Urgent Action: Human Rights Commission
Article written by Colin Bossen
On August 17th the Chiapas State Congress voted to temporarily dismiss Pedro Raul Lopez Hernandez, the President of the Chiapas Human Rights Commission (CEDH) on the grounds that he interfered with a state investigation into the possible embezzlement of funds.
Lopez Hernandez counters that the proposed audit did not comply with established legal procedures and that the audit and the charges against him are an attempt by State government to obstruct the autonomous work of the CEDH to record and denounce human rights violations, maintain transparent accounts and open records and monitor state authorities. After his dismissal, 60 Chiapas human rights organizations issued urgent actions demanding just proceedings and protection for Lopez Hernandez who has been subject to harassment and threats during his Presidency and since he was asked to step down. Human rights organizations urge that an international letter writing campaign to the Mexican National Human Rights Commission!
On August 17th the Chiapas State Congress voted to temporarily dismiss Pedro Raul Lopez Hernandez, the President of the Chiapas Human Rights Commission (CEDH) on the grounds that he interfered with a state investigation into the possible embezzlement of funds.
Lopez Hernandez counters that the proposed audit did not comply with established legal procedures and that the audit and the charges against him are an attempt by State government to obstruct the autonomous work of the CEDH to record and denounce human rights violations, maintain transparent accounts and open records and monitor state authorities. After his dismissal, 60 Chiapas human rights organizations issued urgent actions demanding just proceedings and protection for Lopez Hernandez who has been subject to harassment and threats during his Presidency and since he was asked to step down. Human rights organizations urge that an international letter writing campaign to the Mexican National Human Rights Commission!
and to Chiapas state authorities will create pressure for just and open proceedings. Please see Sipaz website for sample letters and how to address them. www.sipaz.org. For more information see www.cuarto-poder.com.mx (August 17-22, 2004)
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