|
By: ©Erik Guzowski
(Click on photos to see larger versions)
 Oaxaca, Mexico -- Thirty
Zapotec Indian women from the
village of Loxicha have been protesting for the release of 104
men for since November 1997. The Mexican men were accused of
being members of the EPR (Ejercito Popular
Revolucionario or People's Revolutionary Army) in 1997 by
the Oaxacan Government. Jose
Murat, the newly inaugurated governor, has decided to reopen
the case of the 104 imprisoned men.
 On Sept. 25, 1997 the men from the Indian community
rallied in front of the Governor's
Palace to obtain basic necessities for their town. Spokesperson,
Genoveua Garcia, for the Loxicha women explained, "They
were demanding electricity, water, medicine and other basic necessities
for our village.¨
 Loxicha is part of the 129 out of 570 municipalities
in Oaxaca (more than 60 percent
of the population) that are without toilets and drainage. In
93 of the municipalities, less than half of the residents have
electricity.
The former governor's administration accused
the men of trying to overthrow the government because some of
them were wearing ski masks that resembled members of the EPR, said Carlos Velasco, public relations
coordinator for Gov. Murat. "After 50 years we are putting
in a road to Loxicha,¨ said Velasco.
 Garcia claims that some of the men in jail are being
tortured.
"They tell us that the police use electric shock, hit them
and don't
give them food.¨
Velasco said that he didn't think this was
true because, "Mexico has adopted a human rights referendum
and torture has decreased a lot." The Loxicha women have
asked journalists to interview their husbands but Velasco explained
that the media is not allowed to see prisoners because it is
against Mexican law.
 Garcia explained that the women have not gone back
to their town in almost two years because they feel it is dangerous.
"Since 1996 more than 20 people have been assassinated by
the government," she said.
Valesco replied that he had no information
of the alleged assassinations. "The governor is preoccupied
with human rights and he won't permit shootings."
 Murat wants to be more personal with the people and
is opening up dialogue with the EPR
Valesco stated. The Indigenous women and their children have
spent 12 hours a day for six days a week outside the Palace
since their husbands were incarcerated. Every morning they hang
pictures of their husbands on a clothes line in front of the
palace while others hang their laundry on a park's fence. They
sell plastic garment bags that their husbands make in jail and
each make approximately $2.75 a day. The women cook three meals,
make crafts and bathe their children all under the governor's
palace and intend to do so until all prisoners are set free.
 The governor's office said that it wants to clear
this issue up as soon as possible. "We don't know when it
will be solved because we don't want to make make any mistakes
with those who may be innocent,¨ said Valesco.
|
