Mexico: Demonstration sponsored by Derechos Humanos in April 2000 in Mexico City, and their connection with the native people of Chiapas
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 August 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX39341.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: Demonstration sponsored by Derechos Humanos in April 2000 in Mexico City, and their connection with the native people of Chiapas, 16 August 2002, MEX39341.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dcb11.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a declaration signed by a coalition of 180 human rights organizations at the General Assembly for the Organization of American States in 1997, there were approximately seven groups that carried the name "Derechos Humanos" and operated in Mexico City (Derechos Human Rights 2 June 1997). These groups are (in no specific order): 1) Comision de Derechos Humanos de la Asamblea de Barrios, 2) Centro de Derechos Humanos "Miguel Agustin Pro" (PRODH), 3) Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promocion de los Derechos Humanos, 4) Comite de Derechos Humanos Ajusco, 5) Comite de Derechos Humanos Pueblo Nuevo, 6) Taller Universitario de Derechos Humanos (TUDH), 7) Centro de Derechos Humanos "Fray Francisoco de Vitoria O.P." (ibid.).
Regarding a demonstration in April 2000, El Universal reported a student march on 12 April 2000. Organized by the General Strike Council (Consejo General de Huelga, CGH), approximately 2,000 students from various faculties and schools of UNAM (Universidad Autonoma de Mexico) marched to demand the liberation of students arrested and jailed during the UNAM strike (El Universal 12 Apr. 2000). For information about the UNAM strike please consult MEX37114.E of 19 June 2001. No information on an April 2000 demonstration connected with the native people of Chiapas could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
A representative of the Mexico Solidarity Network (MSN) stated in correspondence that he "cannot specifically remember anything big happening in April 2000 around Chiapas. [We] do know that the UNAM strike was broken in Feb. 2000 and a lot of repression against young people and students happened around that time. But nothing life threatening" (8 Aug. 2002).
Human rights concerns for the indigenous communities in Chiapas are "...at the centre of domestic and international attention" (AI 2000). The MSN reprsentative pointed out that "[e]very self-respecting grassroots organization in Mexico is involved in 'helping the people of Chiapas'..." (8 Aug. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International (AI). 2000. Annual Report 2000.
[Accessed 13 Aug. 2002]
Derechos Human Rights. 2 June 1997. "Pronunciamiento de 180 organismos de
Derechos Humanos ante la Asamblea General de la O.E.A. en Lima." [Mexico]. 12 April 2000. Javier Ceron. "Marcha el CGH al Reclusorio
Norte." Mexico Solidarity Network (MSN), Chicago, Illinois. 8 August 2002. Correspondence
from representative.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases.
World News Connection.
Internet sites:
La Jornada [Mexico City].
Search engines:
Alta Vista.
Google.