[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               INVESTIGATE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 22, 1994

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the recent reports by 
Amnesty International of human rights abuses by the Mexican Army 
against the indigenous people in Chiapas, Mexico. Since Mexico is now a 
signatory to NAFTA with the United States, it has become imperative for 
a nonbiased commission to investigate these allegations.
  On January 1, 1994, several thousand peasants and indigenous peoples 
in the southern Mexican State of Chiapas rebelled against years of 
exploitation and racism. The rebels denounced years of undemocratic and 
corrupt politics of the ruling PRI Party that led them to take direct 
action to address their grievances. Representatives from United States 
labor unions were eyewitnesses to a recent union election held in 
Tiajuana, Mexico, exposing the undemocratic and intimidating policies 
of Mexican labor law which make free trade union elections virtually 
impossible.
  Journalists and respected human rights groups have been denied access 
to the Chiapas region. There were reports of execution style murders by 
the army, and indiscriminate bombing and shelling of populated areas. 
The United States State Department issued a report on February 1 that 
charged the Mexican Army with ``serious human rights violations.''
  Since the backers of NAFTA assured the people of the United States 
that the Mexican Government enforces human and worker's rights, I 
believe an independent commission should be established to investigate 
these serious allegations against our newly favored trading partner.

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