Emergency Human Rights Delegation to Chiapas
September 16-21, 1999
In Amador Hernandez, the delegation witnessed daily protests by the indigenous people of the area against the uninvited presence of the Mexican Army. The only methods used by the EZLN supporters were those of peaceful protest: namely mass demonstration; the displaying of banners and placards; and the singing of songs. In return, the representatives of the Mexican Army turned up blaring music though loudspeakers so as to drown out the protesters; displayed riot control weaponry; and dispatched low flying helicopters over the demonstrators.
Original Delegation Pages

9/21/99 press release
9/21/99 boletin de prensa
Traps in Amador Hernandez

Followup Stories

Fires are pretext 5/5/00
Another trip planned 5/4/00
Critical time 5/2/00
Forest fires 5/2/00
Wind of war 5/2/00
Paramilitary pincer 5/1/00
Rights Abuse rpt 4/25/00
Cocopa Pres. 4/25/00
Military Fortress 4/25/00
Paramilitaries gain 4/23/00
Army encirclement 4/23/00
Ethnocide charges 4/21/00
Legislators 4/20/00
Encircling EZLN 4/17/00
Amador blockade 4/15/00
Presentation to UN 4/14/00
IED/HLP to press 4/14/00
Caravan harrassed 4/12/00 Malnutrition 4/10/00
Army in the Selva 4/9/00
UN Realtor 4/8/00
Marcos letter 3/21/00
Las Abejas 3/19/00
Raul Vera 3/13/00
Sen Hayden 2/25/00
Sen Hayden 2/17/00 #2
Sen Hayden 2/17/00 #1
Moises Ghandi  2/13/00
UN- HR abuses 11/26/99
Radio interview 11/24/99
SOA protest 11/21/99
Amador   11/12/99
SOA - CIEPAC rpt 11/5/99
Marcos to Robinson 11/99
PRODH attack 10/28/99
Moises Ghandi 10/25/99
Acteal background 1999

Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Center

 
Pro-Zapatista and anti- Mexican Army chants from the assembled protesters were drowned out by the military's loudspeakers, which played at top volume during the 6 hours of daily protest at the edge of the army's encampment.
The people of Amador Hernandez were joined by hundreds of fellow indigenous supporters in peacefully protesting against the presence of the army and against the construction of a road in their area which they believe will only lead to increased military control.
Women and children were prominent among the protesters.
Three Zapatista supporters sing protest songs against the presence of the army.
Another group of determined women protestors... While in Amador Hernandez, members of the delegation were repeatedly told by various Zapatista supporters that they are firmly committed to their cause and will continue their protests "for as long as it takes."