December 13, 2005

Ask Amnesty: Environmental Activist and Prisoner of Conscience Felipe Arreaga

Monica Campbell, a freelance journalist based in Mexico City, recently interviewed Mexican environmental activist and former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience Felipe Arreaga after his release from 10 months of unjust detention for murder.

Mr. Arreaga was one of the founders of the Peasant Environmentalist Organization of the Sierra de Petatlán (OCESP) and has been active in his defense of the area’s forests for the last 7 years. Amnesty International believes that the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Arreaga was in retaliation for his peaceful struggle to prevent excessive logging of the region’s forests.

Mr. Arreaga’s acquittal is owed to the determination of his family, their defense lawyers from the Tlachinollan Mountain Human Rights Centre (Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan) and national and international pressure demanding justice.

Please join us from 3:00-4:00 PM Eastern on Tuesday, December 13th to talk with Ms. Campbell about her interview with Mr. Arreaga.

Learn more about Mr. Arreaga's case. »

Featured Guest: Monica Campbell

From our featured guest: "I look forward to speaking with you on December 13."

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Question Submitted by Ericath Benitez:

What can we do to help?

Monica Campbell answers:

Good question. You’ve already helped just by being interested in Arreaga’s case. Following how his case and the state of Guerrero’s anti-deforestation movement in general develop is also important. With all that goes on in the world, the environmental and human rights problems affecting an isolated part of Mexico can easily remain under the radar. Speaking with other people about the situation in Guerrero can help spark more awareness. There’s also the option of sending your thoughts about the case directly to the Mexican government or to environmental and human right groups. Getting involved in Amnesty International’s letter-writing campaign is another option.
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Question Submitted by adriana:

Has the violation of human rights increased during the Fox's administration?

Monica Campbell answers:

Dear Adriana:
That does not seem to be the case, according to reports by both domestic and international human rights groups. Government transparency in Mexico has improved, albeit gradually, under President Vicente Fox. This means that while human rights abuses continue, in the form of police brutality, for example, they are not kept from the public eye. Some channels do exist that allow the public to denounce such acts. Fox also has appointed special prosecutors to investigate some of Mexico’s more worrying crimes, namely the string of young women murdered in Ciudad Juarez.

Mexico’s government is far from perfect, it is still in the process of democratization, but it is important to note that Fox’s government ended the authoritarian Institutional Revolutionary Party’s long rule over Mexico. The PRI’s rule was stained by several dark moments, including a “dirty war,” which lasted from the 1960s to the 1980s, and targeted political dissidents. Many of the disappearance and murders committed during that time are still being solved.

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Question Submitted by Frances:

Has the Mexican government threatened to detain Sr. Arreaga if he speaks out again? Rather, is he fearful of what the gov't might do if he continues to be outspoken about excessive logging and deforestation?

Monica Campbell answers:

The federal government and top state-level officials in Guerrero have yet to be charged recently by human rights groups with making threats against Arreaga. It is hard to say what is happening at lower-rung state government and municipal levels, which can be difficult to monitor and even tougher to make accountable for egregious acts. Arreaga is aware of the risks he runs by continuing to speak out against deforestation and is keeping a low profile for now.
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Question Submitted by Sarah:

How does Amnesty take a stand on helping both Mr. Felipe Arreaga and other prisoners of conscience?

Monica Campbell answers:

Dear Sarah:
Yes. I recommend looking at the Amnesty International website for more information regarding the anti-deforestation activists in Guerrero, along with letter-writing campaigns.
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Question Submitted by anonymous:

In light of the government's involvement in fabricating evidence against Mr. Arreaga, does he feel confident that the same government can assure his safety now that he is out of prison?

Monica Campbell answers:

Arreaga does not have confidence in the government and its ability to protect him or his family. This is why he must keep a low profile. He, like many other impoverished Mexicans living in isolated parts of the country, feels marginalized and ignored by the government. That said, Arreaga says that he did initially approach state authorities with his environmental concerns and was quickly let down by their aloof attitude.

Arreaga is more willing to work with local and foreign non-governmental groups, such as the “Tlachinollan” La Montaña Human Rights Center, headquartered in Guerrero. He believes that these groups can act more independently than local politicians and do more to help raise the international awareness needed in order to help protect him.
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Question Submitted by unknown:

Does Mr. Arreaga plan to continue his activism now that he is out of jail?

Monica Campbell answers:

Arreaga told me that he will continue to raise awareness about Guerrero’s deteriorating environmental situation. His actions may not mirror the protests he led in the past, i.e., blocking the roads that lumber trucks use to access the mountains. He is now more interested in building education programs, both in the city and countryside, to raise environmental awareness. He also plans to build a large nursery in the Guerrero highlands that would feature the area’s indigenous flora and fauna. Celsa, Arreaga’s wife, is also leading the way here, with similar activities planned. She also leads a group of female farmers who are increasingly concerned about deforestation.
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Question Submitted by Kate:

While Mr. Arreaga was in prison, was he aware that Amnesty International had become involved in his case? Does he have any sense that AI's activists were effective in advocating for his release?

Monica Campbell answers:

Dear Kate:
AI representatives visited Arreaga regularly when he was jailed. He told me that he was extremely appreciative of the group’s efforts to help release him from jail and move his case into the international spotlight.
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Question Submitted by Monica:

Have you ever been restricted to interview a particular person in a particular setting?

Monica Campbell answers:

It's more that I seriously consider the context in which I interview people and how that setting may put them in a difficult situation. For example, I interviewed Arreaga in an undisclosed location that I would not reveal. As a journalist, you must be extremely appreciative of the fact that people are willing to talk to you.
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Question Submitted by Beatriz:

Dear Ms. Campbell, Do you know the details about how the police framed Arreaga, accusing him of having committed murder? Specifically, any false witnesses? Yes (in case you were wondering), this is a "pointed" question. As a criminal lawyer, I have considerable interest in the answer.

Monica Campbell answers:

Dear Beatriz:
This is a question better answered by Felipe Arreaga's lawyer. It is possible that an AI represenative could put you in contact with him.
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