Residents of the rural community of Llano de Sabino requested urgent action after accusing the municipal president of Santa María Apazco, Eduardo García Santiago, members of his council, and municipal police officers of institutional violence and serious aggressions against Indigenous Mixtec women.
The community authority, members of the Council of Elders, and the Community Committee of Santa María Apazco, Nochixtlán, with the support of Aserlitigio, reported that on June 19, around midday, “the municipal president, accompanied by his council and supported by local security personnel (who were also allegedly under the influence of alcohol), led a violent confrontation in collusion with members of the FDP.”
According to the complaint, during these events, Indigenous Mixtec women from the community were physically, verbally, and psychologically assaulted, leaving them with bodily injuries and in a highly vulnerable condition.
Authorities Accused of Abuse of Power
Aserlitigio stated that the seriousness of the situation lies in the fact that the alleged aggressors are the very authorities responsible for maintaining security and order in the municipality. This, they argue, constitutes a serious violation of human rights, an excessive abuse of authority, and institutionalized gender-based violence against a historically protected population.
Demands to State Authorities
The affected residents called on civil society organizations and human rights groups to make the situation visible and demand the immediate intervention of the relevant authorities.
They demanded that the Oaxaca State Attorney General’s Office (FGEO) immediately open an investigation into alleged crimes including bodily harm, abuse of authority, gender-based violence, and any other offenses that may apply against the municipal president and security personnel.
They also requested the deployment of a forensic physician and investigative personnel to legally certify the victims’ injuries and guarantee their access to justice without revictimization.
Requests to the Human Rights Ombudsman
The community asked the Ombudsman’s Office for Human Rights of the People of Oaxaca to issue urgent precautionary and protective measures to safeguard the lives and physical and psychological integrity of the assaulted women, their families, and witnesses, due to the risk of retaliation from municipal authorities.
They also requested that human rights observers be sent to the area to document what they described as systematic violations of the rights of the Indigenous community.
Requests to the State and Federal Governments
The residents demanded intervention from the State Government of Oaxaca, specifically through the Ministry of Government (SEGO), to guarantee governance and stop what they describe as abuses of power committed by the municipal administration of Santa María Apazco.
Additionally, they called on federal authorities, including the National Guard and the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), to deploy federal security personnel to ensure public order, freedom of movement, and protection for residents against armed municipal officers allegedly acting under the influence of alcohol.
Background of the Municipal Administration
It is worth noting that municipal president Eduardo García Santiago assumed office amid protests and dissatisfaction from a group of residents and auxiliary authorities who alleged irregularities and an imposed electoral process.
Source: proceso
