Chiapas: Hope has been threatened
For the first time in my life I discovered this part of the world which
is now in the forefront of the news. The international civil commission
for the safeguard of human rights invited me to go. We were 200 altogether,
mostly from Europe; the Spaniards were the most numerous group.
The great majority of the delegation was made up of young people working in the human rights field and they were all highly motivated by the experience of the Zapatas in Chiapa. Most of them do not belong to any church or are outside the church but they recognise the basic dignity of the Church of San Cristobal and of its pastor: Mgr Samuel Ruiz, who recently escaped two attempts on his life.
Our presence, as foreigners, was not well received by the Mexican authorities nor by the media, who denounced what they considered as interference in the internal affairs of the country. The xenophobic fear of the authorities meant, at least, that we had full daily coverage of our visit in the media !
How is it that Chiapas has given rise to so many echoes throughout the world ? Why has this small area - which could be a paradise if it lived in peace - raised so many hopes at this turn of the century ? Is it because of the emblematic personality of the deputy commander Marcos who is both a stratagist and a poet ? Is it because of the beauty of the place and of San Cristobal de las Casas, the cultural capital, which is so much admired by the tourists ? All these reasons are of some import but I believe that the most decisive factor lies elsewhere. Chiapas has become the only place in the world where the way of life and the way in which everything is run, is so special. We are before an indigenous revolution which does not aim at seizing power but rather aims at building up power. It is up to civil society to take power. It is a different type of democracy, not a representative one but a participatory one. And there is such a beautiful harmony between tradition and modern times ! On banners I was able to read the words of the deputy commander Marcos, that give a sense to this revolution:
- "We are the rebellious dignity
- the forgotten heart of the homeland
- the rebellious dignity of the ZFNL (*)
- does not give in nor is it for sale."
- the forgotten heart of the homeland
This experiment which has been carried forward by so much hope since 1994 is seriously compromised. The Christmas massacre, carried out by paramilitary, killed 45 people, most of whom were women and children, and injured 34 others.
A French priest, Michel Chanteau, who has been parish priest for the last 32 years, in the village of Chenalho, where the drama occurred, was courageous enough to denounce the responsibility of the Government in this massacre. This action has resulted in an order of expulsion.
I spent my last evening there with him and some friends in San Cristobal. He knew he was the object of death threats but his desire was to remain with the Indians, as a good pastor, whatever the risks might be.
His expulsion will give others the will to come or to return to this so very attractive part of the world, so that hope may never die.
(*) Zapatist Front of National Liberation
Jacques Gaillot