Information on the situation of members of the Partido Acción National (PAN), especially on the harassment, beating, jailing, disappearance and murder of members in late 1993 and early 1994 [MEX16685.E]

The Partido Acción National (PAN) is currently involved in the race for the upcoming presidential elections. Its candidate, Diego Fern ndez de Cevallos, is running third in the polls (Mexico and Nafta Report 24 Feb. 1994, 1; ibid. 20 Jan. 1994, 2; BBC Summary 20 Jan. 1994). Following closer alignment of the PAN's leaders with the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) over the past few years, a faction of neopanistas left the PAN to form the Foro Doctrinario (Mexico and Nafta Report 2 Dec. 1993, 2-3; ibid. 28 October 1993, 3).

An article dated 17 June 1993 indicates that the PAN held power in three governorships, 96 cities and one third of the seats in the lower house of the national congress (Latinamerica Press, 6).

In December 1993, the PAN criticized the Federal Electoral Institute for approving a high figure for spending during the presidential elections, thus giving leeway to spending by the PRI, the wealthiest party (UPI 24 Dec. 1993).

A few weeks earlier, the PAN announced civil protests in Yucat n after gubernatorial elections in that state were marred by vote rigging (UPI 2 Dec. 1993). Although Yucat n is a traditional panista land and the PAN was widely expected to win by a strong majority, the PRI candidate won the elections (ibid. 18 Nov. 1993, 3; Latin American Weekly Report 16 Dec. 1993, 587). The PAN's presidential candidate accused the PRI of massive fraud and asked:
"What is the point . . . of opening up to economic competition if we are unable, within Mexico, to respect the law and open up to political competition. [I fear] that what happened in Yucat n could be a prelude to what might happen in the presidential elections of 1994" (ibid.)

Municipal elections were also held in Mexico State in November 1993. The PAN captured only one major municipality, while the PRI won in all the others (BBC Summary 18 Nov. 1993).

Earlier in April 1993, PAN and PRI militants marched through Mérida, Yucat n's capital, shouting slogans at each other (Latinamerica Press 17 June 1993, 6).

The home of the PAN's candidate for the post of governor in Yucat n was broken into and her possessions stolen last November during the state election campaign (UPI 2 Dec. 1993).

Information on beating, jailing, disappearance and murder of members of the PAN is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.

For further information on the PAN, please consult the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 January 1994. "Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution Nominates Its Presidential Candidate." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 November 1993. "PRI Wins Most Municipal Elections in Mexico State; PAN Retains Cuautitlan." (NEXIS)

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 17 June 1993. "PAN Gives a Little, Gets a Little in Mexico."

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 16 December 1993. "Major Scandal Over Yucat n Elections."

Mexico and Nafta Report [London]. 24 February 1994. "The PRI Starts to Contemplate the Unthinkable: Electoral Defeat."

_____. 20 January 1994. "Under Starter's Orders."

_____. 2 December 1993. "C rdenas's Break for the Middle Ground."

_____. 18 November 1993. "The Importance of Yucat n: PAN Victory Likely."

_____. 28 October 1993. "Still All to Play For."

United Press International (UPI). 24 December 1993. "Mexican Election Board Limits Presidential Campaign Spending." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 December 1993. Angela Moscarella. "Political Crisis Rocks Mexico's Yucatan State." (NEXIS)

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 January 1994. "Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution Nominates Its Presidential Candidate." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 November 1993. "PRI Wins Most Municipal Elections in Mexico State; PAN Retains Cuautitlan." (NEXIS)

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 2 November 1993. Kathleen Logan. "Women Gain Ground in Mexican Politics." (NEXIS)

La Botz, Dan. 1992. Mask of Democracy: Labor Suppression in Mexico Today. Boston: South End Press, pp. 106, 123, 136, 151.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 17 June 1993. "PAN Gives a Little, Gets a Little in Mexico," p. 6.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 16 December 1993. "Major Scandal Over Yucat n Elections," p. 587.

Mexico and Nafta Report [London]. 24 February 1994. "The PRI Starts to Contemplate the Unthinkable: Electoral Defeat," p. 1.

_____. 20 January 1994. "Under Starter's Orders," pp. 2-3.

_____. 2 December 1993. "C rdenas's Break for the Middle Ground," pp. 2-3.

_____. 18 November 1993. "The Importance of Yucat n: PAN Victory Likely," p. 3.

_____. 28 October 1993. "Still All to Play For," p. 2-3.

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. New York: CSA Publications, pp. 503-504.

Reuters. 1 September 1993. Eduardo Kragelund. "Proposed Reform Sparks Racism Debate in Mexico." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 24 December 1993. "Mexican Election Board Limits Presidential Campaign Spending." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 December 1993. Angela Moscarella. "Political Crisis Rocks Mexico's Yucatan State." (NEXIS)