CPTnet
CHIAPAS, MEXICO: URGENT ACTION: Support June 25 Return of The Bees to
their Home Communities
June 18, 1998

"If God gives us life, we plan on returning," one of the leaders of
Las Abejas (The Bees) told Christian Peacemaker Team members on June 6,
1998. Like many other indigenous peoples in Chiapas, Mexico, The Bees
fled their villages in the last several years because of violent attacks
by paramilitary groups and Mexican security forces. Although many of the
18,000 displaced people in Chiapas belong to unarmed civil
organizations, the Bees are distinguished by their determination to
confront the political, military, and economic injustices through solely
nonviolent means.

On Dec. 22, 1997 a paramilitary group massacred 45 of their
number--mostly women and children--while nearby government troops
ignored requests for help. The Bees continue to embrace a theology of
nonviolence. They confront injustice and violence with fasting, prayer,
and public witness.

Food and water supplies in the refugee camps are beginning to run out,
and the planting season will soon be over. In light of this desperate
situation, The Bees announced in early June, after a period of prayer
and discernment, that they would return to the villages of Los Chorros
and Yibeljoj on June 25, 1998. All of the approximately 4,000 Bees will
accompany the 850 people returning to the two villages. They have
issued an open invitation for Mexicans and internationals to accompany
them on this return and during the period afterwards. They also
encourage these nationals and internationals to extend help to the other
18,000 displaced people in refugee camps.

At the close of their meeting with CPT members, one of The Bees said,
''It is important to say this is an initiative of Las Abejas because the
government has not helped or protected us. Therefore, we must take the
initiative to return to our home and our heritage.''

REQUESTED ACTION:

1) Those who wish to accompany The Bees (Las Abejas) should contact
either Juan Gomez Vazquez, Sociedad Civil Las Abejas at(int- 52) (967)
84784 (Phone and fax); Calle Las Rosas #8; Barrio Maria Auxiliadora;
C.P. 29290 San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas; Mexico; or CPT. A CPT
team will be accompanying the return of The Bees.

2) CPT is asking supporters who cannot accompany The Bees in person to
write to the Mexican authorities and ask that they ensure that The Bees
can return without facing military or paramilitary violence. Please
write, fax, or email to the addresses at the end of this alert. Write
in Spanish if possible.

3) Prayer and Fasting: June 22, 1998, marks the six-month anniversary of
the massacre of 45 Bees members. The Bees will once again fast on this
day. They and CPT invite supporters to join them in fasting from June 22
until June 25 in the manner they choose, while praying for a safe return
for The Bees and all the displaced refugees in Chiapas.

ADDRESSES TO WRITE (See #2 above).

Lic. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon [President of Mexico]
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio Nacional
C.P. 06067 Mexico, DF-Mexico
Fax: (int-52) (5) 515-47-83
Email: webadmon [at] op [dot] presidencia [dot] gob [dot] mx

Lic. Roberto Albores Guillen [Governor of Chiapas]
Gobernador Substituto
Palacio de Gobierno
Avenida Central, Primera Oriente, Colonia Central
C.P. 29009 Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Fax: (int-52) (961) 20917; Tel: (int-52) (961) 21093

COCOPA (Commission for Agreement and Peacemaking, includes
representatives of all political parties in Mexican Congress)
write: Comision de Concordia y Pacificacion
Paseo de la Reforma #10, piso 17
Mexico, DF-Mexico
Fax: (int-52) (5) 535-27-26
CNDH (National Commission for Human Rights, governmental, semi
independent human rights agency)
write: Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos
Avenida Periferica Sur, No. 3469 San Jeronimo
Lidice, Delegacion Magdalena, Contreras Mexico DF-MEXICO
Tel/Fax: (int-52) (5) 681-92-39
Email: correo [at] cndh [dot] org [dot] mx

Please send copy to the San Cristobal diocese's human rights org:
Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Bartolome de las Casas
Francisco Leon 5. Barrio de Santa Lucia
San Cristobal de las Casas
Fax: (int-52) (967) 83548; Tel: (int-52) (967) 83551
Email: cdhbcasas [at] laneta [dot] apc [dot] org