[van-announce] Event: Mexico Human Rights, Militarization, and the War on Drugs

[maryann at resist.ca]

*Please forward widely**


Militarization, War against Drug Trafficking and Human Rights in Mexico
 A conference with professor and journalist, Carlos Fazio.

Tuesday October 19, 7:00pm
SFU Harbour Centre; 515 West Hastings St., Vancouver; Room 1900

Carlos Fazio is one of the most distinguished intellectuals in Latin
America.  As an international analyst he has received important awards for
his knowledge in Latin American geopolitical affairs.
Based in Mexico City, he is a university professor, researcher academic
and a journalist for several publications including the national newspaper
La Jornada.

The conference will be presented in Spanish, with English translation.

Background:
This year, Mexicans are commemorating 200 hundred years of Independence. Is
there something to celebrate? Mexico is experiencing the worst crisis of
its  existence. The current conditions are worse than those that led to
the War of  Independence, 200 hundred years ago, and those leading to the
Mexican  Revolution, a century ago.

The most serious problems are corruption, poverty, human rights abuses,
and the  so-called war against drug trafficking. More than 28, 000 people,
mostly civilians, have died so far under the regime of Conservative Felipe
Calderón.

Is this collateral damage? Who has benefited from this war? What are the
objectives of militarization and the deterioration of respect for human
rights? What is the role of mass media and Mexican politicians? These
topics and more will be discussed in depth by distinguished professor and
journalist Carlos Fazio, whose analysis will help us learn and understand
what is happening now in Mexico.

Organized by Building Bridges Human Rights Project, with support from The
New Noise
Sponsored by:  BC Compassion Club Society, Council of Canadians, and SFPIRG
 For more information contact:  buildingbridges at resist.ca.