Mexico: PRI & Cardenista Thugs Attack Red Cross, Kidnap Judge Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source - PRENSA NUEVO AMANECER Fri, 28 May 1999 12:59:39 Originally published in Spanish by the Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Human Rights Center Translated by irlandesa ******************************************************* Press Bulletin May 25, 1999. ATTACKS BY PRI's AND CARDENISTAS AGAINST AUTHORITIES AND THE MEXICAN RED CROSS The "Fray Bartolome de Las Casas" Human Rights Center is alerting authorities and public opinion to the situation that is going on in Chenalho, which, if it continues, could once again produce tragic consequences such as those that took place in 1997. 1. On Friday, May 21 of the present year, Victorio Arias Perez, of Canolal, pointed out as one who carried out the Acteal massacre - and against whom an arrest warrant has been issued - was detained by the commander of the Pantelho Municipal Police. According to the information obtained, Victorio Arias was accompanied by other persons who had also been pointed out as having participated in the Acteal massacre. These other persons escaped while their companero was being detained. 2. When they found out about this detention, PRI and Cardenista militants - companeros of the detained man - armed themselves with sticks, ropes, machetes, rocks, shovels and picks and blocked the San Cristobal-Pantelho highway at the Chimix crossroads. They also kidnapped the municipal judge of Pantelho, whom they put in the Canolal jail. They further attacked a Mexican Red Cross vehicle, attempting to steal its radio and beating doctors Rafael Castellanos Rincon and Jorge Arturo Nuricumbo Mundo. 3. The noted PRI's and Cardenistas have been harassing people on the outskirts of the area, demanding cooperation and threatening those who refuse to deliver it. Because of this, two representatives of Las Abejas had to abandon their houses, along with their families, in Yaxechemel, feeling it necessary to spend the night in the mountain. One more time we can verify that, as long as paramilitary groups exist, such as those acting in Pantelho, accustomed to imposing themselves by force and to enjoying immunity, thanks to the protection of some officials, peace will not be possible, nor will the state of law prevail. In reponse, we are supporting, and we are asking for support, for the authorities who are carrying out their duties, such as the judge and the police commander in Pantelho. We are asking for protection for the members of Las Abejas and for all the citizens who, such as the Red Cross doctors, are victims of arbitrary acts by those groups such as the one acting in Chenalho. *** Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Human Rights Center Francisco Leon 5 Barrio de Santa Lucia San Cristobal de las Casas Chiapas, C.P. 29250 Mexico Telephone: (967) 8 35 48 Fax: (967) 8 35 51 Email: cdhbcasas@laneta.apc.org http://www.laneta.apc.org/cdhbcasas/ ******************************************************* NUEVO AMANECER PRESS-PRENSA NUEVO AMANECER-N.A.P. To know us visit our web page in Spanish in Mexico at: http://www.nap.cuhm.mx/nap0.htm E-mail: A Press in support of the work in defense of Human Rights ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytcamer-05.28.99-23:57:50-17567