The August 12, 2009 decision of the Mexican Supreme Court to release 20 of those convicted of the massacre at Acteal and to put in action a process that may release 31 more has revealed the inability of the Mexican State to deal with major human rights violations and has opened the door to impunity for this crime against humanity.

International human rights bodies like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS no longer have an excuse not to act. Mexico has shown that justice cannot be achieved within its own system.

Please take a moment to send this message to the CIDH.

Dear Sirs and Madams:

Recently members of our community have visited the people of Acteal in the township of Chenalho, state of Chiapas, Mexico.

All the world knows of the horrible events which occurred there on the 22nd of December, 1997, when paramilitaries killed 45 helpless and non-violent persons belonging to the Civil Society of the Abejas who were taking refuge from persecution in this village. Less people are aware of the fear and uncertainty in which the people of Acteal live today.

Now the Supreme Court of the Mexican Nation has released 29 of the persons convicted of this crime on the grounds of flawed investigations; and it has begun a process for the release of more. There is no indication of a will to retry these persons based on valid evidence. The intellectual authors of this crime have never been investigated or brought to justice. No one can now deny that the Mexican system of justice has failed the victims of Acteal and that violators of human rights in that country enjoy impunity.

Some time ago the community of Acteal petitioned your organization to investigate and hold hearings over these matters. Now that the Mexican Supreme Court has acted we urge that you respond quickly and positively to their complaint and  to extend protection to the survivors, the relatives of the victims and the leaders of the Abejas and to bring the results of your investigation before the Inter-American Court.