Death threats/fear for safety

espanol

PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 34/065/2002

UA 312/02 Death threats/fear for safety 18 October 2002


GUATEMALA Carlos Mejia (m), deputy of political party La Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), The Guatemala Revolutionary Unity and trade union leader
And his family


Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of Carlos Mejia and his family, following a death threat received on 17 October. Carlos Mejia is a representative of the left-wing opposition party La Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), the Guatemala Revolutionary Unity, and a trade union leader for the Unidad de Trabajadores Estatales y Sectores Populares (UTESP), Unity of State Workers and Popular Sectors.

The threat, received in an anonymous letter sent to his workplace, stated "Diputado Mejia, te quedan solo dias, te preparamos ya la emboscada a ti y a tu familia. Despidete, te fusilo el ex guardia del hijo de Arzu, para que te quede claro. Saludos" ("Deputy Mejia, you only have a few days left, we are preparing the ambush against you and your family. Say goodbye, you will be shot by Arzu's son's ex guard, be clear about it. Regards"). 'Arzu' is thought to be a reference to Alvaro Arzu, former President of Guatemala.

Carlos Mejia has publicly denounced corruption in San Marcos, including the mismanagement of public funds by several of the department's mayors. There are fears that this death threat may be an effort to stop him and others from publicly denouncing alleged corruption by some of the regional authorities in San Marcos.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amnesty International is concerned that there is a continuing pattern of threats and intimidation of those who denounce corruption, or who are perceived to be criticizing the Guatemalan authorities. The victims are being threatened and attacked by or with the complicity of the official security forces, in order to silence them.

In December 1996 Alvaro Arzu signed a peace accord with the URNG, the armed opposition movement during Guatemala's long term civil conflict, effectively ending the conflict in Guatemala. In December 1998 the URNG became a political party.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible,
in Spanish or your own language:

• expressing concern for the safety of Carlos Mej_a and his family, following the death threat made against them on 17 October;
• asking for assurances that the Guatemalan authorities will take all necessary steps to protect Carlos Mej_a and his family;
• calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the threat, for the results to be made public and those responsible brought to justice;
• insisting that those denouncing acts of corruption by regional officials are not hindered and that their human rights are protected.

APPEALS TO:

Attorney General
Fiscal General Licenciado
Carlos David De Leon Argueta
Oficina de la Fiscalia General del Ministerio P·blico
8a Avenida, 10-67, Tercer Nivel,
Zona 1, Ciudad de Guatemala,
Guatemala
Telegram: Fiscal General, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: + 502 221 2718
Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Senor Fiscal General

President of the Republic of Guatemala
Lic. Alfonso Portillo Cabrera
Presidente de la Rep·blica de Guatemala
6a. Avenida "A" 4-41, Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala
Telegram: Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala, Guatemala City,
Guatemala
Fax: + 502 253 0801
Salutation: Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente

Minister of the Interior
Lic. Adolfo Reyes Calderon
Ministro de Gobernacion
Ministerio de Gobernacion
6¬ Avenida 4-64, Zona 4
Ciudad de Guatemala , Guatemala
Telegram: Ministro de Gobernacion, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: + 502 362 0237
Salutation: Dear Minister/Senor Ministro

National Police in San Marcos
Policia Nacional Civil
Comisario Jefe Mario Guadalupe Barrios Zapet
9 Calle 8-66, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala , Guatemala
Telegram: Comisario, Policia Nacional Civil, Ciudad de Guatemala ,
Guatemala
Fax: + 502 760 2596 (please keep trying)
Salutation: Dear Director/Senor Comisario

COPIES TO:

Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG)
1a Calle 9-21, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Fax: + 502 254 5053/254 5075

Newspaper
CERIGUA
2a calle 1-42, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: + 502 221 2521
E-mail: cerigua@guate.net

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 29 November 2002.
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Guatemala Research Team/Equipo de Investigacion sobre Guatemala
Amnesty International

1 Easton Street
London, WC1X 0DW
Great Britain

guatteam@amnesty.org
fax: 44(0) 207 9561157

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