Two Radio Reporters Murdered in Oaxaca sofiajt [at] yahoo.com)

Thursday Apr 10th, 2008 8:52 AM by Sofia Jarrin

On April 7, two radio reporters from a recently installed community radio were ambushed in Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, and shot to death. Teresa Bautista Flores, 24, and Felicitas Martínez, 20, two women journalists working for La Voz que Rompe el Silencio (“The Voice that Breaks the Silence”), were murdered allegedly by paramilitary forces. Three other people were wounded in the shooting: Jaciel Vázquez, aged 3, and his parents.





In an interview with Radio Bemba in Sonora, Mexico, Jorge Albino, coordinator of La Voz que Rompe el Silencio said that the radio station had been receiving death threats since its inception. The station was inagurated on January 20 to serve the Trique indigenous community in San Juan Copala, a year after the locality was granted administrative autonomy.



The Mexican branch of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) said there have been acts of violence against other small radio stations belonging to indigenous groups in Oaxaca, such as Radio Nandia in 2006 and Radio Calenda in 2007. Repoters Without Borders, an international organization created to defend press freedom and journalists under threat, reported that risks run by the press in Oaxaca state are common, where the political climate continues to be tense.



Two journalists were murdered in Oaxaca during a major wave of protests against state governor Ulíses Ruiz Ortíz in 2006. They were Indymedia reporter and U.S. citizen Bradley Will, and Raúl Marcial Pérez, an indigenous community leader and columnist for the regional daily El Gráfico. No one has been brought to justice for their murders.



La Voz que Rompe el Silencio is considered a vital instrument to establish the peace in the region, said Jorge Albino in his interview with Radio Bemba. “The blood of our colleagues were not shed in vain. In fact, it is with their blood that we will continue our work, boost the radio for the betterment of the Triquis community,” he said.



Oaxacan women rose to international prominence in 2006 when they led the takeover of a TV station during the people’s uprising in Oaxaca city. What started as a women-only march on August 1, culminated in the peaceful seizing of the state-owned television station, Channel 9. For three months, they collectively ran the station and opened a forum of discussion on the airwaves previously innaccesible to the community. Their media revolution was only haltered when the Mexican government decided to attack their own station, destroying the antenna and effectively taking them off the air. Taking over the communications broadcasting system, including several radio stations, has been heralded as a symbol of the popular movement in Oaxaca.



The Triqui indigenous people of San Juan Copala in southern Oaxaca, saw their first radio station, La Voz que Rompe el Silencio, as a major victory of their struggle. When the community declared itself an autonomous region on January 21, 2007, it vowed to stay independent from any party affiliation or influence, creating even a Police of the Community (Policia Comunitaria) to replace government armed forces in the region. The radio was to serve the Triquis people to promote unity, overcome conflicts, and encourage communication among communities, including those that are not formally members of the autonomous region. The radio stressed from the beginning the importance of promoting diversity within the station with the participation of women and particularly, the youth.



Jorge Albino reported to Radio Bemba that the two murdered journalists were in fact focusing on the process of indigenous autonomy, including health and bilingual education. Fearing the state of impunity in the region, radio administrators have circumvented local authorities and requested for a federal investigation into the murders.



(Photo: D.R. 2006 Nancy Davies. Triqui women in the Oaxaca zocalo.)



FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Triquis Inaugurate Their New Autonomous Municipality, by Nancy Davies

http://www.narconews.com/Issue44/article2521.html



Radio Bemba

http://portal.radiobemba.org/



Ventana a Mi Comunidad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpCp1tDaZ6I

On April 7, two radio reporters from a recently installed community radio were ambushed in Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, and shot to death. Teresa Bautista Flores, 24, and Felicitas Martínez, 20, two women journalists working for La Voz que Rompe el Silencio (“The Voice that Breaks the Silence”), were murdered allegedly by paramilitary forces. Three other people were wounded in the shooting: Jaciel Vázquez, aged 3, and his parents.In an interview with Radio Bemba in Sonora, Mexico, Jorge Albino, coordinator of La Voz que Rompe el Silencio said that the radio station had been receiving death threats since its inception. The station was inagurated on January 20 to serve the Trique indigenous community in San Juan Copala, a year after the locality was granted administrative autonomy.The Mexican branch of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) said there have been acts of violence against other small radio stations belonging to indigenous groups in Oaxaca, such as Radio Nandia in 2006 and Radio Calenda in 2007. Repoters Without Borders, an international organization created to defend press freedom and journalists under threat, reported that risks run by the press in Oaxaca state are common, where the political climate continues to be tense.Two journalists were murdered in Oaxaca during a major wave of protests against state governor Ulíses Ruiz Ortíz in 2006. They were Indymedia reporter and U.S. citizen Bradley Will, and Raúl Marcial Pérez, an indigenous community leader and columnist for the regional daily El Gráfico. No one has been brought to justice for their murders.La Voz que Rompe el Silencio is considered a vital instrument to establish the peace in the region, said Jorge Albino in his interview with Radio Bemba. “The blood of our colleagues were not shed in vain. In fact, it is with their blood that we will continue our work, boost the radio for the betterment of the Triquis community,” he said.Oaxacan women rose to international prominence in 2006 when they led the takeover of a TV station during the people’s uprising in Oaxaca city. What started as a women-only march on August 1, culminated in the peaceful seizing of the state-owned television station, Channel 9. For three months, they collectively ran the station and opened a forum of discussion on the airwaves previously innaccesible to the community. Their media revolution was only haltered when the Mexican government decided to attack their own station, destroying the antenna and effectively taking them off the air. Taking over the communications broadcasting system, including several radio stations, has been heralded as a symbol of the popular movement in Oaxaca.The Triqui indigenous people of San Juan Copala in southern Oaxaca, saw their first radio station, La Voz que Rompe el Silencio, as a major victory of their struggle. When the community declared itself an autonomous region on January 21, 2007, it vowed to stay independent from any party affiliation or influence, creating even a Police of the Community (Policia Comunitaria) to replace government armed forces in the region. The radio was to serve the Triquis people to promote unity, overcome conflicts, and encourage communication among communities, including those that are not formally members of the autonomous region. The radio stressed from the beginning the importance of promoting diversity within the station with the participation of women and particularly, the youth.Jorge Albino reported to Radio Bemba that the two murdered journalists were in fact focusing on the process of indigenous autonomy, including health and bilingual education. Fearing the state of impunity in the region, radio administrators have circumvented local authorities and requested for a federal investigation into the murders.(Photo: D.R. 2006 Nancy Davies. Triqui women in the Oaxaca zocalo.)FOR MORE INFORMATION:The Triquis Inaugurate Their New Autonomous Municipality, by Nancy DaviesRadio BembaVentana a Mi Comunidad

"dicen que somos muy jovenes para saber, pero deben de saber que somos muy jovenes para morir"

(They say we are too young to know, but they should know we are very young to die)



These were some of the first words broadcasted by the young women who were part of Radio Copala, "La Voz que Rompe el Silencio" (the voice that breaks the silence), and whom were assassinated this past Sunday by paramilitary forces operating in Oaxaca. Although the community of San Juan Copala has been subject to assassinations, disappearances and various forms of repression since becoming an autonomous municipality a little over a year ago, this has been the first attack more or less directly against the community radio.



Radio Copala was born with the celebration of the first anniversary of the autonomous municipality of San Juan Copala this past January 19th and 20th. Based out of a forgotten room in a dusty building which previously had served as the post office, Radio Copala was built from scratch by the hands of Triqui women and children who daily continue the struggle against government and paramilitary forces who wish to exterminate the seeds of indigenous autonomy. Broadcasting with only 5 wats of power, Radio Copala was nevertheless able to reach nearby triqui pueblos, and served (and continues to serve) as a crucial source of bilingual news, information, music, culture, etc... But just as indybay inevitably gets checked by cops, Radio Copala was most likely being monitored by paramilitaries this past Sunday April 6th, which led to the precision assassinations of Felicitas and Teresa. La voz que rompe el silencio, the voice that breaks the silence, will not be silenced by the blood of these two young women:



R.I.P. Fecilitas y Teresa,



Feli y Tere, ustedes son mis amigas, son mis compañeras. Caminé con ustedes, con la radio, desde principio, y estaré con ustedes para siempre. luchabamos juntos, llorabamos juntos y jamas las olvidaré."



“QUE SU SANGRE SEA SEMILLA DE LIBERTAD…” SAN ROMERO DE AMERICA



If you want to find out more information, get involved or have media or other useful contacts for spreading the story of San Juan Copala, please contact me. Volunteers and/or people on the ground in Oaxaca are URGENTLY needed NOW. Spanish skills and skills/experience with things like radio, computers, networking, basic electricity (and a basic notion of la lucha en Mexico/Oaxaca) preferred. Right now a West and East coast speaking tour is in the works for the fall, but other ideas are welcome too.

Felicitas is furthest left, Teresa third from left.

The first broadcasts of Radio Copala during the 1st anniversary of the municipo autonomo de San Juan Copala. Fecilitas is wearing the camo shirt facing away from the camera in the foreground.

Viva Radio Copala::Viva Radio Comunitario

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA



ALTO A LA REPRESION EN OAXACA



El clima de violencia represiva que sufrimos los pueblos de Oaxaca se ha incrementado en los últimos meses. Los secuestros, detenciones y asesinatos son en Oaxaca una política de Estado, con la cual el Gobierno de Ulises Ruiz busca frenar la lucha legitima de nuestros pueblos.

Los recientes asesinatos de los líderes indígenas Placido López Castro, Lauro Juárez y Rosalino Díaz son sólo una muestra de la violencia que se vive de manera cotidiana en nuestro estado. A estos brutales crímenes que permanecen hasta ahora en la impunidad, se suma la muerte de nuestras compañeras Teresa Bautista Merino y Felicitas Martínez Sánchez quienes fueron emboscadas y asesinadas el pasado 7 de Abril.



El asesinato de nuestras compañeras, quienes eran locutoras de la Radio Triqui, La Voz que Rompe el Silencio, radio patrocinada por el Ayuntamiento Autónomo de San Juan Copala, fue perpetrado en las proximidades de Llano Juárez, Juxtlahuaca, zona donde ha sido denunciada la actuación de una banda de pistoleros ligada al partido Unidad Popular , este es un acto más de represión del Gobierno que encabeza Ulises Ruiz.



Ante este nuevo crimen de estado, demandamos una investigación a fondo y el castigo de los autores materiales e intelectuales del mismo, para ello demandamos públicamente que la investigación sobre este nuevo hecho de sangre que conmueve a la región triqui sea atraída por la Fiscalía Especializada para la Atención de Delitos cometidos en contra de periodistas y por la visitaduría de la CNDH relacionada con atentados en contra de los comunicadores.



Como parte de la situación que priva en nuestro estado, en diferentes cárceles se encuentran injustamente detenidos nuestros compañeros, Pedro Castillo Aragón, Flavio Sosa, Adán Mejía López, Miguel Ángel García, Miguel Juan Hilaria, Víctor Hugo Martínez Toledo, Roberto Cárdenas Rosas, Reynaldo Martínez Álvarez, Juliantino Martínez García, Homero Castro López, Constantino Castro López y Abraham Ramírez Vázquez de quienes exigimos su inmediata liberación. Asimismo exigimos la cancelación de órdenes de aprehensión libradas en contra de cientos de indígenas y dirigentes sociales.



La impunidad, la fabricación de culpables y la indiscriminada liberación de ordenes de aprehensión y otros actos de hostigamiento contra líderes sociales y comunitarios, configuran en Oaxaca una política parapolicial y represiva, violatoria de las garantías constitucionales, los derechos humanos y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas.



Por lo cual exigimos:



1.- Castigo para los responsables materiales e intelectuales de los asesinatos de nuestros compañeros y compañeras Felicitas Martínez, Teresa Bautista, Lauro Juárez, Rosalino Díaz y Placido López Castro.

2.-La liberación inmediata de nuestros compañeros injustamente detenidos y la cancelación de cientos de ordenes de aprehensión libradas en contra de dirigentes sociales y representantes de pueblos indígenas.

3.- La presentación con vida de las compañeras triquis Virginia y Daniela Ortiz García, desaparecidas desde el mes de Julio del 2007

4.-Intervención inmediata en estos crímenes de la Procuraduría General de la República de acuerdo a sus facultades legales.

5.- El cese a la represión del Gobierno de Ulises Ruiz en contra del movimiento social en Oaxaca y el respeto pleno al derecho a la Autonomía de los pueblos Indios.





BASTA YA DE REPRESION EN OAXACA



Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax. A 9 de Abril del 2008



Ayuntamiento Autónomo de San Juan Copala, Red de Radios Comunitarias Indígenas del Sureste de México, CODECI, OIDHO, Autoridades Municipales de Yosotatu, CACTUS, Centro de Orientación y Asesoria a los Pueblos Indígenas COAPI, Asoc. Nacional de Abogados Democráticos, AMAP, MAIZ, UCIZONI, CAMA, Codedi´Xanica, Radio Ayuuk, Radio Huave, Frente de Pueblos del Istmo en Defensa de la tierra, Radio Triqui, CEDAPI. Consejo de Organizaciones y Pueblos de la Chinantla, Bienes comunales de Chalcatongo, Bienes Comunales de San Juan Yaveo, Comite de Presos Politicos de Ixcotel, Alianza Magonista Zapatista, estudiantes de la UABJO, Comisión Magisterial de derechos Humanos de la Secc. 22 del SNTE, Radio Arco Iris

CENTRO DE APOYO COMUNITARIO TRABAJANDO UNIDOS (CACTUS)

BOLETIN DE PRENSA 1

8 DE ABRIL DEL 2008.





“QUE SU SANGRE SEA SEMILLA DE LIBERTAD…”

SAN ROMERO DE AMERICA.





El Centro de Apoyo Comunitario Trabajando Unidos (CACTUS), manifestamos nuestro repudio y dolor por el asesinato de nuestras compañeras y Hermanas Indígenas triquis; FELICITAS MARTINEZ SANCHEZ y TERESA BAUTISTA MERINO, quienes cumpliendo con un cargo comunitario se desempeñaban como Locutoras de la radio Comunitaria; “la voz que rompe el silencio”, ubicada en el Municipio autónomo de San Juan Copala, Oaxaca.



CACTUS demanda una investigación a fondo de esto hechos y exige castigo para los autores materiales e intelectuales que atentan contra la libertad de expresión de nuestros pueblos indígenas, con esto se demuestra una vez más el clima de violencia y represión que se vive en el Estado de Oaxaca, siempre con el encubrimiento de las instituciones en todos sus niveles, por lo que exigimos que la Procuraduría General de la Republica sea quien atraiga este caso, la Procuraduría Estatal no garantiza imparcialidad.



FELICITAS Y TERESA; locutoras de la radio comunitaria cumplían con un cargo asignado por su comunidad y por su voz se escuchaba la voz de muchas otras mujeres, no es justo que en este país no se respete la libertad de expresión, y se acabe con la vida de quien como mujeres indígenas tuvieron el valor y ejemplo de empujar el silencio y convertirlo en palabra.



LA VOZ QUE ROMPE EL SILENCIO, perteneciente a la Red de Radio y Televisión Comunitarias Indígenas del Sureste de Mexicano, así como también a la Red de Comunicadores Indígenas de la Región Mixteca-Triqui exigimos justicia.





¡NO MAS UNA OAXACA SIN MEDIOS LIBRES¡

CASTIGO A LOS CULPABLES DE ESTE ASESINATO.

ALTO A LA REPRESION E IMPUNIDAD.

EXIGIMOS SEGURIDAD PARA LOS Y LAS COMUNICADORES INDIGENAS



FELICITAS Y TERESA SU VOZ YA HA ROTO EL SILENCIO



ATENTAMENTE

AREA DE COMUNICACIÓN COMUNITARIA INDIGENA

CACTUS

