Oaxaca@canada.org.mx

Cc: Vicente.fox.quesada@presidencia.gob.mx, cabascal@segob.gob.mx

Hello,

I am contacting you to express my concern that the Government of Mexico is violating the human rights of Oaxacan people. Although the government denies it, there are many instances recorded on video such as are accessible via the internet. I hope that the brutality of the Mexican government will be stopped immediately. A democratic dialogue with the people is required.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur, Dr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, was extremely concerned with the use of force to counter protests arising from deeply entrenched social issues. I would like to add my voice to Dr. Stavenhagen’s recommendation, that the federal and state authorities fully comply at all times with Mexico’s international human rights commitments.

I am particularly concerned by the fact that, in the past few weeks: hundreds of Oaxacans have been detained or disappeared; seventeen supporters of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca have been killed; torture is rampant; and the official instructions to hospitals and the International Red Cross are to deny medical care to the injured.

The movement in Oaxaca has millions of supporters, who come from all sectors of society. Please stop the brutal behaviour of the Mexican government. Maintain the human rights and dignity of the people.

Sincerely,