CETLALIC Progressive Spanish Language School in Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Recognizing those who defend human rights in Mexico: CETLALIC is honored to participate.

Don Sergio Human Rights Award

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.

Don Sergio Human Rights Award
Ignacio del Valle's wife, Trinidad (Triny) received the award on his behalf. Ignacio del Valle is currently in prison for political reasons.

 

Don Sergio Human Rights Award
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.

 

Don Sergio Human Rights Award

 

Lydia Cacho, winner of the Don Sergio Mendez Arceo Human Rights Award in 2006

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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Ofelia Medina, winner of 1995 Don Sergio Award, with CETLALIC staff.

 

 

 
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Don Sergio Mendez Arceo Human Rights Award

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.

Don Sergio Mendez Arceo
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.
CETLALIC Administrator Martha Mata with students.

 

 

 

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