Chiapas (Chiapas, Mexico)

In January 1994, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation commanded Indian populations of Chiapas that were protesting for recognition of their political, civil, social and cultural rights.

Danielle Mitterrand defended the Zapatists combat in each forum she attended and she wrote a book entitled, “These men are first our brothers”, which tells the story of her meeting with Subcomander Marcos and rebel Indian communities and talks of their struggle.

After Indian populations were slaughtered in December 2007, we denounced a number of violations of Indian populations’ fundamental rights and led awareness-raising actions promoting democratisation of the region. In November 2009, we participated in the International Civil Commission for the Observation of Human Rights, which submitted a report on Chiapas situation to Mary Robinson, then High Commissioner for Human Rights. We also supported several health, food aid and human rights education projects.