To Whom It May Concern,

A day before the terrible events that took place on 27th April near the community of San Juan Copala, Oaxaca, we received a communique from the groups and individuals who were going to participate in the international aid caravan travelling in convoy towards that community.

The Caravan participants informed us of the daily state of terror in which the residents of this autonomous community have been living, and their urgent need of support through the presence of members of civil society, both Mexicans and internationals.

With deep sorrow we learn of the murders of Tyri Antero Jaakkola, who as an international human rights observer answered the call of the caravan, and of Beatriz Alberta Cariño Trujillo, director of CACTUS (Oaxacan organisation, the Centre for Community Support Working Together ) and member of the Southeast Mexican Indigenous Community Radio Network. We demand that the truth be made known concerning the circumstances of their deaths and that those guilty of this crime be brought to justice. Further we demand the immediate safe return of all those persons who were on the caravan and currently are still missing.

We hold the Mexican state and the illegal government of Ulises Ruiz responsible for these heinous acts. We demand that he cease his lies, that he stop claiming that this was a confrontation between two different groups, when in fact it is common knowledge that this was an operation by paramilitary groups who function under the patronage and protection of his government.

We demand the lifting of the blockade of the autonomous municipality of San Juan Copala, and an end to the attacks against this community.

Zapatista Solidarity Network in UK
(  http://ukzapatistas.wordpress.com/ )
Groups and individuals from
Bradford,
Bristol,
Dorset,
Edinburgh,
Glasgow,
Leeds,
London,
Manchester,
Newcastle,
Sheffield
and Stirling.



For further information see:  http://www.edinchiapas.org.uk/node/277