OCTOBER 1994


Between June 1991 and February 1993, at least 11 gay men were killed in the locality of Tuxtla Gutierrez, state of Chiapas. According to evidence gathered by gay and lesbian rights groups, all the crimes presented similar characteristics, indicating a pattern of violence directed specifically at the gay community in the area.

Witnesses claim that at least another four violent deaths conform to this pattern of violence, although this was not acknowledged by the authorities. Common to all these crimes is the fact that the victims belonged to a marginalized and, on the whole, economically deprived sector of Mexican society, a sector which has for many years suffered harassment and abuses. Lesbians, gays, transvestites and transsexuals are not the only targets of this type of abuse in Mexico, but they are often targetted solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. The investigations have been riddled from the start with administrative and other serious irregularities. According to information received by Amnesty International, at least three of those detained in connection with these killings claim they were tortured or ill-treated in order to make them confess to being involved. Four of the police officials allegedly implicated are reported to have been promoted and to be working for various government bodies in Chiapas and other states.

The special prosecutor appointed in April 1994 by the governor of Chiapas to continue investigations resigned in June 1994, on grounds that he had not received any support from the local authorities. The killing in May 1994 of another man in circumstances consistent with the pattern of killings of gay men, underlines the ineffectiveness of the measures taken to date by the Chiapas authorities to protect the gay population and the witnesses to these crimes. In view of the serious procedural and administrative irregularities which have marked these investigations since the beginning - including the arbitrary imprisonment of three people and the torture and ill-treatment of these and others allegedly accused - Amnesty International has grounds to believe that the Chiapas authorities have failed in their obligation to investigate these crimes impartially, thoroughly and promptly, thus granting virtual impunity to those responsible.

Despite the lack of incontrovertible evidence indicating that the Mexican authorities are directly responsible for these crimes, the systematic failure to bring those truly responsible to justice suggests that the perpetrators have acted with the tolerance and even the possible complicity of the state authorities. Amnesty International urges the Mexican authorities to appoint a new special prosecutor to continue investigations promptly and impartially; to bring those responsible for these killings before the courts and to investigate thoroughly the allegations of torture made by those detained in connection with the killings; and to take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical integrity of members of the gay community in Chiapas and of witnesses to these and other possible human rights abuses against this community.

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