The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Mexico.
Brief description of the situation:
The National Independent Committee, affiliated to the FEDEFAM, a
member of the network, has expressed its grave concern over the death
of Mr CELERINO JIMENEZ ALMARAZ, a Zapoteco aged 25 years.
On April 24th 1997 at 2.a.m., over 50 members of the Oaxaca Judicial
police arrived at the community of Santa Maria Jalatengo, San Mateo
Rio Hondo, District of Miahuatlan. All were dressed in black and some
had their heads covered. They forced doors and windows and broke into
the premises beating up those who were inside, including Mr CELERINO
JIMENEZ ALMAREZ whom they dragged outside and stripped naked. Shots
were heard as they took him away and apparently he was hit since there
was a trail of blood and vomit along the way they had dragged him.
The Oaxaca Attorney General's Office PGJE reported that Mr CELERINO
JIMENEZ ALMAREZ had died while being taken to Pochutla to receive
medical attention care. However there is the possibility that he was
executed. According to the testimony of Maria Estela Garcia, wife of
the victim, the reasons for the violent arrest and death are not known
since there was no warrant of arrest nor any interrogation concerning
any criminal act.
Action requested:
Please write to the Mexican authorities urging them to:
i.. carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the presumed
summary execution of Mr CELERINO JIMENEZ ALMAZAR in order to identify
those responsible and apply to them the civil, penal and/or
administrative sanctions provided by law;
ii. ensure the right of the victim's family to appropriate redress;
iii. put an end to violence and other grave violations committed
against the indigenous population;
iv guarantee the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms
throughout the country in accordance with national laws and
international standards.
Addresses:
S.E. Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Le?n, Presidente de la Rep?blica,
Palacio Nacional, C.P. 06065, M?xico, D.F., Mexico. Fax (+ 52 5) 271
17 64 o/or 515 47 83 o/or 516 57 62
Lic. Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, Secretario de Gobernaci?n, Secretaria
de Gobernaci?n, Bucareli 99, 2? piso, Col. Juarez, M?xico, D.F.,
M?xico Fax (+ 52 5) 546 73 88 o/or 547 03 21 o/or 546 51 33
Dr. Antonio Lozano Grac?a, Procurador General de la Rep?blica
Mexicana, Procuradur?a General, violeta y Reforma s/n 2? piso, Col.
Guerrero, M?xico, D.F. CP 06300 M?xico. Fax: (+ 52 5) 626 44 26
Lic. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar, Presidente Comisi?n Nacional de Derechos
Humanos, Perif?rico sur 3469, Col. San Jeronimo L?dice, Deleg.
Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, M?xico, D.F., M?xico. Fax.: (+ 52 5)
631 26 33
Geneva, 29th April 1997
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph 4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
The World Organisation Against Torture
OMCT@IPROLINK.CH
http://www.omct.org/