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Amnesty
International - Fear for
Safety/Threats - Iduvina Hernández, Director of SEDEM
PUBLIC AI
Index: AMR 34/006/2003
UA 43/03 Fear for Safety/Threats
12 February 2003
GUATEMALA Iduvina Hernández (f),
Director of the Asociación para el Estudio y la Promoción de la Seguridad en
Democracia (SEDEM), Association for the Study and Promotion of Security in a
Democracy
Iduvina Hernández, director of the Asociación para el Estudio y la Promoción
de la Seguridad en Democracia (SEDEM), Association for the Study and Promotion
of Security in a Democracy has recently received a series of anonymous
threatening phone calls. Amnesty International is concerned for her safety and
that of her colleagues at SEDEM.
On 2 February, Iduvina Hernández received some ten phone calls in which the
caller hung up when she answered. On 8 February she received another call from
the same number, in which the caller threatened her physical safety in a vulgar
manner.
The threats may be an effort to intimidate Iduvina Hernandez and her
organization, SEDEM, for the work it carries out on national security,
intelligence and democracy in Guatemala. They may also be connected with
her potential role in the Comisión de Investigación de los Aparatos
Clandestinos de Seguridad (CICIACS), The Commission to Investigate Clandestine
Security Apparatus. This is an initiative that has recently been requested by
Guatemalan non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Human Rights Ombudsman.
If approved, the commission will investigate illegal bodies and clandestine
security groups in Guatemala.
As director of SEDEM, Iduvina Hernández has also analyzed
increasing threats against human rights defenders and the remilitarization of
Guatemalan society, including the government's readiness to negotiate with
ex-civil patrollers, many of whom were responsible for assassinations and
"disappearances" during Guatemala's long term civil conflict.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
During the Christmas break, in December 2002, the offices of SEDEM were broken
into. SEDEM fears that the break-in was an effort to obtain
confidential information concerning Iduvina Hernández' work, as her computer
was illegally accessed. Despite the fact that SEDEM reported the
break-in, the Public Prosecutor's Office has not yet made any progress with the
case.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in
Spanish or English or your own language:
- expressing concern for the safety of Iduvina Hernández and urging the
authorities to take immediate measures to guarantee her safety;
- calling on the authorities including the Public Prosecutors office to
carry out an immediate, exhaustive and impartial investigation into the
threats against Iduvina Hernández and SEDEM;
- asking that the results of the investigations be made public.
APPEALS TO:
Attorney General
Lic. Carlos David de Leon Argueta
Fiscal General de la Republica
Fiscalia General del Ministerio Publico
8a. Avenida 10-57, Tercer nivel
Zona 1, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Telegram: Fiscal General de la Republica,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: + 502 221
2718
Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Senor Fiscal General
Minister of the Interior
Lic. Adolfo Reyes Calderón
Ministro de Gobernación
6ª Avenida 4-64, Zona 4
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: +502 362
0239 / 362 0237
Salutation: Dear Minister/Señor Ministro
Director General of the National Civil Police
Comisario General Raul Arquimedes Manchame Leiva
Director General de la Policia Nacional Civil
6a Avenida 13-71, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Telegram: Director General de la Policia,
Ciudad de Guatemala,
Guatemala
Fax: + 502 251
9382
Salutation: Dear Director/Senor Director
COPIES TO:
Human Rights Organization
SEDEM
Boulevard Liberación 15-86 Zona 13, Edificio Obelisco,
2 Nivel Oficina 208, Guatemala 01013.
Telefax: + 502 3615303 / 3619945 /
3619402 (if a voice answers, say "fax por favor")
Human Rights Procurator
Lic. Sergio Morales
Procuraduria de los Derechos Humanos
12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Telefax: +502 230 0874 / 76
Fax: +502 238
1734
Newspaper
Diario Prensa Libre
13 Calle 9-31, Zona l
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 251
8768/ 230 2193/ 230 2257
and to diplomatic representatives of Guatemala accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or
your section office, if sending appeals after 26 March 2003.
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