11 April 2014

• Again, on 10 April, Carmen Ruíz, a member of the APPJ suffers persecution

The Committee for the Integral Defense of Human Rights “Gobixha” (Código-DH) expresses its concerns regarding the continuing situation of harassment and intimidation against members of the Popular Assembly of the People of Juchitán (APPJ). Special concerns are directed at the physical integrity of the indigenous Zapotecan community activist Carmen Ruíz.

At midday on 10 April, Carmen Ruíz Martínez, human rights defender and activist for the protection of the land in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and member of the Popular Assembly of the People of Juchitán, became aware that she was being followed by two women dressed in a marine blue or black uniform with boots. The two women advanced upon Carmen and tried to grab her, but she was able to escape. At this point a taxi appeared with a man inside who helped the two uniformed women leave the scene. Carmen hurried away and asked for help to escape and to notify her family.

Carmen was able to recognize these two women as the same ones that tried to kidnap her in May 2013. These same women came looking for Carmen at her place of work last Friday 4 April. When Carmen saw them arriving in a white van, she was able to quickly leave.

At practically the same time, two other members of the APPJ received phone calls relating to the situation. The woman's voice on the phone told them: “We're closing in on Carmen. We already know that she is being accompanied by people...” We consider that this last sentence refers to the presence of members of Peace Brigades International (PBI) in Juchitán two days earlier when they accompanied Carmen to the market. This is very concerning as it suggests a permanent surveillance of Carmen.

The aforementioned happenings are not isolated events. They add up to a long list of acts of intimidation that farmers and fishermen of this area have suffered from people contracted by the companies building the wind park Bíi Hioxo on grounds identified as 'communal' by the local population.

Código-DH expresses its concern about the wave of violence that human rights defenders, communal activists and farmers of this area are experiencing. With legitimate reason, they oppose the construction of Bíi Hioxo and the fact that the construction began without prior consultation or the provision of adequate information, as is required according to the established standards of Article 6 of the ILO Convention 169. The wind park impacts upon their way of life which is linked to their identity and culture, and hence violates the rights recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We express our concern regarding the on-going 'consultation processes' that are being held with the consent of different government bodies. These meetings take place with the participation of people from organizations, businesses and local politicians, who may have their voices heard, however it is evident that these people do not have neither a connection with the land nor do they understand the impact on the daily lives of the people who are really affected.

For all of the above:

WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE: the three levels of government for the assaults that members of the APPJ suffer and the omission of their responsibilities – especially regarding Carmen Ruiz.

WE ASK for the unlimited respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and communities and a PEACEFUL RESOLUTION to the conflict taking place in Juchitán, with the inclusion of all actors.

We ask that the international community stays attentive to the events occurring in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

Please send your Urgent Actions to:

Enrique Peña Nieto,

President of Mexico, Tel: +52 55 27891100; Fax: (52.55) 5277.2376 enrique.penanieto(at)remove-this.presidencia.gob.mx

Miguel Angel Osorio Chong

Interior Minister, Tel. y Fax: (55) 5093 3400 Ext. 34200, secretario(at)remove-this.segob.gob.mx

Gabino Cue Monteagudo

Governor of the state of Oaxaca, Fax: +52 95 1501 8100, ext. 40068, gabinocue(at)remove-this.oaxaca.gob.mx, gobernador.gabino.cue(at)remove-this.gmail.com

Héctor Joaquín Carrillo Ruiz

Oaxaca's Attorney General, Fax: +52 951 501 6900 (dial 20635), procuradoroaxaca(at)remove-this.hotmail.com

Arturo Peimbert Calvo

Ombudsman of Oaxaca, Tel: 01 951 513 51 85; 01 951 513 51 91 EXT, 102 Y 103 correo(at)remove-this.derechoshumanosoaxaca.org

Javier Hernández Valencia

Representative in Mexico of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Tel: (52-55) 5061-6350, Fax: (52-55) 5061-6358, oacnudh(at)remove-this.ohchr.org

Please send copies of your Urgent Actions to:

Committee for the Integral Defense of Human Rights “Gobixha” (Código-DH), contacto(at)remove-this.codigodh.org