AMR 41/010/2006
Further Information on UA 09/06 (AMR 41/004/2006, 10 January 2006) and follow-up (AMR 41/005/2006, 13 January 2006) -
Fear for safety/death threats
MEXICO : Martin Barrios Hernandez (m), human rights defender, president of the Human and Labour Rights Commission of Tehuacan Valley (Comision de Derechos Humanos y Laborales del Valle de Tehuacan)
The family of Martin Barrios Hernandez
Members of the Human and Labour Rights Commission of Tehuacan Valley
15 February 2006
Human rights defender Martin Barrios Hernandez has been warned that his life is at risk. Friends and relatives of Martin Barrios have been told that an individual reportedly linked with the assembly plant (maquila) industry has paid someone to kill Martin Barrios if he continues to defend and publicize the poor labour conditions of the maquila workers. His family and other members of the Human and Labour Rights Commission of Tehuacan Valley (Comision de Derechos Humanos y Laborales del Valle de Tehuacan) may also be in danger.
According to reports, on 12 February, during a public forum held in the municipality of Altepexi, adjacent to the Tehuacan Valley in the southern state of Puebla, a member of Martin Barrios’s family was approached by a family friend who said, « Take care, all of you, and take care of Martin because a person has been hired and is going for Martin’s head » (Cuidense y cuiden a Martin porque ya esta contratada una persona que va sobre su cabeza). The friend allegedly said that his information came from a reliable source believed to be linked to the owners of the maquilas. Later the same day, Martin Barrios was approached by another man who reportedly reaffirmed the allegations.
In recent months, owners of maquilas in the Tehuacan valley have made public accusations that Martin Barrios and the Human and Labour Rights Commission of Tehuacan Valley are responsible for organizing protests and strikes that discourage foreign investment.
On 29 December 2005, Martin Barrios was detained and charged after a local maquila owner made allegations that he had tried to blackmail him. The detention appeared to have been used as an apparent attempt to prevent him from carrying out his legitimate human right work. He was released on 12 January 2006 after being pardoned by the local maquila owner who had accused him. After his release, Martin Barrios stated that he had never asked the maquila owner for a pardon because he is innocent of the charges brought against him, and said that he would not be deterred from continuing carrying out his work.
Lawyers working on behalf of Martin Barrios have submitted a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, calling for precautionary protection measures to be implemented to ensure his safety.
Martin Barrios Hernandez has previously been threatened and intimidated as a result of his human rights activities. On 30 December 2003 he was seriously assaulted outside his home (see UA 26/04, AMR 41/004/2004, 21 January 2004). No one has yet been brought to justice for the attack.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language :
expressing concern for the safety of Martin Barrios Hernandez, his family, and that of the members of the Human and Labour Rights Commission of Tehuacan Valley, as a result of an alleged plan to kill Martin Barrios Hernandez ;
calling for the authorities to take action to guarantee the safety of Martin Barrios Hernandez, his family, and members of the Human and Labour Rights Commission of Tehuacan Valley, in accordance with their wishes ;
calling for an impartial, prompt and full investigation into the alleged threat on the life of Martin Barrios Hernandez, and for those responsible to be brought to justice ;
reminding the authorities of their duty to carry out an independent and impartial investigation into the prosecution of Martin Barrios Hernandez and the alleged fabrication of charges against him, with the results to be made public ;
reminding the authorities that the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms recognizes the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals.
APPEALS TO :
State Governor of Puebla : Lic. Mario Marin Torres
Gobernador del Estado de Puebla
14 Oriente, No. 1006, Colonia El Alto, Puebla, Mexico
Fax : + 52 222 213 8 /
E-mail : gobernador puebla.gob.mx
Salutation : Dear Gobernor/ Estimado Gobernador
Attorney General of Puebla : Maestra Blanca Laura Villeda Martinez
Procuradora General de Justicia del Estado de Puebla
Boulevard 5 de mayo y 31 Oriente, Colonia Ladrillera de Benitez, Puebla, Puebla, CP 72539, Mexico
Fax : + 52 222 240 8105 /
E-mail:titular.pgj puebla.gob.mx
Salutation : Dear Attorney General/Estimada Procuradora
Director of Human Rights - Interior Ministry : Dr. Ricardo Sepulveda
Secretaria de Gobernacion
Reforma 99, PISO 21, PH, Colonia Tabacalera, C.P. 06030, Mexico D.F. Mexico
Fax : + 52 55 51 28 02 34 (if someone answers say : « tono de fax, por favor »)
Salutation : Dear Sir/Estimado Doctor
COPIES TO :
Human rights organization
Comision de Derechos Humanos y Laborales del Valle de Tehuacan
Boulevard Heroe de Nacozary 210, Colonia Zaragoza, Tehuacan, C.P. 75770 Puebla, Mexico
Human rights organization
Centro de Derechos Humanos « Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez » A.C., (PRODH)
Serapio Rendon 57-B, Col. San Rafael, 06470, Mexico D.F. Mexico
Ambassade des Etats Unis Mexicains : Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 94, 1050 Bruxelles
Fax : 02.644.08.19 /
Fax : 02.646.87.68 /
Email :embamexbelgica-ue skynet.be
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 28 March 2006.
