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Statement by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the Vigil for Mexican Environmentalists Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera June 8, 2000
Mr. Montiel and Mr. Cabrera have been locked in prison for over a year because of their efforts to stop the logging of old-growth forests in the Mexican state of Guerrero. They were arrested, allegedly beaten and tortured by members of the 40th Infantry Battalion of the Mexican Army, who then forced them into confessing involvement with an armed opposition group and illegal possession of weapons. The legal case against them is based entirely on confessions they signed as a result of the alleged torture. A few years ago, peasant farmers in the state of Guerrero began to realize that their fields no longer produced adequate harvests, their rivers had been polluted with garbage and toxic fumes, and there was a severe water shortage due to the massive logging operation by a U.S.-based lumber company. Rodolfo Montiel founded an organization to protect these natural resources. The organization adopted an approach, which included promoting environmental awareness, reforesting exploited land and challenging excessive logging through peaceful protests. They filed complaints with local and federal government officials but were met with silence from the government. Mr. Montiel stated that, "We thought the government would listen to our complaints. This wasn't just for our benefit, but also for them and their families..." The farmers organized several actions to block the roads to prevent the transport of lumber in peaceful protest. The protests were successful and caused the U.S.-based lumber company to withdraw citing "difficult working conditions." Soon after, soldiers began to threaten and harass Rodolfo Montiel and his family until his arrest last May. Mr. Montiel and Mr. Cabrera have been declared "Prisoners of Conscience" by Amnesty International. Mr. Montiel is also a recent recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize (often called the Nobel Prize for the environment) for his courageous activism and commitment to the environment. In acceptance of this award, he wrote the following words from his prison cell in Mexico:
President Zedillo, we urge you to use your good office to ensure that Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera are immediately and unconditionally released as we believe they are Prisoners of Conscience. We also urge you to ensure that a transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations of torture is carried out and that those found responsible for possible violations are promptly brought to justice. This is an opportunity to reassure the citizens of Mexico and the international community that your government continues to be committed to protecting the human rights of citizens, including those that speak out on behalf of Mexico's environment and natural heritage. See also the letter from Representative Nancy Pelosi to Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
Tonight, I stand with the Sierra Club, Amnesty International and the
people of Mexico to call on the President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo, to assure the
immediate and unconditional release of Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera.