Information on a Catholic youth organization in Chiapas called the Movimiento de Jornadas de Vida Christiana (MJVC) [MEX24608.E]

The following information was provided to the DIRB by the former executive secretary and current member of the human rights follow-up committee (area de seguimiento de casos de derechos humanos) of the Chiapas-based Centro de Derechos Humanos Frey Bartholome de las Casas.

The source stated that the Movimiento de Jornadas de Vida Christiana (MJVC) is a well-known organization that is active throughout the Mexico. The source mentioned that the MJVC has been in existence for about 20 years, and to his knowledge has thousands of members. The source reported that although the MJVC is most active in Mexico City, it is also present in Chiapas, although it has no office in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas' capital. The source stated that the MJVC is a neutral, non-political organization that "teaches young people the precepts of Christian life." The source also mentioned that to his knowledge MJVC members have not been and currently are not subject to mistreatment or discrimination from the Mexican authorities because of the organization 's work or objectives. The source described the MJVC's relations with other religious organizations as good and peaceful and stated that "if MJVC members are victims of human rights abuses, it is because of something unrelated to their organization membership." For further information on Mexico's religious movements, 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.

Reference


Centro de Derechos Humanos Frey Bartholomé de las Casas, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. 7 November 1996. Telephone interview with the former executive secretary and current member of the centre's human rights follow-up committee.

Attachments


Angel, William D. 1990. Youth Movements of the World. London: Longman Group UK, pp. 363-367.

Contemporary Religions: A World Guide. 1992. Edited by Ian Harris et al. The High, Harlow, Essex: Longman Group UK, p. 443.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 26 September 1996. Vol. 28, No. 35. Brian K. Goonan. "The New Look of the Churches," pp. 2-3.

_____. 26 September 1996. Vol. 28, No. 35. John Ross. "The Changing Catholic Church," pp. 12-13.

_____. 26 September 1996. Vol. 28, No. 35. José de Guadalupe Muñoz Ramos. "Religious Fervor," p. 12.

Religion in Politics: A World Guide. 1989. Edited by Stuart Mews. Chicago: St. James Press, pp. 180-183.

Additional Sources Consulted


Amnesty International Report 1996.

Amnesty International. Urgent Action. 1996.

DIRB Country Files. Mexico. 1996.

L'état des religions. 1987. Paris: La découverte.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports.

Human Rights Quarterly [Baltimore]. 1996.

Human Rights Tribune [Ottawa]. 1996.

Human Rights Watch Report 1996.

Human Rights Watch Short Reports [New York]. January 1996.

Human Rights and the World's Religions. 1988. Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1996.

Mesoamerica [San Pedro]. 1996.

Mexico NewsPak [Austin, Tex]. 1996.

News from Americas Watch [New York]. 1996.

Other Side of Mexico [Mexico City]. 1995-1996.