DATE=11/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UN-HUMAN RIGHTS MEXICO (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256581
BYLINE=GREG FLAKUS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights Mary Robinson wrapped up her weeklong visit to
Mexico Saturday saying she was overwhelmed by the
number of rights abuse reports she has received. (She
leaves Mexico early Sunday.) As VOA's Greg Flakus
reports from Mexico City, Mrs. Robinson called for
changes in both civilian and military procedures to
address the problem of impunity.
TEXT: In her remarks to reporters, Mary Robinson said
one of her chief concerns in Mexico is what she called
"the deep impact of militarization." She said
soldiers in various parts of the country are taking on
duties normally assigned to civilian police. The UN
official said the place where this is most obvious is
in Mexico's southern state of Chiapas.
/// Robinson act one ///
The concern is the very heavy presence of the military
and the lack of a specific line of what is the proper
function of the military. A number of those I spoke
to said they were hostages to the situation, that they
were oppressed by the situation, that human rights
violations were not investigated, there were human
rights violations by the military or if they went to a
tribunal, it was to a military court and not to the
normal courts.
/// end act ///
Mrs. Robinson said military courts should be used for
violations of military laws by soldiers and that
civilian courts should be used for violations of
civilian rights by military personnel. She said she
had received numerous complaints from indigenous
people during her visit to Chiapas on Friday and that
she was concerned by the number of soldiers stationed
in the conflictive area. Chiapas has been the scene
of tense confrontations and occasional violence ever
since a guerrilla uprising there in January of 1994
that resulted in 150 deaths.
Mrs. Robinson said it was not for her to tell the
Mexican government how many soldiers to have in
Chiapas, but she said it is important for the
government to address the serious rights abuses taking
place there.
/// Robinson act two ///
Many victims do not seem to feel that they can get
justice, that they can get redress for the violations.
So, I am overwhelmed by the documentation that I have
been given. I need not just one suitcase, but several
suitcases to bring with me the material for
examination about human rights violations.
/// end act ///
During her week in Mexico, Mrs. Robinson also visited
the northern border city of Tijuana to learn more
about problems facing migrant workers there. She said
she did have some recommendations regarding United
States border control policy, but that she would not
discuss these publicly until after she had had a
chance to speak with U-S officials. She also said
attention needs to be paid to the treatment by
Mexicans of immigrants from Central America who pass
over the border from Guatemala.
The visit by the UN Human Rights Commissioner is part
of an opening by the Mexican government to outside
examination of what had been considered a strictly
internal matter. Earlier this year, a UN Human Rights
rapporteur visited some of the same areas and provided
information to Mrs. Robinson to help in the planning
of her trip. The government of President Ernesto
Zedillo invited the U-N visits and has provided
information to Mrs. Robinson on proposed reforms. She
said this willingness to admit that there are problems
is an important step towards solving the problems.
(signed).
NEB/GF/PLM
27-Nov-1999 23:04 PM EDT (28-Nov-1999 0404 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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