MEXICO: Mexican authorities release 43 prisoners in Oaxaca; Governor Ulises Ruiz promises justice

Mexican authorities released a total of 43 prisoners on Sunday (December 17). They were part of the scores of protesters detained over the weekend of November 25 during and after a riot that left four burnt out government buildings. Oaxaca has been in chaos for the last seven months because of protests by striking teachers, Indian groups and leftists against governor Ulises Ruiz, who they say is corrupt and authoritarian. The conflict has killed more than a dozen people, most of them protesters. Police have snatched hundreds of protesters from the streets in recent weeks, leading to accusations by rights groups of illegal arrests and torture. Family members of the released prisoners awaited at the designated reunion place --for many the emotion was almost unbearable. Jesus Bolanos, charged with vandalism, said he was innocent. "Our innocence is proven. We were never around the places where they say we were participating in acts," he claimed. The almost 200 prisoners arrested in late November were transferred to a federal penitentiary in a different state. Teacher Aurelia Juarez reported being abused. "Yes, we were beaten, pulled by the hair. They punched us and kicked us in our stomachs. We were lucky to get out of there," she said. The protesters accuse the governor, who they say is corrupt and stole an election, of being behind at least a dozen deaths, mainly of activists, since the conflict began in June. Hours after the release took place, he promised justice. "We are reviewing case by case, that's our commitment. So those who aren't responsible would be immediately released, like the 43 fellows that were released today," Ulises Ruiz said after an inauguration act. Oaxaca is one of Mexico's cultural gems but is surrounded by rural areas of extreme poverty that years of corrupt government has failed to significantly reduce. Since taking office on Dec. 1, Calderon has taken a tough line on Mexico's security problems, sending thousands of troops to his home state of Michoacan, where a turf war between drug cartels has led to soaring violence. Federal riot police ended their weeks-long occupation of the centre of the Mexican tourist city Oaxaca on Saturday (December 16). The force will be relocated in Michoacan to try beef-up the offensive. Tourism, one of Oaxaca's main income sources, collapsed during the protests, and visitors are still staying away.

ITN Source | December 18, 2006

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