Stop Violence against Evicted Community

The inhabitants of San Antonio Ebulá in Mexico were forcibly evicted, and some were beaten, on 13 August by private security guards aided by police. Although the village was levelled, the inhabitants are planning to return. It is feared that violence may be used by police and private security guards to prevent their return.

Read more here: UA 235-09 (pdf file)

Please send appeals, before October 15, to:

• Jorge Carlos Hurtado Valdez; Gobernador del Estado de Campeche; Palacio de Gobierno; Calle 8 entre 61 y Circuito Baluartes S/N; San Fco. de Campeche 24009; MEXICO. Fax: +52 98 1811 4004 (Salutation: Dear Governor), and
• Lic. Carlos Miguel Aysa González; Secretario de Seguridad Pública; Av. López Portillo por Av. Lázaro Cárdenas S/N; Col. Laureles, San Fco. de Campeche; C. P. 24085; MEXICO. Fax: +52 98 1 811 9110 (ask: "me puede dar tono de fax por favor") (Salutation: Dear Governor)

Send copies to:

• And your local diplomatic mission
• Equipo Indignación: informativo at indignacion.org.mx

My letter is below.

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA


Jorge Carlos Hurtado Valdez
Gobernador del Estado de Campeche
Palacio de Gobierno, Calle
8 entre 61 y Circuito Baluartes S/N,
San Fco. De Campeche 24009.
MEXICO
Fax: +52 1811 4004

RE: San Antonio Ebulá

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, and a
PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

After receiving information regards this matter from Amnesty International, I write to express
my concern about the current situation of the inhabitants of San Antonio Ebulá.

As I understand it, they have been forcibly and violently evicted from their village without
warning or a legal warrant and were not provided with an adequate alternative. I strongly urge, you and your fellow authorities to investigate the allegations of beating and damages against private property and dwellings.

I also ask that you provide the inhabitats of San Antonio Ebulá with protection from further forced eviction of abuses by private security guards or police, should they wish to return to their village pending the outcome of legal proceedings in relationship to the ownership and use of the land. Please make every attempt to promptly resolve the ownership of the land and engage in genuine consultation with the community, including provision of adequate alternative housing with security of tenure and compensation, should this be necessary.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik