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México
Conmutador: + 52 (961) 61 2-90-47, 61 8-74-60; Extensión: 20003;
Correo: secretario@secgobierno.chiapas.gob.mx
Lic. Raciel López Salazar
Procuraduría General de Justicia de Chiapas
Libramiento Norte Y Rosa Del Oriente, No. 2010, Col. El Bosque
C.P. 29049 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas
Conmutador: 01 (961) 6-17-23-00. Teléfono: + 52 (961) 61 6-53-74, 61 6-53-76, 61 6-57-24.
Correo: raciel.lopez@pgje.chiapas.gob.mx
Lic. Manuel de Jesús Culebro Gordillo
Presidente Municipal de Las Margaritas
Domicilio Conocido S/N,
Teléfono fax: (01 963) 63 601 99, (01 963) 63 600 68
Send copy to:
Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, A.C.
Calle Brasil 14, Barrio Méxicanos, CP: 29240 San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México
Tel: 967 6787395, 967 6787396, Fax: 967 6783548
Correo: accionesurgentes@frayba.org.mx
