EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AMR 34/71/93
Distr: UA/SC
UA 359/93 Death Threats 7 October 1993
GUATEMALA: Gustavo MONZON ESCOBAR
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of Gustavo
Monzon Escobar who has reportedly been subjected to harassment and
anonymous death threats. He is the Coordinator of Casa Nazareth, an
organization that provides assistance to indigenous peasants and
students.
According to reports, for several months Gustavo Monzon has been
receiving anonymous death threats by mail and at his workplace, most
recently in the last week of September. Also, unidentified people have
been going to his home and his office asking for him, making
enquiries about the functions of Casa Nazareth and telling the staff
not to get "mixed up in problems" ("meterse en problemas").
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Casa Nazareth, founded in 1984, provides housing and food to peasants
and students, primarily those who have been affected by violence. It
has lent its premises on several occasions to peasants' organizations
and other groups that work for the defence of human rights. In the
last months Casa Nazareth has supported Guatemala's new Draft Law
on Military Service, Social Service and Conscience Objection.
In October 1990, one of its members had to go into exile after
receiving death threats on several occasions. In September 1991, Juan
Castro Ajcot, apparently another member of Casa Nazareth, who had
also received death threats, was assassinated. The perpetrator of this
crime, a member of the National Police, was later sentenced to 12
years in prison.
For many years Amnesty International has been concerned about
human rights violations directed against targeted groups, including
trade unionists, student leaders, journalists and those working with
non-governmental organizations, particularly those attempting to
investigate and protect human rights, who have been long-term targets
of abuses in Guatemala, including harassment, threats, torture,
"disappearances" and extrajudicial executions. Such abuses have
sometimes been preceded by acts of intimidation and surveillance.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters either in Spanish,
English or in your own language:
- expressing concern at the harassment and threats received by
Gustavo Adolfo Monzon Escobar;
- asking that these incidents be immediately investigated and that those
found responsible be brought to justice;
- asking for guarantees for the safety of Gustavo Adolfo Monzon
Escobar.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic:
S.E. Ramiro de Leon Carpio
[Salutation: Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente /Dear President]
Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Telegrams: Presidente de Leon Carpio, Guatemala, Guatemala
Faxes: + 502 2 537472, + 502 2 519702
Telexes: 5331 CAPRES GU
Minister of Interior:
Lic. Arnoldo Ortiz Moscoso
[Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister]
Ministro de Gobernacion
Ministerio de Gobernacion
Despacho Ministerial, Of. No. 8
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Telegrams: Ministro de Gobernacion, Guatemala, Guatemala
Faxes: + 502 2 518105
Telexes: 5085 MINGOB
Minister of Defence:
Gral. Mario Enriquez Morales
[Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister]
Ministro de Defensa
Ministerio de Defensa
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Telegrams: Ministro de Defensa, Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: + 502 2 537472
Telexes: 5361 COMGUA GU
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency
Senor Edmundo Nanne, Embassy of Guatemala, 13 Fawcett St,
London SW10 9HN. Fax: 071 376 5708
[Please see the responses to this topic for the addresses
of diplomatic representatives in other countries]
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
Human Rights Procurator:
Lic. Jorge Garcia Laguardia
Procurador de los Derechos Humanos
12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1,
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Faxes: + 502 2 81734
Head of the Presidential Commission Coordinating the Policies of the
Executive relating to Human Rights:
Lic. Jorge Gonzalo Cabrera Hurtarte
Presidente
COPREDEH
15 Avenida 18-38, Zona 13
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Archbishop's Human Rights Office:
Oficina de Derechos Humanos del
Arzobispado de Guatemala (ODHAG)
Apartado Postal 723
Guatemala, Guatemala
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send
appeals after 18 November 1993.
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
+ the UA scheme in general, please contact: +
+ Ray Mitchell +
+ Amnesty International British Section +
+ 99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue +
+ London EC1R 4RE email: gn:rmitchellai +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+