Christian Peacemaker Teams News
Copyright © 2000 CPT
CHIAPAS, MEXICO - "We continue to be displaced," reads the sign at the entrance to the new camp. On Oct 17 over 450 displaced Abejas from the severely overcrowded camp at X'oyep relocated to a new spot several hours walk away from their former homes in the village of Yibeljoj.Many press reports, and the most recent CPTNet Prayers for Peacemakers (Oct 25), have stated that the Abejas from Yibeljoj were able to return to their homes. This is not true. The Yibeljoj displaced continue to be threatened by active paramilitary groups, and feel strongly that a return to their homes would not be safe.
In addition, an Associated Press article on the relocation has claimed that the Yibeljoj villagers fled X'oyep out of fear. This is also not true. The Yibeljoj Abejas left X'oyep, and their friends and neighbors of the past three years, because of inadequate and deteriorating housing and lack of food, water, and firewood.
CPTers accompanied the Yibeljoj villagers on their walk from X'oyep to the new camp (see October 24 release, "Moving Again"), and have maintained a near-continuous presence at the camp since the move.
It is very important to the displaced Abejas that the world knows that they are still displaced, because the Mexican government would like to claim that the problems in Chiapas have been resolved and people are able to return home. CPT Chiapas encourages CPT supporters to write letters to the editor to correct any misinformation in news articles about the relocation.
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Chiapas Mexico Moving Again For more information contact:
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