SAN CRISTOBAL -political education

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&slThe International service for Peace SIPAZ (use the English button) gave a presentation on its activities of documenting the human rights violation and political intimidation in the area. Their work is complicated by the fact that they are also a target for intimidation. It was interesting to see other political system and to note the similarities and difference with our own. It certainly gives one insights about how our system works and pitfalls that all democratic system face.


We had a meeting with a representative of Center for Economic and Political Research and Community Action (CIEPAC) (http://www.ciepac.org/ the page is in Spanish but if you click around you will find articles in English -- you may have to use an online translator) a grass roots political education organization gave a presentation on Globalization and ‘neoliberlism’. They also present to indigenous groups. It is quite possible the indigenous population in Mexico knows more about the IMF, NAFTA and the World Bank than do members of my own community. If you go by their office in San Christobal the have materials available in English. CENTER FOR POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC Research


Meeting with the Center for Political Analysis and Social and Economic Research. CAPISE there is an English button. Their main concern is to document the militarization of Chiapas. This provide an independent assessment of what the government is doing in the area. Chiapas appears to be under military occupation. This brings along with it other social related conditions such as drugs, alcohol and prostitution to the indigenous communities. The crux of the situation seem to relove around land reform and forign investement under NAFTA. I have yet to see an effective counter argument. If you have not looked at NAFTA Chapter 11. It would be in your best intrest to do so.

Breifly "NAFTA allows corporations to sue the national government of a NAFTA country in secret arbitration tribunals if they feel that a regulation or government decision affects their investment in conflict with these new NAFTA rights. If a corporation wins, the taxpayers of the "losing" NAFTA nation must foot the bill."

These three agencies have offices in the San Cristobal and have contact information on their web sites. They seem anxious to share their information. Several have DVD’s and Video’s in English…if you buy one check it while you are there; so far none of mine have worked.

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