A pardon
would be a recognition of guilt
|
Emir Olivares Alonso, Carolina Gómez Mena
La Jornada,
Friday 12th July, 2013
The Tzotzil teacher Alberto Patishtán--charged with the murder of several policemen in Chiapas--does not deserve a pardon, but instead must be declared innocent because he is imprisoned on false charges, declared the bishop of Saltillo, Coahuila, Raúl Verá López.
After a
conference on the persecution of activists in Guerrero, he said that keeping
Patishtán in jail reflects "the obstinacy" of the Mexican state
toward the indigenous peoples, whom it does not make subjects of the law.
The bishop celebrated a Mass with the Dominican priest Miguel Concha, director of the Fray Francisco de Vitoria Human Rights Centre. Also present was Father Julián Cruzalta of Catholics for the Right to Decide (CFRD).
The bishop celebrated a Mass with the Dominican priest Miguel Concha, director of the Fray Francisco de Vitoria Human Rights Centre. Also present was Father Julián Cruzalta of Catholics for the Right to Decide (CFRD).
The ceremony,
organized by Churches for Peace and Serapaz to demand Patishtán's release, was
held outside the Federal Judiciary Council and was attended by over three
hundred people.
Vera López
regretted that they continue violating the rights of indigenous people and
social fighters like Patishtán, and he issued a call for justice for the
original peoples. At the conclusion of the religious service, the
Tzotzil-teacher, who has served thirteen years of a sixty-year sentence, said
by telephone that despite being behind walls he feels free, because he
continues to be a social fighter and thinker.
The bishop
felt that the pardon "would amount to (recognizing) that he is guilty; it
would mean forgiveness. It is up to Alberto (to accept a pardon, or not). I
think that the release he deserves is through his innocence."
He noted that
the federal Executive is analyzing authorization of a pardon for Patishtán,
even when there is evidence to presume his innocence.
In Mexico, he said, mistreatment of the original peoples continues, and it even extends to their sacred places, as in Wirikuta. In mistreating the Tzotzil activist, the State wants to show that "it has the power."
Translation by Jane Brundage
In Mexico, he said, mistreatment of the original peoples continues, and it even extends to their sacred places, as in Wirikuta. In mistreating the Tzotzil activist, the State wants to show that "it has the power."
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