Forced Sterilization of Indigenous Mexicans "Investigated"
	for nytcamer@ursula; Sat, 12 Feb 2000 04:16:41 -0500


Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

Forced Sterilization of Indigenous Mexicans Under Investigation 
EFE - MEXICO, January 11, 2000

Investigation by the Mexican government into the forced sterilization of
Indians has sparked new controversy on such actions, repeatedly denounced
by non-government organizations.

Mexican Health Minister Jose Antonio Gonzalez Fernandez said Tuesday that
the government would "thoroughly" investigate complaints filed by four
Indians who live along the state of Guerrero's Costa Chica, who said that
they had been forcefully sterilized in medical centers in the region, one
of the poorest in Mexico.

Last week, the Guerrero Commission for the Defense of Human Rights
reported the alleged sterilization of four Indians, who were paid 150
dollars and given clothing, shoes and food in exchange for allowing
themselves to be sterilized.

According to the victims, members of the Health Ministry medical teams had
threatened to deprive them of government subsidies if they refused to
undergo vasectomies.

According to civilian groups, complaints on some 200 similar cases had
been filed in Guerrero in 1999, mostly by Indian women. 

(c) 2000 EFE
 
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