General improvement in tolerance towards Jehovah's Witnesses in 2001 - (24.10.2001)

Church-state relations in Mexico under Vicente Fox - (18.10.2001)

HRWF International Secretariat (24.10.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net

Although in the past religious fanaticism caused animosity against Jehovahs Witnesses in certain places in the country, generally speaking the Mexican authorities have been tolerant towards Jehovahs Witnesses; they have given validity to the respect for freedom that characterizes Mexico, even when the situation of religions was not so well defined.

At present cases of violent intolerance are more frequent in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca. In San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, some 50 families, representing some 250 persons, were expelled from the community for their religion. The National Commission of Human Rights intervened to restore their lands, issuing Recommendation 58/94. There are several cases like this in these states in which the municipal authorities have been intolerant of religious practices that are different from those of the local community. When it has been necessary, the National Commission of Human Rights has intervened and the cases have been resolved or are in the process of being resolved.

In some indigenous communities the problem comes up because Witnesses do not participate in the religious festivities of the town nor do they contribute economically for the festivities. The so-called tequio is a work assignment in the community to which the Witnesses are not opposed, but frequently it has to do with work for a religious festival that they do not celebrate. This has necessitated dialogue in order to come to agreements with the communities. For example, in San Carlos Yautepec, Oaxaca, where a group of Witnesses had been expelled from the community, the following agreements were reached to resolve the problem:

First - The municipal authorities of Santo Domingo Chontecomatln and San Andrs Tlahilotepec committed themselves to respect religious belief and allow freedom of worship with strict adherence to Articles 4, 24, and 130 of the Constitution.

Second - The representatives of the church of Jehovahs Witnesses commit themselves to respect the usages and customs of the community, as well as the contributions, tequios, etc., as long as these do not violate their religious principles.

Third - The representatives of the church of Jehovahs Witnesses commit themselves to give ten days of tequio more than those given by each citizen, as long as these are applied to community works unrelated to any religious worship.

Childs right to education

Records show that during the 1992-1993 school term, the education of 3,768 children who are Jehovahs Witnesses was affected because of their conscientious objection to the flag salute. Happily, in the 2000-2001 school term, there were only 156 cases, of which 127 have been favorably resolved. These figures show the progress of the educational authorities in this matter. The efforts of different public officials and institutions to protect the constitutional right of these minors to an education, no matter how they worship God, are praiseworthy.

Jehovahs Witnesses in Mexico have repeatedly explained their position in different instances. In some states there have been positive results, but more could still be done so that the children of Jehovahs Witnesses can grow up in an environment of understanding.

An outstanding example of understanding was presented in the document Directives that should be followed in the scholastic centers of basic education, with regard to minor students who, because of their religious beliefs, do not salute the flag and/or participate in civic acts. These directives were established by the Department of Education of the state of Baja California, with the approval of the Permanent Commission of the Honorable Constitutional Legislature of this state, and allow Witness children to receive an education in spite of their conscientious objection.

(Source: Office of General Counsel Jehovahs Witnesses (2001 Annual report on international religious freedom)

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Church-state relations in Mexico under Vicente Fox

Interview with Jaime Septien, director of El Observador

Zenit (18.10.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (19.10.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Ten months into his term of office, Mexican President Vicente Fox visited John Paul II today at the Vatican.

To get a sense of church-state relations under the Fox administration, ZENIT interviewed Jaime Septien, director of El Observador, the Mexican Catholic weekly newspaper.

--Q: What are the positive aspects of church-state relations since President Fox came to power?

--Septien: There has been a change in Mexico. Let's say, the rules didn't change, but respect for the rules. The Fox administration is seriously committed to combating corruption, which implies being in favor of justice.

However, he has been in power a short time, and the dead weight carried for the past seven decades is great.

--Q: What are the negative aspects?

--Septien: Church-state relations have remained somewhat suspended. The bishops were very pleased with the change of regime; not because of the promises they might have on Fox's part but because of the nation's -- of society's -- awakening. July 2 [the day of Fox's electoral victory] was, in fact, a democratic celebration.

However, something happened in the Government Secretariat; a force of the past imposed itself. And the Government Secretary, Santiago Creel Miranda, decided to opt for the conventional method of simulated understanding, which the PRI practiced to perfection.

--Q: Are there unfulfilled promises? Will they be fulfilled?

--Septien: There was a decalogue of promises from Fox on religious freedom and specific issues of recognition of the Church and churches, which haven't begun to be fulfilled. It is as if he had forgotten them.

This does not go unnoticed by many Catholics and a good part of the hierarchy. We thought that, at last, the Mexican government was going to acknowledge the real contribution of the Catholic Church to the society of our country. However, it all remained a promise and, what is worse, a campaign promise.

--Q: Fox is, perhaps, the first president of Mexico who says he is a Catholic, and practicing at that. Does Fox's religious dimension affect his personality and political action?

--Septien: I think Vicente Fox is a good man, a clearly Catholic man, which is not the same as being committed. He has the Jesuits' mark, namely, traces of formation for social action. However, there is something about Mexico that triggers ... panic in Catholics when they come to power.

That is, they align themselves immediately with the PRI's regime of simulation and disconcert and with "Juarismo." There are clear signs that a good Catholic can be a good politician, but in Mexico these signs are either not perceived or they are perceived very diffusely.

We don't want Fox in the sacristy, but we do want him to define his action, especially his social action, according to the doctrine of the Church.

--Q: Mexico became famous in the 20th century for being one of the countries in which the constitution and the government were very hostile to religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular. Indeed, for decades the fundamental rights of freedom of worship were violated. ... With Fox's advent, has the anti-clericalism of the PRI "dinosaurs" been left behind? Could this mentality return to power?

--Septien: The Catholic Church in Mexico has an interesting future ahead of it, not so much because of the accessibility that the present administration will give it, but because following the document "On Encountering Jesus Christ Alive in Solidarity With All" (published last year), it has realized that it can influence Catholics, and men and women of good will in Mexico, without having to pass through the filter of power.

In other words, [the Church] has become aware of its immense moral power and of its independence of political power. It should be clarified, that the atmosphere is more relaxed, far more relaxed. For example, Fox would never frown on a liturgical celebration held outside chapel walls.