WRITTEN QUESTION E-1775/97 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL), Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) and Carlos Carnero González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (27 May 1997)

Subject: Negotiations with the Mexican government regarding the San Andrés agreements

Is the Commission aware that President Zedillo has rejected the proposed constitutional reforms previously agreed by the Committee on Harmony and Pacification (Cocopa)?

Is the Commission aware that the counterproposal put forward by the Mexican Government against the Cocopa proposal may constitute a failure to comply with the San Andrés agreements signed by the EZLN and the Federal Government in February 1996?

Is the Commission going to put pressure on the Mexican Government in order to ensure that it complies with the agreements concluded by the Committee on Native Rights and Culture in the course of the current negotiations on an agreement between the EU and Mexico?

Can the Commission provide information regarding the projects funded and the ones rejected, amongst those submitted by human rights organization in 1996?

Can the Commission provide information regarding the kind of support being provided this year for human rights organizations in Mexico?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1997)

Since conflict broke out in Chiapas on 1 January 1994 the Commission has argued for a peaceful solution to be negotiated by the Government and the EZLN which would take better account of problems affecting native Mexicans.

As Parliament's delegation for relations with Central American countries and Mexico found in the course of its visit in December 1995, the Commission has financed a number of humanitarian aid projects to assist victims. It has also informed the Mexican authorities that, when the time comes, it will be interested in financing projects focusing on development and better integration of the people in Chiapas State as a contribution to the peace process in the region.

The first agreements on native rights and cultures were signed at San Andrés Larrainzar (Chiapas) on 16 February 1996. The Commission was duly informed of their content and noted with regret the unsuccessful efforts of the Parliamentary committee monitoring peace negotiations in Chiapas State (Cocopa) to turn its agreements into legislation. There is reason to hope that this process will be given a fresh impetus following the general elections on 6 July.

Without deviating from the line it has taken since the conflict began, the Commission intends still to keep a close watch on developments in the process now under way and to liaise regularly with the mediating parties.

Regarding the projects for the defence of human rights mentioned by the Honourable Member, three were financed by the Commission in 1995 and two in 1996.

1995:

- Project entitled 'Defensa integral de los derechos humanos' for the 'Centro de derechos humanos Fray Francisco de Vitoria O.P. AC ' (ECU 85 000);

- Project entitled 'Capacitación y promoción en derechos humanos en algunos estados de México para ONGs y sectores de población más vulnerables', for the 'Comisión de defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos' (ECU 34 500);

- Project entitled 'Producción de materiales impresos y audiovisuales para la educación civica,' for the 'Academia méxicana de derechos humanos,' (ECU 112 500).

1996:

- Project entitled 'Seminario internacional Europa-México sobre los derechos humanos,' for the 'Cámara de diputados - Comisión de derechos humanos' (ECU 47 000);

- Project entitled 'Apoyo al primer coloquio iberoamericano sobre los retos y desafios del ombudsman,' for the 'Federación Iberoamericana de defensores del pueblo, procuradores, comisionados y presidentes de comisiones públicas de derechos humanos (ECU 20 000).

Two projects were not proceeded with:

- Project entitled 'Consolidación del diálogo e impulso del proceso de paz en Chiapas,' for the 'Comisión nacional de intermediación' (CONAI) (ECU 265 000);

- Project entitled 'Programa especial de educación civica para crear las condiciones que permitan que las elecciones para gobernador del distrito federal sean limpias y confiables' for the 'Academia Méxicana de derechos humanos (ECU 340 000).

The Commission has three budget headings available to aid action to promote human rights and democratisation in Latin America:

- B7-703 Democratisation process in Latin America;

- B7-7040 Subsidies for certain activities of organisations pursuing human rights objectives;

- B7-707 Support for rehabilitation centres for torture victims and for organisations offering concrete help to victims of human rights abuses.