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VIOLENCE |
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Amnesty International - Fear
for Safety - Tatiana Morales Valdizon (f), Special Prosecutor for Human
Rights Defenders UA 26/03 Fear for Safety 27 January 2003 GUATEMALA Tatiana Morales Valdizon (f), Special Prosecutor for Human Rights Defenders Other members of the Ministerio Publico (MP), Public Prosecutor's Office Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of Tatiana Morales Valdizon and other members of the Ministerio Publico (MP), Public Prosecutor's Office following an increasing wave of attacks and threats against human rights defenders. Tatiana Morales Valdizon has the specific mandate of investigating human rights violations committed against human rights defenders. Together with a technical team from the MP she travelled to the village of Chocon, in the Department of Izabal in order to interview potential witnesses. This was part of an investigation into alleged human rights violations, including extra-judicial execution and illegal raids by former members of the Departamento de Operaciones Antinarcoicas (DOAN), the department of Anti-Narcotics Operations. As they conducted the interviews, a number of vehicles reportedly drove past the location in Chocon. On 23 January, as the party returned from Chocon, they were pursued by several cars. They managed to avoid their pursuers and reported the incident enroute to the Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) National Civil Police. Later, however they were forced to stop following a high speed chase with an unknown vehicle. They were unhurt, but remain severely worried by the incident. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Members of the DOAN have been implicated in serious human rights violations (see UA 65/02, AMR 34/012/2002, 28 February 2002). The agency, which had received almost $2 million of annual aid from the United States, was abolished in October 2002 and a new drug agency subsequently established, after many of its agents were implicated in corruption scandals, precipitating severe criticism from the US government. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish and English or your own language:
APPEALS TO: President of the Republic of Guatemala Lic. Alfonso Portillo Cabrera Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala 6a. Avenida "A" 4-41, Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala Telegram: Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Fax: + 502 238 3579 Salutation: Dear Mr President/Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente 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 Secretary of Strategic Analysis Secretario de Analisis Estrategico Secretaria de Analisis Estrategico 6a Avenida 'A' 3-53, Zona 1 Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Telegram: Secretario de Analisis Estrategico, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Fax: + 502 232 2886 Salutation: Dear Secretary/Senor Secretario 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 COPIES TO: 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 3 March 2003. Dr. Roddy Brett Campaigner, Coordinador de Campañas, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panamá, Venezuela Americas Program, Programa de las Américas International Secretariat, Secretariado Internacional, Amnesty International, Amnistía Internacional 1, Easton Street, London, Londres, WC1X 0DW Tel: 44 (0) 207 413 5692 FAX: 44 (0) 207 956 1157 E-mail, Correo electrónico: rbrett@amnesty.org http://www.amnesty.org
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