In another episode of conflict between the inhabitants of Telchaquillo, Yucatán, and federal government authorities over the possession of the Mayapán Archaeological Zone, the ejidatarios (shareholders of common land) of that town reported alleged pressure and attempts at harassment by the authorities.
On Monday, March 3, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in the company of someone who presented himself as the Secretary of Government of the State of Yucatán, arrived at the Mayapán archaeological site, property of the community of Telchaquillo, to harass and pressure the opening of the site and continue with the construction of works within the ejido land, denounces a statement.
Since February 24, the document recalls, the works were suspended by the community for lacking the consent of the assembly and not having been notified by the INAH that said works were going to be developed in the community’s territory. In addition to the legal process that is underway.
These acts of harassment occur even though on February 28, it was established in the Agrarian Unitary Court #34 that the community of Telchaquillo is willing to dialogue as long as this dialogue is carried out within the framework of the legal process that is being carried out in said court and not outside.
This has been repeated on several occasions when the INAH has sent its legal representative to the site to “negotiate” telling them that the community should not listen to their lawyers or advisors, however on this occasion the threats escalated when two National Guard trucks arrived at the entrance to Mayapán where the residents, mainly older people and women, were cleaning the parking lot.
Therefore, the community of Telchaquillo demands the cessation of harassment and pressure actions by the INAH towards the community and the use of the National Guard for these purposes.
The peasants also demand that the government of the state of Yucatán not lend itself to these actions that threaten the tranquility of the community and the due process that is being carried out in court. Likewise, they reject these attempts at intimidation and pressure as a measure to reach an agreement.
The ejidatarios ask the National Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Commission of the State of Yucatán to be alert to these violations of our human rights.
“We demand that INAH follow due process and submit its proposals in writing to the court for evaluation, always within the framework of guaranteeing the ejidal and indigenous rights of the community,” the ejidatarios said.
TYT Newsroom
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