AMERICA/MEXICO - We must continue with the San Andres accords: appeal by Bishop Arizmendi

San Cristobal de las Casas (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel of San Cristobal de las Casas, launched an appeal to continue on with the accords of San Andres Larrainzar on indigenous issues, a problem that cannot be “dismissed”. Rather, dialogue and indigenous reform needs to be promoted. In an interview with Mexican news agency Notimex, on the occasion of the anniversary of the signing of these accords in the city of San Andres Larrainzar in 1996, Bishop Arizmendi said that it would be deplorable if there was no progress on the issue. “It is an issue that cannot remain sealed inside the freezer, but we must take it up as a point of departure to continue on with other updates to the accords.”
On the issue of the San Andres accords, Bishop Arizmendi has spoken on several occasions (see Fides 24/04/2010). Worldwide, there are 42 million indigenous people. In Mexico there are about 12 million, belonging to 56 recognized ethnic groups, who suffer grave attacks on their identity and their survival. The vast majority does not enjoy rights, including the right to health. They are the subject of anti-Christian and inhuman racism. Although there are some services for them, they are lacking in the areas of communication and education. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 17/02/2011)