+------------------------------------------------------+
+ Paper reprints authorized. Electronic redistributors +
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+------------------------------------------------------+
***"Freedom Writers Network Appeal Cases - Sept. 1993"***
Each month, Amnesty International's Freedom Writers Network
focuses on three different cases of victims of human rights
abuse. Some may be prisoners of conscience -- people
imprisoned solely for their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic
origins, language, or religion, who have not used or
advocated violence. Others may have been denied a fair and
prompt trial, while others may have been tortured or
"disappeared," or may be facing execution. All are of great
concern to Amnesty International. Personal letters from
caring people can bring about a prisoner's release, secure
vital information, launch an investigation, or even save a
life. Your letters can make a tremendous difference in the
fate of these individuals.
Below are copies of the three sample letters published
in this months' Freedom Writers bulletin. Please direct
your correspondence to the address at the top of each letter
and send a copy to the embassy address at the bottom (where
applicable). You may copy the sample letters directly onto
your stationery or compose your own letters, using the
samples as guides. For the greatest impact, letters should
be polite in tone and mailed within the month. U.S. airmail
postage is 50 cents for a one-page letter.
NOTE: While you are free to depart from the text given
in the sample letters when writing your own personal
appeals, no one may in any way alter the on-line material as
presented originally by Amnesty International.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement working
impartially for the release of prisoners of conscience, fair
and prompt trials for all political prisoners, and an end to
torture, "disappearances," and executions. It is funded by
donations from its 1.1 million members and supporters
throughout the world. If you are interested in joining
Amnesty International USA, please write to: Amnesty
International, 322 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
S.E. Ramiro de Leon Carpio
President of the Republic of Guatemala
National Palace
Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Your Excellency,
I have learned of a situation that I am seriously
concerned about and would like to bring to your attention.
It is my understanding that Luis Ruiz, Macario Pu Chivalan,
Agapito Perez Lucas, and Nicolas Mateo were abducted in
early 1989 from an estate in Suchitepequez department in
southwestern Guatemala by uniformed soldiers and taken to an
unknown destination.
These men were seasonal farm workers and members of the
Council of Ethnic Communities "We Are All Equal" (CERJ).
The CERJ was formed in 1988 and has among its objectives the
denunciation of human rights violations directed at
indigenous groups. Since its formation, the CERJ has been
the constant target of human rights abuses, including death
threats, "disappearances" and extrajudicial executions of
its members.
Despite government claims that an investigation had
been carried out into the abduction and subsequent
"disappearance" of Luis Ruiz, Macario Pu Chivalan, Agapito
Perez Lucas, and Nicolas Mateo, no news of the men's fate
and whereabouts has emerged. They remain "disappeared."
I join Amnesty International, the independent human
rights organization, in calling for a full and independent
investigation into the "disappearance" of these men. I
further call for you to bring to justice those who are
responsible for these "disappearances."
Yours respectfully,
copy to:
His Excellency Edmond Mulet
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *