B3-0057, 0110 and 0126/94

Resolution on the peasant uprising in Chiapas (Mexico)

The European Parliament,

A.expressing its concern at the violence in the Mexican State of Chiapas initiated by the uprising of the 'Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN - Zapatista National Liberation Army) on 1 January 1994,

B.recognizing that the causes of these events include the exploitation, hunger, poverty, injustice and humiliation suffered by the indigenous population,

C.aware of the growing importance of Mexico not only in Latin America but also in its relations with the United States within the context of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and with the world in general,

D.whereas the framework agreement signed in April 1991 between the European Community and the United States of Mexico stresses that human beings should be the principal beneficiaries of cooperation and that respect for human rights should therefore be promoted,

1.Condemns unreservedly the use of armed force in a state subject to the rule of law, even when it is allegedly prompted by political, social, ethnic or cultural conflicts, as well as the excesses committed by the army during the repression;

2.Welcomes the swift reaction of the President of Mexico in his effort to bring to an end the hostilities and establish a dialogue;

3.Hopes that this dialogue between the Government and the rebels will lead as soon as possible to a definitive ceasefire and help remedy the injustices and discrimination suffered by the poorest sectors of the Mexican people;

4.Stresses the need for progress in the democratization process in Mexico;

5.Calls on the joint committee established under the EEC-Mexico Agreement to increase the planned cooperation in the public health, rural and agricultural sectors, emphasizing above all the need to protect tropical forests in common agreement with their indigenous populations;

6.Calls for the safety of Guatemalan refugees who are presently living in camps in the State of Chiapas and elsewhere to be guaranteed;

7.Appeals to the Mexican authorities to refrain from further human rights violations and to allow national and international human rights organizations, the International Red Cross and representatives of the churches and the press to enter the area;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Mexican Government, the Governor of the State of Chiapas, the Presidents of the Mexican Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, the Chairman of the Partido Institucional Revolucionario and the President of the Latin- American Parliament.