The International Ssecretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Mexico.
Brief description of the situation
The LIMEDDH (Mexican league for the defence of Human Rights), member of
the network, has expresssed concern for the life and safety of persons
residing in the Loxichas region, State of Oaxaca, and more especially
the following: Pedro RUIZ, Venancio ANTONIO, Fortino ENRIQUEZ HERNANDEZ,
Elpidio RAMIREZ GARCIA, Pedro PEREZ and Liborio MARTINEZ RAMIREZ.
On September 25th l996 from 7 a.m. onwards, forces of the national army,
the judicial and preventive police (both federal and Oaxaca state)
carried out security operations in the Loxichas region. These activities
gave rise to the illegal entry and search of homes in the villages of
San Agust=EDn los Loxichas and Llano Maguey.
During these operations the following persons were detained : in Llano
Maguey -- Pedro RUIZ andVenancio ANTONIO (primary school teachers) and
in San Agustin los Loxichas -- Fortino ENRIQUEZ HERNANDEZ, syndic of the
local municipal authorities, Elpidio RAMIREZ GARCIA, Pedro PEREZ and
Liborio MARTINEZ RAMIREZ. RAMIREZ GARCIA, Pedro PEREZ y Liborio MARTINEZ
RAMIREZ.
By the late hours of September 26th there was still no news of the
whereabouts of the detained persons. This situation gave rise to
serious fears for their safety and integrity, still further aggravated
in view of the fact that the authorities consider these persons
connected with the EPR (People' s Revolutionary Army) and that such
suspicion usually leads to the torture or ill treatment of the
detainees.
The same reports stress that only a few days ago, between the 10th and
the 15th of September approximately 1200 peasants of the Loxichas region
went to the city of Oaxaca to have a meeting with the governor of the
state. On this occasion the peasants presented a list of petitions for
the solution of their problems including the demand for the cessation of
harassment on the part of the police and army. In connection with the
latter requirement the Governor had replied that the "army would enter,
would enter".
Because of the Governor's attitude the LIMEDDH and the Loxicha
authorities asked the Human Rights Commission of the State of Oaxaca to
send a representative who would be present during the period of military
presence in the region. The appointed representative, Rodrigo Cruy
Iriarte, remained four days in the region and the security operations
began soon after he had returned to the city.
Action requested:
Write to the Mexican authorities urging them to :
i. dictate the appropriate measures in order to prevent the
arbitrary or illegal acts by the authorities and ensure
the respect of the right to life, the safety and personal
integrity of the population and its fundamental freedoms;
ii. guarantee in all circumstances the respect of the physical
and psychological integrity of the detained persons,
provide information on their whereabouts and condition and
order their immediate release in case they are detained
without valid reasons or, if such reasons exist, bring
them before a competent civil court and guarantee their
procedural rights;
iii.carry out an exhaustive and impartial investigation into
the facts described in order to determine those
responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal,
civil and/or administrative sanctions in accordance with
the law;
iv. guarantee the victims the right to adequate redress and
compensation;
v. ensure the full respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the country, in particular the right to life
and the physical and psychological integrity, in
accordance with national legislation 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) 515 17 94 o/or 271 17 64 o/or 515 47 83 o/or 516 57 62
Lic. Emilio Chuayffet Chemor, Secre 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
Mexican embassy in your country.
Geneva, 27 September 1996
Kindly inform us of all action undertaken, quoting the code number of
the present appeal in your reply.