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.