Winner of the 1997 Martin Ennals Award
Bishop of the Diocese of Chiapas and advocate of the poor and indigenous people, Mgs. Samuel Ruiz Garcia has been the mediator between the Mexican government and the Zapatista National Liberation Assembly. The Award was presented to him in recognition of his courageous and innovative approaches to combat human rights violations in Mexico. He has been under constant threats and harassment because of his work for human rights and peace in the State of Chiapas. Just before receiving the Award, he was attacked along with a group of Indian worshippers, by gunmen, allegedly members of a paramilitary group. Father Samuel Ruiz's courage and perseverance in his human rights activities in the face of the precarious situation reigning in Chiapas, threats and attacks against his person, undoubtedly strengthen his commitment as a forceful and forthright human rights defender. The hazardous and uncertain conditions under which he works give him more determination to bring the plight of the indigenous people in Chiapas to international attention. (Photo: Bishop Samuel Garcia Ruiz, at the Martin Ennals Award Ceremony
in Mexico City, November 1997. |
