Misery among Roots of Oaxaca Conflict

Prensa Latina

Mexico, Sep 27  Marginality, destitution, corruption and violation of human rights are the main reasons for the full blown conflict in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, a committee of observers, supported by 16 national and international NGOs, reported Wednesday.

The report issued by those officials affirms that the majority of the 3.5 million Oaxaca citizens –- mainly farmers and indigenous – live in poverty, with an absence of infrastructure and basic services, which must be considered to solve the crisis.

The current confrontation between state and social authorities and corruption in the government bureaucracy that distributes social assistance programs in the territory have also to be examined.

The 656 agrarian conflicts weighing down on the population and the large number of emigrants to the interior and outside the country are major friction points.

The crisis, says the document, goes beyond a mere teachers´ strike and affirms events in Oaxaca are social.

May 22, teachers of Oaxaca state began a strike for better salaries and working conditions. Other organizations joined, in what is a settling of scores in the face of greater evils from local authorities.

The core demand of the social movement was the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz, which developed into a general riot situation that authorities now intend to solve with federal military forces.

The report denounces the excessive use of force, attacks on the freedom of expression, transgressions of the right of association and meeting, and the conduct of the security forces.

Meanwhile, the popular caravan that departed Thursday from Oaxaca, continues its march to the Federal District, where it will demand the dissolution of the state powers, notwithstanding the decision to either continue the massive struggle or the representative way.

The group of approximately five thousand protesters has a great impact on cities and states visited along the way, as it is considered an example of rebellion that is awakening the solidarity of the Mexican people, feared by the echelons of power.

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