Mexican Commission Denounces Oaxaca Deaths

Mexico, Dec 30 (Prensa Latina) The International Commission for Human Rights Observation denounced the absence of investigation of 17 deaths during seven months of clashes in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Ignacio Garcia, member of the working group, received by the leadership of APPO on December 26, assured that in addition to the arbitrary arrests, ill treatment and violations of individual guarantees, no responsibility has been identified for the deaths.

During eight days of work in Oaxaca the Commission has interviewed more than 70 persons, including state authorities, social leaders and members of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO) and religious leaders, and has visited three prisons.

The official indicated that the homicides remain unpunished, the majority charged to paramilitary groups in favor of the government of Ulises Ruiz, which suggests the deaths are anonymous.

Garcia, who works with other activists of human rights in nine countries, stressed that the situation in Oaxaca is much deeper and more delicate.

The Commission also visited the community of San Francisco Cajones in Sierra Juarez where they talked of the situation of students and teachers in this population affected by the conflict that began on May 22 with labor protests of the teaching staff.

In the next few days the activists will meet with several civil associations such as Padres de Familia, la Barra Mexicana del Colegio de Abogados de Oaxaca and the Comisión para la Reforma del Estado.