Photo: Juan Manuel Blanco / EFE
After seeing the images of Mexican authorities brutally attacking migrants trying to cross through Chiapas, Mexico this week, Mexican leaders in Los Angeles they joined their Central American compatriots in repudiating these acts.
Juan José Gutiérrez, representative of the Coalition of Full Rights for Immigrants , said he strongly condemns the conduct of the National Guard and representatives of the National Migration Institute (INM) who beat the immigrants in the rain. Some even in front of their children.
The images are accompanied by the screams of immigrants and the lack of compassion shown by the people who attacked them.
Gutiérrez said that how Mexico can ask the United States to open the doors to immigrants Mexicans in need when Mexico does not do the same with those who try to pass through the country.
He added that Mexicans send record amounts of remittances that help to the country, but the same country is preventing other migrants from having the opportunity to do the same.
“We are migrants, we are not criminals!” Central American, Venezuelan & Haitian migrants continue to make their way through # Chiapas , Mexico as the Mexican National Guard attempts to stop them. Solidarity with all migrants! ✊🏿❤️🎥: @ Darinelzacarias # Migrant Caravan pic.twitter.com/sJWMRlCBln
– Voices in Movement (@VIM_Media) September 1, 2021
“It is not possible to apply a double standard while we celebrate what we support Mexico, Central Americans who seek to get here to contribute to their nations are given another type of violent treatment, ”said Gutiérrez.
This same week, following the tradition of protecting asylees and foreigners who are forced to leave their countries, Mexico welcomed 125 Afghan citizens were safely with refugee protection in Mexico city.
“This contrasts in a very horrible way with the brutal beating that was unleashed in the last three days against our Central American, South American and Caribbean brothers,” said Gutiérrez.
Mexican and Central American activists met on Friday in front of the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, because it is considered the second most important place, after the embassy, representing Mexico in the United States. United.
From there they asked President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to take action on the matter and after emphasizing that they fully support the president, they asked him to condemn the acts of the Mexican authorities.
“Before being president, He told me personally that the recognition that caused him the most pride is that he was recognized internationally as a firm fighter for the human rights of all, ”said Gutiérrez. “But when we see those images of children being shaken, crying out in despair, because that is not the Mexico that we want to be projected in the world”
This is the # Mexico with migrants, immigration policy is detention and expulsion; this is the humanitarian aid offered. # INM @ INAMI_mx # UNHCR # COMAR # MIGRANT pic.twitter.com/uzSKG5zXfl
– Damián Sánchez (@ AdriandejesusD2) August 29, 2021
Among the participating organizations were representatives of El Rescate, the Union of Guatemalans Immigrants and the Honduran Alliance of Los Angeles.
In response to the attacks that have become viral, the INM said in a statement from 29 of August that condemns any action that harms the human rights of the population in the context of mobility.
He added that what happened was the result of “a migrant person” who began to beat up a Mexican federal agent. Two more elements came to help him but upon arrival they created “inappropriate behavior in his intervention”, unleashing the chaos that is seen in different videos on social networks.
At least two people from the INM who were involved in violence against migrants had already been suspended, while inquiries were being made to the respect.