Tribunal Denounces Privatization, Pollution and Plundering of Mexico's Water Alfredo Acedo - CIP Americas
go to original September 30, 2013

Hundreds of members of organizations fighting social and environmental catastrophes in their communities denounced a “national emergency” in Mexico’s water systems. Participants in the national hearing of the Permanent People’s Tribunal, Mexico chapter on the “Devastation of National Hydrologic Systems” held in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Sept. 20.

The Tribunal, headquartered in Rome and inspired by the Russell Tribunal that judged war committed in Vietnam war, is considered an “ethical tribunal”, meaning that although its sentences are not legally binding, it seeks to bring to light human rights violations against the peoples, coordinate and provide a public forum to citizen’s complaints, and pressure governments to assume responsibility for their acts.

The Mexico chapter is hearing cases of abuse of power by the Mexican state in benefit of national and foreign companies and attacks on the rights of the population. It is divided into seven areas: dirty war, structural violence and impunity; violence against migrants and forced displacement; femicide and gender violence; workplace violence and violations; destruction of agriculture and native corn; environmental destruction; and misinformation, censure and violence against journalists to document nationwide violations of rights generated particularly in the context of the North American Free Trade Agreement (1994) that opened up the country to foreign investment and the entry on a massive scale of transnational corporations.

The cases presented to a panel of experts reflect serious social problems that are hidden in the media and unattended by federal and local governments. They also provide a basis for further potential legal actions in national and international courts.

Read the rest at CIP Americas

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