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CHIAPAS, MEXICO - Mayan pacifist Christians from the group, Las Abejas (the Bees) have announced that 319 people who have been living in the displacement camp of X'oyep for nearly four years will return to their communities of origin on August 28, 2001.

Fifty-nine families -- 35 (188 persons) from the village of Yaxjemel (Yash-heh-MEL); 15 (83 persons) from Chuchtic; and 9 (48 persons) from Puebla -- fled their homes in the Chiapan highlands in the fall of 1997 due to violence and threats from paramilitary groups. Those paramilitaries are still armed.

Citing the intolerable conditions of refugee camp life -- the supply of firewood for cooking has been depleted, women have to walk one and a half hours to get water, food supplies are inadequate and housing is severely overcrowded -- the Abejas say this is only the first wave of a series of "returns" that will ultimately involve more than 2000 refugees.

The Abejas have met with the governor of Chiapas to insist that the state guarantee their safety and to hold the state responsible if any harm should come to them.

In addition, the Abejas have asked for international accompaniment and public prayers to bring as much world attention to their return as possible. Seven CPTers will be present to accompany the returning refugees on August 28.

Please send your prayers and messages of concern to: President Vicente Fox, Fax: 011-5-515-4783 E-mail: webadmon@op.presidencia.gob.mx and Governor Pablo Salazar, Fax: 011-9-612-0917