Lic. Emilio Chuayffet Chemor
Secretaria de Gobernacion
Bucarelli 99, 1er piso
Col Juarez, 06699 Mexico DF
Mexico

Dear Minister:

I wish to express my concern regarding the arrests of two Chinantec Indian brothers, Juan and Marcos Zamora Gonzalez. Both men were detained without arrest warrants on 3 May 1997 by members of the State Judicial Police in the city of Veracruz, state of Veracruz. For the first 72 hours after their arrest, they were held in incommunicado detention.

Juan Zamora Gonzalez is the leader of the Consejo Indigena de Uxpanapa (CIUX), Indigenous Council of Uxpanapa, an organization that campaigns for compensation to be paid to the Chinantec communities displaced by the building of hydroelectric dams in the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca. I am very concerned that he has been detained solely because of his peaceful work as an activist in the indigenous community, and that Marcos Zamora Gonzalez was arrested purely on the grounds of his relationship to his brother and for being in his company at the time of his arrest.

To my knowledge, neither Juan Zamora Gonzalez nor Marcos Zamora Gonzalez has been charged with a crime. Therefore, both men should be released immediately and unconditionally and be granted appropriate compensation for the injustice they have endured.

I am also concerned for the health of Juan Zamora Gonzalez. I understand that he suffers from advanced diabetes and reportedly is being denied proper medical treatment, including an appropriate supply of insulin, while in custody. There can be no justification for such negligence. Please ensure that he is given immediate access to the medical care that he needs.

Respectfully yours,