Friends,

We bring you this report about the recent escalation of

hostilities in

Chiapas including the dispatch of more soldiers of the

Mexican Army to

the conflicted Selva Lacandona (Lacondon Jungle) region.

Representatives of over 30 human rights organizations in

Chiapas are

responding to the increase of of hostilities,

confrontations, harassment

and assassinations in indigenous communities. On August

28 two human

rights accompaniment and observation caravans left San

Cristóbal de Las

Casas, Chiapas for the municipalities of Ricardo Flores

Magon, San

Miguel and Olga Isabel to investigate the current

situation in the

region. We will continue to bring you updates.

In this update please find:

1) Background information and current reports

2) Action YOU can take

3) Press Communique issued by on August 27, 2002 by

human rights

organizations in Chiapas

4) Conflicts in Chiapas signal lack of dialogue, AFP -

8/30/2002

For more information please contact Carleen at

carleen@globalexchange.org.

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1) Background information and current reports

In the last two weeks, the conflict in Chiapas has

escalated,

culminating in confrontations, forced displacement and

the murders of 3

Zapatistas. The Human Rights Center 'Fray Bartolome de

las Casas'

reports that the number dead is 5. Old paramilitary

groups have

reactivated, while others, like the OPDIC, have appeared

publicly for

the first time. The paramilitaries' actions have been

complimented by

the deployment of hundreds of additional Mexican

soldiers throughout

the