In Chiapas, the incidence of incarcerated social fighters is astounding. In some cases, political enemies bribe legal officials and judges to incarcerate social fighters. In others, the government targets leaders of social movements. Some political prisoners report that they were tortured during interrogation, forcing them into self-incrimination. Others report that they were not provided with a translator and thus couldn’t defend themselves. All report some form of fabricated charges and lack of due process in court. Afterwards many political prisoners are physically and psychologically abused by prison guards and administrators. Their contact to the outside world is unlawfully restricted, preventing them from communicating with friends and family. Many file petitions for case revisions, but frequently the petitions are either delayed for long periods of time, or more often, arbitrarily denied.

On February 12th, 2008, Zacario Hernández Hernández went on hunger strike, demanding to be released from his unfair incarceration of 5 years, having been falsely accused of murder. He had been protesting his wrongful imprisonment for years, but took the hunger strike as a more drastic measure. Zacario is a member of “The Voice of Amate”, a group of 8 prisoners in resistance against institutional repression in Detention Center #14 in El Amate, Cintalapa. For the past two years, the group has set up a resistance camp in the prison courtyard. With great risk to their personal health, they have slept out in the open air underneath a plastic shelter, many times in the rain and cold. The camp has been accompanied by a detail of 8 guards ever since its establishment. “The Voice of Amate” has maintained communication with “The Other Campaign” and human rights groups, denouncing abuses committed within the prisons.

Since Zacario began his hunger strike, 36 other political prisoners have joined the protest. A few are on partial hunger strike due to diabetes and only eat 1 meal a day. There are hunger strikers in 3 prisons, 18 strikers in #14 El Amate, 9 strikers in #5 San Cristóbal de las Casas, and 12 in #17 Playas de Catazajá. They have announced that they will only drink honey water and will refuse medical attention until their cases are revised. They have also committed to continue the hunger strike until death if necessary. Several groups, including civil associations and human rights centers are holding Governor Sabines personally responsible for the health of the strikers.

The hunger strike has generated a large grassroots response. “The Other” has occupied San Cristóbal´s Cathedral plaza weekends in a row. The first weekend, family members of the prisoners occupied the square in hunger strike from 9am until 9pm. Also, the “Zapayasos” (roughly: Zapatista Clowns), a local political theater group, have been performing their new play about political prisoners in the public square. At all demonstrations large quantities of flyers and pamphlets have been produced and distributed. Although the demonstrations have been getting a good amount of independent media attention, they are still underrepresented in traditional media sources.

In addition, close to 30 organizations from “The Other Campaign” have sent delegations to the three prisons to communicate their solidarity with the political prisoners and to apply pressure on prison authorities, as well as carry resources such as telephone cards and honey. The largest delegation so far was a march of 500 indigenous supporters carrying wooden crosses. However, prison authorities heavily harass visitors, especially foreigners, making personal threats and arbitrarily refusing entry. Visitors report that during visits the prison authorities gather extensive personal information and take many photos of visitors. Most recently prisons have restricted visits to individuals who know the prisoners, and won’t admit groups. Newspaper “La Jornada” was refused entry during one visit, the authorities stating that “authorization need to come from the offices in Tuxtla first” but were assured that the prisoners “have everything they need, and nobody is maltreating them”.

On March 16th, local political collective “El Barko Pirata” (The Pirate Ship) visited El Amate prison and reported on the situation inside. Visitors need to cross 4 security checkpoints before reaching the prison courtyard. The 8 guards surrounding the camp were constantly applying psychological pressure “Get up already. Wouldn’t you like to eat some carne asada or chicken with mole? We’ll give you whatever you like” It has also been reported that doctors and psychologists have been applying psychological pressure during the hunger strike. Those who conversed with Zacario reported that “…he had to stop between every sentence, breath, swallow, and gather strength in order to continue speaking...” They also stated “…they lack the strength to make hammocks, haversacks, embroideries, and everything they normally make to generate income.”

On March 11th, the prison director of El Amate ordered prison bars to be put up around the protest encampment in order to enclose and isolate them. That night there was an unexplained power outage. Near chaos broke out in the inmate population when rumor spread that the guards were going to come to take the strikers away and distribute them in other prisons. Cellmates began throwing objects out their windows down onto the guards. The next day the director returned and ordered the bars to be removed. Afterwards, various prisoners expressed their solidarity with the strikers “Whatever it is, whenever it is, we will help”. Hunger strikers communicated that they feel safer knowing there are other prisoners willing to defend them.

All of this activity has compelled the government to take at least ostensible action to respond to the public’s demands. On March 18th, a ‘Reconciliation Table’ was convened to review 360 cases requesting verdict changes. The table stated that revisions will take ‘up to 30 days’, failing to recognize the urgency of the hunger strikers, some of whom had already gone without food for 34 days at the time. Nevertheless, the next day Zacario was released along with 4 other prisoners accused of the same crime. News sources publicized that Zacario broke his hunger strike in order to be released, having eaten the day before. This was one of many media tactics to convince the hunger strikers to cease their protest. It was not widely publicized that Zacario had already been given documents guaranteeing his freedom when he commenced eating again.

The current Bishop Feliz Arizmendi Esquivel called the liberation a “first step” in improving the legal system, but clarified that not all of the applicants will attain freedom, for some are indeed guilty of the crimes they were charged with. “The Voice of Amate” criticized the current bishop for his compliance with the government, and stated “It hurts that somebody supposedly of moral character has fallen into manipulation of the state. The previous Bishop Samuel Ruiz García would never say anything like that. We aren’t criminals. We only request that our situation be handled fairly.” It is yet to be seen which of the 360 applicants will be released, but it is obvious that not all are political victims of the state. Some of the applicants for case revisions are paramilitaries who committed the Acteal massacre and others are former leaders of murderous paramilitary group “Peace and Justice”.

Hunger strikers and supporters of “The Other Campaign” rejoiced at Zacario’s release as victory for the movement, and stated that the remaining 36 hunger strikers were going to continue “until the very end”, be it their release or their death. The struggle has only gained vigor with the recent victory. Public demonstrations and hunger strikes are being held in D.F. and Oaxaca in support of the prisoners. Family members have set up a resistance camp in front of the Capitol Building in Tuxtla and stronger political pressures, including more protests and delegations, are being arranged. In addition, two diabetic prisoners in the state of Tabasco are joining the hunger strike, at great risk to their personal health. Whatever happens, government response will be receiving much attention.