The state and federal officials responsible for investigating the murder of Brad Will were strongly denounced by the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) which declared that the federal and state attorneys general have violated ‘human rights, legality, judicial security and access to justice.’

Soberanes of the CNDH has also given the AGs a very short time frame to find and punish those who botched the investigation immediately after the murder and thereafter.

Very strong stuff. Guess we’ll find out who prevails.

You can see the document of CNDH here: http://www.cndh.org.mx/recomen/recomen.asp

The document details many of the glaring omissions and irregularities by the Mexican government and the (Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR) in the case of Brad Will’s murder. The CNDH finds the theory peddled by Lizbet Cana (Oaxacan State Prosecutor) and by the federal prosecutor that Brad was killed by APPO people standing near him absurd.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-carlsen/mexican-torture-training_b_111784.html

Mexican Torture Training Raises Questions About U.S. Military/Police Aid
by Laura Carlsen published at the Huffington Post.

Excellent piece! Carlsen raises troubling questions on the role of human rights organizations in supporting funds for institutions which have and continue to abuse Mexican and Latin American people with impunity!

She writes: “Some Washington human rights groups have claimed that Plan Mexico will help Mexico reform and eliminate illegal practices such as torture. But the aid package funds the same forces that commit those atrocities with virtual impunity.”

Add your comments at Huffington Post to get that important discussion continued! Help provide attention to the campaign we’ve been working on:

Demanding accountability for Brad Will’s murder and the murder of many other innocent people by the Mexican security forces;

Exposing u.s.g. support for right-wing human rights abusing governments and institutions in Mexico and El Salvador;

Amplifying how popular movements for human rights and against corruption are at risk from the Bush/Leahy Merida Initiative;

Exposing the role of some d.c.-based ‘human rights’ organizations in legitimizing the ‘drug war’ as a pretext for increasing militarization under Merida!

From article: “Two videos of a torture-training session with the police force of León, Guanajuato shocked the Mexican public last week and raised serious questions about human rights under the Calderon offensive against organized crime. For readers with strong stomachs, the videos can be found here.” (link at Huffington Post).

Denouncing the appointments of members of El Yunque, an ultra-right anti-semitic movement, to the highest levels of the Mexican government, Friends of Brad Will has told key Democratic Party leaders to reject the Bush military aid package called the Merida Initiative. Friends of Brad Will is a non-government organization advocating for accountability for the murder of U.S. journalist Brad Will, who was killed by Mexican government paramilitaries in October, 2006.
(more…)

UN press freedom prize goes to crusading Mexican journalist This is especially relevant for two reasons: 1) they’re killing radio announcers this week, 2) Puebla is very similar to Oaxaca in having a corrupt PRI governor protected by Calderon, and for the same reason: needing PRI votes in congress. ND

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 07:51:00 04/10/2008
PARIS – Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro will be given the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize for her work exposing political corruption and organized crime, the UN cultural body said Wednesday.

“Through investigative journalism, she uncovered the involvement of businessmen, politicians and drug traffickers in prostitution and child pornography” in Mexico, said UNESCO in a statement announcing the award. (more…)

There was much interesting discussion, sharing of perspectives and strategy.

We broke out into working groups and reported back to the whole.

Some participants: group picture.

see also Human Rights Watch’s report.

Original article.
Mexico Human Rights Agency Called Ineffective

By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
Published: February 14, 2008, New York Times

MEXICO CITY — There is a common saying in Mexico about police investigations and government inquiries that goes “no pasa nada,” or “nothing happens.”

Indeed, so seldom are officials, soldiers and business leaders held responsible for their actions in court that one often also hears Mexicans decrying their “culture of impunity.” Investigations often start with great fanfare only to die a quiet death. (more…)

Delegation to Oaxaca! March 1-9, 2008

A State of Crisis- The Roots of Migration in Oaxaca

Last day to apply: January 31!

Last year, Oaxaca, Mexico made international headlines as a teachers’ demonstration, attacked by police, turned into a popular uprising. The world watched as organized Oaxacas clashed with police amidst barricades in attempt to control the city. Six months of fighting left 23 dead. What drove the people of Oaxaca to such desperate measures?

Each year, over 150,000 Oaxacans leave their homes, families, and communities to head north towards an indefinite future. Many of them attempt to cross a deadly desert and evade migration authorities to live as illegal immigrants in the US. What drives the people of Oaxaca to such desperate measures?

What are the roots of this dual crisis in Oaxaca?
Go to Oaxaca and find out for yourself!

To sign up or get more info, please contact:

Ben Beachy Serafina Youngdahl
202-403-1752 484-678-9613
wfpma@witnessforpeace.org serafina3333@yahoo.com

Cost: The price of the 8-day delegation is $870. The delegation fee covers all set-up, meals, lodging, interpretation, transportation, reading materials, and other costs within Mexico. Delegates are responsible for covering their own airfare to and from Oaxaca. Fundraising assistance can be provided.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2008
Reservations are first come, first serve, so don’t delay!

Witness for Peace is:
a politically independent, grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to support peace, justice, and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate practices that contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. www.witnessforpeace.org

You’ll have the chance to:

Stay with host families in an indigenous community where nearly everyone has migrated to the US at some point. Hear them explain why they go and how it impacts their community.

Speak with the teachers’ unions and organizations at the heart of last year’s popular uprising.

Visit activists who recently took over their local government to block water privatization.

Hear experts suggest hopeful paths towards resolution of the current migration crisis.

Discuss how to best act in solidarity with the people of Oaxaca and plan collective actions.

Enjoy succulent quesadillas, mole, chocolate, and other culinary delights. Oaxaca probably offers the highest concentration of tasty food in the world.

This email was sent to wfpma@witnessforpeace.org, by wfpma@witnessforpeace.org

Witness for Peace Mid-Atlantic | 1315 Harvard Street NW | Washington | DC | 20009

Nuova finestra
Stampa tutto
Link sponsorizzati (commenti)

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kinshipfellows.org

Oaxaca
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Sustainable Funds
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Here’s a powerpoint presentation which Witness for Peace and EDUCA (Servicios para una Educación Alternativa, A.C.) have been using. Their event/tour just came to nyc and is now in upstate ny, moving to pennsylvania, maryland, delaware, d.c. and beyond.

Download the powerpoint presentation (7.4 MB)

Please join the NYC Oaxaca Solidarity Network / Unamonos a la Red de NYC en Solidaridad con Oaxaca

4:30pm at Consulate General of Mexico
27 E. 39th Street between Park & Madison
5:30 PM we will march to Rockefeller Center

6pm Rally at Rockefeller Center
W. 50th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Our Demands are
for the living reappearance of the disappeared,
for the freedom of the detained,
for the exit of the governor Ulises Ruiz and the federal forces from Oaxaca,
for the punishment of those guilty of torture, rape and murder,
for liberty, democracy, and justice for the people of Oaxaca.

For more info in English and Spanish
Elenemigocomun.net
friendsofbradwill.org

- - - - - - - - - - -

Unamonos a la Red de NYC en Solidaridad con Oaxaca
VIERNES 22 DE DICIEMBRE
Dia Internacional en Solidaridad con la lucha popular en Oaxaca, Mexico

4:30pm Consulado General de Mexico
27 E. 39th Street entre Park y Madison

5:30PM marcha hacia el Rockefeller Center a las 6PM
45 Rockefeller Plaza
W. 50th Street entre 5th & 6th Avenues

En contra de la represion contra la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO)
Libertad de todos los presos politicos
Fuera la Policia Federal Preventiva de Oaxaca
Por la inmediata salida del Gobernador Ulises Ruiz

Para mas info en inglish y espanol
Elenemigocomun.net
friendsofbradwill.org

IN THESE MINUTES- TRUNCATED IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLICATION:
1) Next General Meeting
2) Recap — Key Decisions
3) Mtg Agenda
******************

1) SAVE THE DATE!
Next NYC Oaxaca Solidarity Network General Meeting
Sunday, January 7th, 6pm – 8:pm
St. Marks Church, 10th St and 2nd Ave

*********

2) DEC 14 MTG — KEY DECISIONS RECAP

___We will organize NYC actions on December 22, in response to the
Zapatista call for global solidarity in support of Oaxaca that day.

December 22
4:30pm — Mexican Consulate, Rally then March to Rockefeller Plaza
27 E. 39th St btw Park and Avenue of the Americas

6:00pm — Rockefeller Plaza, Rally and Public Outreach/Education
W. 50th btw 5th and 6th Aves

___We’ll have a Dec 22nd Action Planning Meeting and Art/Props Making on
Saturday, December 16th (tomorrow)

2:00-3:00pm Action Planning Meeting
3:00-7:00pm Arts/Prop Making

Both at The Change You Want To See Gallery
84 Havemeyer St at Metropolitan Ave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

(more…)