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Recognizing those who defend human rights in Mexico: CETLALIC is honored to participate.
XV National Don Sergio Mendez Arceo Human Rights Award was presented to Ignacio del Valle and Frente de Pueblos en Defensa de la Tierra, for safeguarding
the land and preventing their town (San Salvador Atenco) and its history, culture and natural resources from being buried under airport pavement that the federal
government of Vincente Fox (200-2006) was proposing to build.
Ignacio del Valle's wife, Trinidad (Triny) received the award on his behalf. Ignacio del Valle is currently in prison for political reasons.
Recognition was given to the Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO) for their fight on behalf of and in defense of the human rights of the Oaxacan people.
Lydia Cacho, a journalist for more than 20 years, feminist, and director of the Women's Comprhensive Care Center (CIAM), has worked against violence against women. In her book, "The Demons of Eden," Ms. Cacho reported about a child prostitution and pornography network led by Jean Sucar Kufi, along with powerful businessmen and PRI party politicians. She was politically imprisoned for this by Puebla Governor Mario Marn, friend of Camel Nacif, who has questionable business relations with Jean Sucar Kuri. Lydia Cacho was presented with the 2006 Don Sergio Award for her bravery, professionalism, and deep social and ethical commitments.
Lydia Cacho, winner of the
2006 Don Sergio Human Rights Award.
Barbara Zamora, lawyer and defender
of Indigenour and farmer rights, winner of the XIII Don Sergio's
Human Rights Award
in 2005.
Special recognition was given to
the Boing Soft Drink Workers Cooperative in 2005, for their
fight against Coca Cola and defense of workers' rights.
CETLALIC families are always present
at the Don Sergio Awards ceremony and process.
Frente Civico ProCasino de la Selva,
winners of the XII Don Sergio´s Human Rights Award in
2004. The Frente was honored for their fight against the COSTCO
company and defense of the state of Morelos' rich environment
and culture.
Women for Mexico in Chihuahua,
winners
of the XI Don Sergio´s
Human Rights Award in 2003.
Ofelia Medina, winner of 1995 Don
Sergio Award, with CETLALIC staff.
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Morelos is known as one of the most politically active
states in the Republic of México. The history of our State
goes back to the prehispanic age when the Nahua group of the Tlahuicas
were in this region, posing as sugarcane workers of the conquistador
Hernan Cortés. Later the siege of Cuautla led by the mulatto
priest of Michoacán, José María Morelos y Pavón
during the War of Independence gave the State of Morelos its' name.
Perhaps Morelos' history of activism is best exemplified by the
armed peasant struggle led by General Emiliano Zapata Salazar during
the Mexican Revolution.
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Don Sergio Mendez Arceo, VII Bishop of
Cuernavaca (1952 - 1982), fought in defense of human rights
in Mexico and Latin America throughout his life. He was the
first to emit a decree excommunicating those involved in the
horrendous act of torture, on April 17, 1981. |
Liberation theology and Base Christian Communities
also play an important role in the political activism of our State.
The seventh Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Cuernavaca, Monseñor
Sergio Méndez Arceo was a visionary of liberation theology
and a staunch supporter of the BCCs. The fight for independent unions
in Morelos gained national acclaim, and Don Sergio's solidary and
support of the union struggle was well known.
Because of his simple and activist life, Méndez
was recognized by all as a bishop who defended causes of justice
and stood against authoritarianism. He was known for his preferential
option for the poor, and because of that his enemies called him
the “Red Bishop”, the “Communist Bishop”, or
the “Guerrilla Bishop”. But for those who identified with
him, he continues to be Don Sergio, the Father of Solidarity.
CETLALIC was born from the Mexican Solidarity Movement
toward Central America, and Don Sergio supported us from the beginning.
CETLALIC is more than a Spanish school, different
from the 30 other language schools in Cuernavaca. We are a project,
and what makes us different is our alternative nature; our option
for social justice causes; our birth in the Mexican solidarity movement
with Central America, especially El Salvador; our concern for contributing
to the creation of a more just world; our involvement in causes
that stand for justice and against neoliberalism and globalization;
our preservation of human values: respect, tolerance, brotherhood
/ sisterhood, solidarity, peace, diversity, integration, and more.
In CETLALIC, we seek to share information and raise
awareness through our classes.
On April 17th, 1981, Méndez excommunicated
all who practiced torture:
“On this good Friday of 1981, in keeping with
my duty as a pastor, a servant of the life and dignity of humankind,
I decree the punishment of excommunication to the torturers….”
“Among the gravest form by which one can offend
the smallest brother….his life, his integrity, and dignity,
is torture, physical and psychological….”
Since 1993 different organizations have promoted the
Don Sergio Méndez Arceo Prize for Human Rights. Winners are
organizations and individuals considered outstanding for their bravery
in the defense and promotion of a culture of respect for human rights
in our country.
Winners of the National Prize
| 1993 |
Monseñor Don Samuel Ruíz
(Diócesis de San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas)
y Doña Rosario Ibarra de Piedra (Comité Eureka),
México, DF |
| 1994 |
Padre Miguel Concha Malo, Mexico,
DF |
| 1995 |
Ofelia Medina (actriz), México,
DF |
| 1996 |
Don José Alvarez Icaza (CENCOS),
México, DF |
| 1997 |
General Brigadier J. Francisco Gallardo
(en prisión ese año), México DF |
| 1998 |
Grupo Sociedad Civil “Las Abejas”
de Chiapas |
| 1999 |
A Tod@s l@s participantes en la Consulta
Nacional por el Reconocimiento de los Derechos de los Pueblos
Indios y por el el fin de la guerra de exterminio. |
| 2000 |
Monseñor José Raúl
Vera López. |
| 2001 |
Teodoro Cabrera y Rodolfo Montiel
(campesinos ecologistas de Guerrero, en prisión ese año),
Petatlán, Guerrero. |
| 2002 |
Católicas por el Derecho a
Decidir de Mexico DF |
| 2003 |
Mujeres por México en Chihuahua,
Chihuahua. |
| 2004 |
Frente Cívico Pro Defensa
del Ex Casino de la Selva de Cuernavaca, Morelos |
| 2005 |
Bárbara Zamora (abogada del
Buffet Tierra y Libertad), de México DF |
| 2006 |
Lydia Cacho from Cancún, journalist who exposed a child prostitution and pornography network |
| 2007 |
Ignacio del Valle y Frente de Pueblos en Defensa de la Tierra,, for safeguarding the land and preventing their town (San Salvador Atenco) and its history, culture and natural resources from being buried under airport pavement that the federal government of Vincente Fox (200-2006) was proposing to build. |
Some of the organizations that promote this prize
are:
- Grupo de Estudio y Reflexión de Cuernavaca,
Morelos
- Centro de Derechos Humanos Don Sergio de Tejalpa,
Jiutepec, Morelos
- Grupo Sacerdotes Amigos de Don Sergio, de Cuernavaca,
Morelos
- Centro de Mujeres CIDHAL AC, de Cuernavaca, Morelos
- Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social (CENCOS)
de México, DF
- Secretariado Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad
con América Latina (SICSAL) de México DF
- Centro Antonio Montesinos (CAM) de México
DF
- Comité de Solidaridad Monseñor Romero,
de México, DF
- Academia Mexicana de Derechos Humanos AC (AMDH)
de México, DF
- Desarrollo Económico Social de los Mexicanos
Indígenas (DESMI) de San
- Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
- Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Bartolomé
de las Casas, de San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
- Ciudadanos en Acción por los Derechos Humanos
(CADHAC) de Monterrey, NL
- Instituto Mexicano para el Desarrollo Comunitario
(IMDEC) de Guadalajara, Jalisco.
And OF COURSE Centro Tlahuica de Lengua e Intercambio
Cultural AC (CETLALIC)
CETLALIC Administrator Martha Mata with students.
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