The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests
your urgent intervention in the following situation in
Mexico.
Brief description of the situation :
LIMEDDH (Mexican league for the Defence of Human Rights), a
member of the network, has expressed particular concern
over the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Ofelia
MEDINA, a prominent activist involved with indigenous
communities, and principally with the children of Chiapas.
Ms. Ofelia MEDINA states that since 26 July 1996, she has
been informed of planned harassment and threats to her
person, by a telephone caller identifying himself as "Jose
Hernandez". The caller first informed her of two youths,
who upon being detained, were found to posess photographs
of herself and of the vehicles used in the nutrition
programme for the indigenous children of Chiapas. The
caller claimed they had these photos in order to harm her
("Chingarle"), but he did not know on whose orders.
During a subsequent call, Ms. Ofelia MEDINA questioned the
man who told her that just as the two youths, he was a
member of the judicial police, but that out of sympathy for
her, he wished to warn her of the dangers awaiting her if
she travelled alone, or if she went to the state of
Chiapas. He also informed her that cocaine might be planted
in her car, and that she could be rammed by a trailer on
one of her known routes. He repeatedly said : "take care,
they are going to harm ("chingar") you".
This is not an isolated case, but a part of a systematic
attempt to intimidate human, political and social rights
organisations, in an effort to conceal the repression in
the country, and the impunity enjoyed by abusers of the
above rights.
LIMEDDH draws attention to the fact that many such
repressive threats are carried out. LIMEDDH recalls the
cases of : Ms. Norma CORONA and Mr. Abraham Polo USCANGA,
murdered last year after having received threats from
Saturnino Aguero Aguirre; the accident of Mr. Amado
AVENDANO, rammed by a trailer on a Chiapas road when he was
a candidate for the government of the State, and the recent
murder of Mr. Gregorio ALVAREZ, a PRD militant murdered on
6 August 1996, after having received threats from Valentin
Rodriguez, PRI deputy in Tacambaro, Michoacan.
Action requested :
Please write to the Mexican authorities urging them to :
i. take the appropriate measures to guarantee the
physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Ofelia
MEDINA;
ii. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into the
facts of the case, identify those responsible, bring
them to trial, and apply the penal, civil,and/or
administrative sanctions provided by legislation;
iii.ensure in all circumstances respect for human rightds
and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national
laws and international standards.
Addresses :
S.E. Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, Presidente de la
Republica, Palacio Nacional, C.P. 06065, Mexico, D.F.,
Mexico. Fax (+ 52 5) 277 23 76
Lic. Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, Secretario de Gobernacion,
Secretaria de Gobernacion Bucareli 99, 2=BA piso, Col.
Juarez, Mexico, D.F., Mexico Fax (+ 52 5) 546 73 88 o/or
547 03 21 o/or 546 51 33
Dr. Antonio Lozano Gracia, Procurador General de la
Republica Mexicana, Procuraduria General, Violeta y Reforma
s/n 2=BA piso, Col. Guerrero, Mexico, D.F. CP 06300 Mexico.
Fax: (+ 52 5) 626 44 26
Lic. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar, Presidente Comision Nacional de
Derechos Humanos, Periferico sur 3469, Col. San Jeronimo
Lidice, Deleg. Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, Mexico,
D.F., Mexico. Fax.: (+ 52 5) 631 26 33
The Mexican embassies in your respective countries.
Geneva, 12 August 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 Tel: +41-22-733 31 40
Case Postale 119 Fax: +41 22-733 31 40
CH 1211 Geneva 20 Conf: omctsostorture@conf.igc.apc.org
Switzerland