* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International * 4 July 2000 AI Index AMR 41/034/2000 News Service Nr. 130 Mexico President-elect and his government must turn a new leaf in the protection of human rights President-elect Vicente Fox and his future government must make a clean break with Mexico's century-long history of political violence and gross human rights abuses, Amnesty International said today in the wake of Sunday's presidential and parliamentary elections. The President-to-be must at the very earliest opportunity make clear to all Mexicans and the international community that the unrestricted protection of human rights will be a cornerstone of his government's policies and program of work. These must include laying the foundations for effective reform of the institutions designed to protect human rights and bring about an end to impunity. Human rights reforms under the previous governments of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), in power for over 70 years, have frequently been marred by unchecked arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and killings. For the victims of these abuses, truth and justice has been ignored for too long. A long-standing and widespread lack of confidence in the ability of Mexico's security forces and judicial system to operate within the rule of law is one of the central challenges which the new government must address. Amnesty International has been reporting on Mexico's human rights situation for over 35 years. During these years the organization has documented and appealed to the authorities on thousands of individuals whose rights -- including the right to life -- were taken away from them. The vast majority of these victims never took on the high profile associated with cases like the 1968 massacre of hundreds of students in Mexico City or the 1997 killing of 45 indigenous men, women and children in Acteal, Chiapas. But they are no less important. "President-elect Vicente Fox of the Partido de Accion Nacional (PAN), his yet to be appointed ministers, and the newly-elected representatives in Congress and the Senate must rise to the challenge at a moment when the international community is placing human rights at the centre of its agenda," the organization said. ENDS.../ Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom **************************************************************** You may repost this message onto other sources provided the main text is not altered in any way and both the header crediting Amnesty International and this footer remain intact. Only the list subscription message may be removed. **************************************************************** >> _______ earthradioTV.com - Alternative News Portal for ecology, politics & consciousness. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] earthradioTV.com MIRROR SITES: USA http://www.earthradioTV.com/index2.html CZECH http://mujweb.cz/www/ecologynews/ UK http://members.tripod.co.uk/ecologynews/ Canada http://www.ecologynews.com/index2.html <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
