Mexican political prisoners need support

Inside the Cerra Hueco penitentiary in Mexico, 47 prisoners are in the fifth week of a hunger strike to draw attention to their unjust imprisonment.

The penitentiary is located in Chiapas, the state well-known as the source of the Zapatista movement and the site of the recent International Conference for Humanity and against Neo-liberalism.

The prisoners are all indigenous Zapatista supporters or members of other political groups opposing the neo-liberal status quo. They are being detained for participating in political protests and for their opposition to local right-wing organisations which operate unchecked outside the democratic process.

The protesters are demanding that the state Congress enforce the existing law of amnesty which mandates their release. The strikers' physician, Abraham Castenada, reports that they have each lost about a third of their body weight, and that many have contracted tuberculosis and other serious illnesses.

Three older prisoners are in critical health. The prisoners' attorney, Miguel Angel de los Santos, emphasises that the strike is a pressure tactic, not suicide. Thus, outside support is critical.

Letters requesting the immediate release of the 47 prisoners unjustly detained at Cerra Hueco should be sent to: President Ernesto Zedillo, c/o the Consul of Mexico, 135 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff, NSW 2047 or fax 9327 1110.

From GLW issue 253