Ildefonso Zamora, defender of forests now unjustly imprisoned, embodies the will of the struggle by the men and women defenders of the land in Mexico, but also the attacks on life and criminalization routinely faced by indigenous communities and people who are the bulwark of the territorial defense.
Ildefonso is a Tlahuica indigenous leader of the community of San Juan Atzingo, in the State of Mexico, which for almost twenty years has combatted illegal logging in their forests. From his position as president of his peoples' Communal Land[1], Ildefonso waged a peaceful struggle against the illegal loggers who are destroying the Great Forest of Water that recharges the aquifers that supply Mexico City. This struggle, which is now at the expense of his freedom, has already cost a life. On May 15, 2007, after Ildefonso filed a complaint against the illegal logging, his family was ambushed. His son Aldo died and another son, Misael, was wounded.
The defense of the San Juan Atzingo forest has been supported by Greenpeace since 2004. Their struggle was even recognized by then President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, who, like then Governor Enrique Peña Nieto, promised to imprison Aldo's murderers. Not only was the promise of justice not kept—only two of the four perpetrators were apprehended—but Ildefonso himself was jailed last year on an absurd charge. No wonder the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA) places the State of Mexico [borders Mexico City, horseshoe-like, on three sides] third in the country for attacks on environmentalists[2].
On November 20, 2015, Ildefonso was arrested by judicial police and transferred by private vehicle to Tenancingo Prison. Charged with breaking and entering and house burglary, he was initially imprisoned with his son Aldo's murderers.
The charge against Ildefonso is based on manufactured evidence, a legal process so irregular and absurd as to say that he committed a house robbery when there is proof that the community leader was in another place on the day of the events.
Added to the fact of putting up with an unjust imprisonment, Idelfonso's health is at risk. He suffers from diabetes and, related to the disease, has an injury to a finger on the right hand. Prison authorities have conditioned his access to his medicine to a prison [medical] center where, in itself, the general conditions are bad.
In addition to calling for signing an online action demanding his release, on Tuesday, February 23, Greenpeace Mexico and the Miguel Agustin Pro Juárez Human Rights Center laid out the number of irregularities by which [the government] intends to continue punishing Ildefonso with unjust imprisonment. The family itself also testified to the attacks.
Also spotlighted were the work of reforestation and territorial defense that provokes the rage of both illegal loggers and those who protect them. The conference, broadcast live [in Spanish], is now available on YouTube. Spanish original
From La Jornada: ... In a statement, it was reported that the Pro Center and Greenpeace Mexico recently presented the case to the Rapporteurs for Indigenous Peoples, Environment and People Defenders at the United Nations. It is hoped that a communication will be sent to the Mexican State.
Since 2004 Greenpeace has worked with the family and the community of San Juan Atzingo, filing complaints with the authorities. Although nearly 50 arrest warrants against the illegal loggers have been issued, there have been no arrests. In 2007, President Felipe Calderon granted to Don Ildefonso and his Tlahuica community recognition of ecological merit, and the president promised justice, which was not fulfilled. Spanish original
*Centro Prodh: "The Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center is a civil organization that has been dedicated to the defense and promotion of human rights for over 25 years. Its main focus is promoting the rights of society's most excluded groups. We seek to make visible aspects of public life that should be improved in order to guarantee the dignity of all people. Our daily task involves us in dealing with diverse interests and fighting in order that the State assume its responsibility in areas not considered a priority. We are encouraged by the strength of people who, despite having been violated in their dignity, have held firm in their demand that human rights are a reality not only in their own lives but the lives of all people."
The charge against Ildefonso is based on manufactured evidence, a legal process so irregular and absurd as to say that he committed a house robbery when there is proof that the community leader was in another place on the day of the events.
Added to the fact of putting up with an unjust imprisonment, Idelfonso's health is at risk. He suffers from diabetes and, related to the disease, has an injury to a finger on the right hand. Prison authorities have conditioned his access to his medicine to a prison [medical] center where, in itself, the general conditions are bad.
In addition to calling for signing an online action demanding his release, on Tuesday, February 23, Greenpeace Mexico and the Miguel Agustin Pro Juárez Human Rights Center laid out the number of irregularities by which [the government] intends to continue punishing Ildefonso with unjust imprisonment. The family itself also testified to the attacks.
Also spotlighted were the work of reforestation and territorial defense that provokes the rage of both illegal loggers and those who protect them. The conference, broadcast live [in Spanish], is now available on YouTube. Spanish original
From La Jornada: ... In a statement, it was reported that the Pro Center and Greenpeace Mexico recently presented the case to the Rapporteurs for Indigenous Peoples, Environment and People Defenders at the United Nations. It is hoped that a communication will be sent to the Mexican State.
Since 2004 Greenpeace has worked with the family and the community of San Juan Atzingo, filing complaints with the authorities. Although nearly 50 arrest warrants against the illegal loggers have been issued, there have been no arrests. In 2007, President Felipe Calderon granted to Don Ildefonso and his Tlahuica community recognition of ecological merit, and the president promised justice, which was not fulfilled. Spanish original
*Centro Prodh: "The Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center is a civil organization that has been dedicated to the defense and promotion of human rights for over 25 years. Its main focus is promoting the rights of society's most excluded groups. We seek to make visible aspects of public life that should be improved in order to guarantee the dignity of all people. Our daily task involves us in dealing with diverse interests and fighting in order that the State assume its responsibility in areas not considered a priority. We are encouraged by the strength of people who, despite having been violated in their dignity, have held firm in their demand that human rights are a reality not only in their own lives but the lives of all people."
[1] MV Note: Mexico has two forms of indigenous collective land ownership: communities and ejidos. Communal lands were granted (back) to indigenous communities by the Spanish king after the Conquest. Comuneros, community members, own and work their land collectively. Article 2 of Mexico’s Constitution recognizes the right of these indigenous communities to choose self-government under traditional uses and customs, or indigenous customary law. The people's assembly is the traditional decision-making mechanism; decisions themselves are communal and consensual.
[2] MV Note: Sonora is first, 16 attacks; followed by Oaxaca, 13 attacks; then State of Mexico, 12; Guerrero, 9; Chiapas, Chihuahua, Colima and Puebla, 8 attacks each; Mexico City, 6; Morelos, 5; Veracruz, 4; Sinaloa, 3; Michoacán, 2; Baja California Sur, Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Yucatán y Tlaxcala, 1 attack each. [VME Total: 109] Source: CEMDA.Illegal logging in Mexico is not uncommon, see:
- Mexico Violence: In Michoacán, It's Not Just About Drugs, But Mining and Timber As Well (Proceso, 2/18/2014);
- Mexico in Crisis-Cherán: Key Lesson for Getting Out of 'Mexican Swamp' (Victor M. Toledo, La Jornada, 3/3/2015) sets the issue of illegal logging in broader context with a hopeful message.