Violations of Due Process and Legal Security (Mexico) Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit ORIGINAL PUBLISHED BY FRAY BARTOLOME HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER, CHIAPAS,MX. TRANSLATION BY: ROBERT HERR FOR NUEVO AMANECER PRESS ************************************************************************** HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER FRAY BARTOLOME DE LAS CASAS, A.C. SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, CHIAPAS APRIL 20, 1999 PRESS RELEASE Violations of Due Process and Legal Security On April 16th, this Human Rights Center received a denunciation regarding the arbitrary detention of Mr. Francisco Hernandez Cruz at a checkpoint patrolled by the Mexican Army, Public Security police, Judicial police as well as other institutions and located on the highway between Monte Libano and Ocosingo. The following day representatives of the community of San Rafael, located next to this same highway, denounced an attempt to install a Base of Mixed Operations in their community, and repeated their protest of the previous day's events at this checkpoint. The police threw rocks at community members, gathered to protest the conduct of the security forces. One rock struck a minor, Juan Alvarez Lorenzo, causing serious injuries to his right eye and his nose. The minor was taken to the Comitan Hospital where he remains to this day. The doctor who provided treatment diagnosed first grade Craneoencephalic Trauma, among other injuries. On April 17, 1999 two people, identifying themselves as members of the Mexican Army, appeared at the hospital where the minor, his parents and other family members are located. The soldiers offered economic assistance, military hospitalization and quality medical care. However, never did they admit the army's responsibility for the injuries. The family members refused to accept their offer. On April 19, 1999 at 3:00 PM, Mr. Antonio Mendoza Jimenez and Mr. Jose Antonio Hernandez Clara, witnesses to the events, accompanied by Lic. Jazmin Guadalupe Ledesma Carmona, attorney from the Human Rights Center "Fray Bartolome de las Casas," went to the federal Public Ministry in Ocosingo to present a denouncement for the events that occurred. The authorities' answer was that the official was not in the office and that they had already detained one person. The authorities requested that they return at 6:00 PM. When they returned at this time, their denouncement was still not accepted, and they were given inconsistent explanations. On April 20 this Human Rights Center complained to the CNDH regarding the treatment they received from the Public Ministry. This same day, Lic. Ledesma Carmona returned to present the denouncement in Ocosingo, this time succeeding in delivering it. She also presented it to an agent of the military Public Ministry of the 39th military zone. This Human Rights Center wishes to express its concern regarding the negligence of the justice department authorities, since their actions represent violations of due process, judicial protection and legal safety. For this reason we demand the PGR and the General Office of Military Justice thoroughly investigate the events that occurred, adhering strictly to law, avoiding bias and allowing the victims complete access to documentary evidence. *** Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Bartolome de las Casas Francisco Leon 5 Barrio de Santa Lucia San Cristobal de las Casas Chiapas C.P. 29250 Mexico Tel.: (967) 8 35 48 Fax: (967) 8 35 51 Email: cdhbcasas@laneta.apc.org http://www.laneta.apc.org/cdhbcasas/ ================================================================= 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-04.26.99-13:32:13-5879