The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Guatemala.
Brief description of the situation
The Commission for the Defence of Human Rights in Central America,
CODEHUCA, a member of our network, has expressed its grave concern over
death threats received by Andris GUZMAN, Pedro CANDELARIO and Gregorio
CARRILLO, as well as the recent kidnapping, torture and summary execution
of Jose Luis RAMOS.
According to reports, on March 19th, unidentified persons issued death
threats against Andres GUZMAN, Pedro CANDELARIO and Gregorio CARRILLO,
leaders of peasant organisations of the South and of the Altiplano
affiliated to the CONAMPRO (The National Coordinator for Small and Medium
Size Business). Unidentified persons were seen on March 20th and 21st
surveying the offices of the CONAMPRO, and it is feared that these threats
may be carried out.
Fears for the life and safety of these people have been further increased
by the kidnapping, torture and summary execution on 21st March 1996 of
Jose Luis RAMOS, Coordinator of the Pro Tierra Committee of the village of
La Esperanza del Mar, in Izabal and a member of the National Indigenous
and Peasant Coordination (CONIC). His body was thrown into the sea and
found two days later. The victim was an active defender of the interests
of the indigenous and peasant sector and for several months past had been
demanding the return of lands situated in the Finca Las Escobas in Santo
Tomas de Castilla, department of Izabal
The death of Jose Luis RAMOS comes after numerous death threats and
intimidation of members and leaders of the Pro Tierra movement. This is a
situation which the CONIC has denounced on previous occasions.
Action requested
i. adopt urgent appropriate measures to guarantee the life and safety of
Andres GUZMAN, Pedro CANDELARIO, Gregorio CARILLO and the other
members and leaders of indigenous and/or peasant organisations,
particularly CONIC and CONAMPRO.
ii. carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the facts
related above including the illegal sequestration, torture and
summary execution of Jose Luis RAMOS in order to ensure that those
responsible are identified, brought to trial before a competent
regular court and receive the penal and civil sanctions in accordance
with the law;
iii guarantee all necessary protection to the family of Jose RAMOS as
well as the right to appropriate compensation;
iv. do everything in their power in order to put a stop to the threats,
attacks and other acts violating the essential rights and liberties
of the population, especially the peasant, indigenous and trade-union
sectors etc.;
v. ensure the effective respect of human rights and fundamental liberties
in accordance with national legislation and international
standards.
Addresses:
S.E. Licdo. Alvaro Arzu-Irigoyen, Presidente de la Republica, Palacio
Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : (+ 502 2) 537 472 o/or 515 667
Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza Rosales, Ministro de Gobernacion, Ministerio de
Gobernacion, Palacio Nacional, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : (+
502 2) 515 368
Sr. Julio Balconi Turcios, Ministro de Defensa, Ministerio de Defensa,
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : (+ 502 2) 537 472 o/or 530
08 74
The Guatemalan embassies in your respective counmtries.
Geneva, 27th March 1996
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this
appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld
Projects Manager
OMCT/SOS-Torture
Case Postale 119
Rue de Vermont 37-39
CH-1211
Tel:4122 733 3140
Fax:4122 733 1051