ATTACKS ON CODEP IN OAXACA, MEXICO

Early day motion 1776, tabled 30 June 2009 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 26 members.

That this House condemns the assassination in the largely indigenous state of Oaxaca, Mexico, of Sergio Martinez Vasquez and the beating almost to death of Agustin Rios Cruz, both members of CODEP, the Committee in Defense of the Rights of the People; notes that this is not the first time human rights advocates have been targeted, including Marcos García Macedas, also of CODEP, who survived an assassination attempt, and US cameraman Brad Will, who was shot dead while filming, both in 2006; further notes that paramilitaries connected with state governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz and multinational development plans for the area have been blamed for the murders; deplores the campaign of intimidation against Jaquelina Lopez Almazan, Samuel Hernandez Morales and other members of CODEP; and urges the British Government to make representations demanding justice and an end to this repression.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 4, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1.