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Leahy Sense of the Congress Resolution on Chiapas
from the Mexico Solidarity Network, Aug 5, 1998 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. Leahy (for himself, Mr. Dodd, _________) submitted the following resolution; which was ________________. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress regarding measures to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, and for other purposes. Whereas the United States and Mexico have a long history of close relations and share many economic and security interests; Whereas a democratic and prosperous Mexico is in the economic and security interests of the United States; Whereas the United States is providing assistance and licensing exports of military equipment to Mexican security forces; Whereas the Department of State has documented human rights violations by Mexican security forces; Whereas the conflict in Chiapas, Mexico has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians since January 1994, including the massacre of 45 civilians on December 12, 1997 and the deaths of 10 people, including 2 police officers and 8 villagers, on June 10, 1998; Whereas the lack of progress in implementing a preliminary peace agreement signed in 1996 and the presence of tens of thousands of Mexican soldiers, as well as armed paramilitary and other groups, have contributed to increased political violence in Chiapas and the absence of basic human rights protections; Whereas the persistence of political violence has exacerbated the already dismal economic conditions of the majority of indigenous people in Chiapas, and political violence is increasing elsewhere in Mexico, including the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero; Whereas thousands of indigenous people in Chiapas have fled their homes as a result of the violence and are living in deplorable conditions; Whereas efforts to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict in Chiapas are at a standstill and the National Mediation Commission has been dissolved by its President, Bishop Samuel Ruiz, due to lack of progress in the peace process; Whereas the summary expulsions of United States citizens and human rights monitors from Mexico raise concerns about the Government of Mexico's commitment to freedom of movement, association, and expression; and Whereas the Government of Mexico has expressed concerns about the welfare of Mexican migrant and seasonal workers in the United States who often face discrimination, low wages, and onerous working and living conditions;
Now, therefore, be it That it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should
Leahy, Dodd, Durbin, Harkin, Feinstein, Feingold, Bumpers, Bingaman, Murray, Jeffords, Kerry, Wellstone, Boxer, Kennedy The following are key Senators that have not, as yet, signed on as co-sponsors: Lugar, Grams, Gorton, Specter, Reed, McCulsky, Wyden, Smith, Biden, Sarbanes, Hagel, Lautenberg, Dorgan, Kohl
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