The Zapatistas – risking their lives for democracy and justice

In 1994, after 500 years of oppression, the indigenous peoples of Chiapas in south-east Mexico rose up against their landlords and the government. Their demands were basic – work, land, housing, food, health, education, autonomy, freedom, democracy, justice and peace – but the government answered with terror. Since the start of the Zapatista uprising, right-wing paramilitaries have carried out repeated massacres of civilians, but hardly anyone has been prosecuted. However, several innocent Zapatista supporters remain in prison. As a result of the threat posed against them, the Zapatistas have asked for international support in the form of human rights observers. The Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group aims to serve as a link between the autonomous Zapatista communities and people in Edinburgh wanting to go to Chiapas as human rights observers.

Only recently, Indymedia reported that the people of Tlalnepantla, a non-zapatista community near Mexico City, clashed with riot police after having declared themselves autonomous, and Zapatista villages in the Montes Azules region of Chiapas have been attacked by police and the federal army. Incidents proving that practical solidarity with oppositional groups in Mexico is still badly needed.

Despite corrupt government officials, the threat of paramilitaries and attempts to bribe people to leave the movement, the Zapatistas remain devoted to their ideals. Their determination to create a grassroots democracy, gender equality and an autonomous education and health system is an inspiring example of how people can overthrow their exploiters and start to run things for the benefit of all.

Mut Vitz and Kiptik – in solidarity with the Zapatistas

The Mut Vitz coffee producers’ co-operative is one of many great initiatives born out of the Zapatista rebellion. The Mut Vitz farmers produce their coffee according to international standards for Organic farming and demand a fair price for their produce*. Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group sympathise with Mut Vitz’s attempt to survive on a highly unfair market and aim to import their coffee for sale in Edinburgh. Our group also raises money for Kiptik, a UK-based solidarity group working with cultural projects and the setting up of clean drinking water systems in Chiapas.

Autonomous democracy

Autumn 2003 saw the birth of Caracoles – centres of regional Zapatista administration. The Caracoles are parts of a greater move to strengthen the Zapatistas’ already impressive internal democracy, smooth the redistribution of resources from richer to poorer communities, and make sure all international organisations present in the region are beneficial and accountable to the local population. “We have no use of broken computers or high-heeled shoes”, the Zapatistas have said, making clear that they do not want to be subject to meaningless charity projects controlled by outsiders. However, human rights observers and practical solidarity with community-run projects are still appreciated and called for.

Trading Freedom and Voice of the Voiceless

In admiration of the Zapatistas’ great achievements in democracy and in solidarity with their struggle against inequality and oppression, the Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group is organising a video night in the Forest Café at 8pm on Sunday the 8th of February. Two films will be shown: Trading Freedom, about the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, and Voice of the Voiceless, about the Zapatistas’ own radio station. Bring your friends and any questions you may have regarding the Zapatistas and how to get involved in solidarity action.

*Mut Vitz coffee has the Mexican CERTIMEX-certificate for Organic farming and the Swedish Rättvisemärkt-certificate for producing their coffee according to the European Union’s Fair Trade standards (which means they get paid almost 8 times more than they would “normally”).