AMR 41/047/2006
Further information on UA 227/06 (AMR 41/041/2006, 24 August 2006) –
Fear for safety/use of excessive force/ fear of torture/ ill-treatment . New concern : Arbitrary detention
MEXICO : Members of the teachers’ union Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educacion (SNTE), Oaxaca sector (magisterial)
Members of the Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO (Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca)
Ramiro Aragon Perez (m), biologist
German Mendoza Nube (m), teacher
New names : Pedro GarcÌa GarcÌa (m), student
Abraham Martinez Alavez (m), former rector of Oaxaca university
03 October 2006
There have been repeated reports of arbitrary arrest, threats, beatings and intimidation of protestors in the city of Oaxaca, and of those perceived as supporting demonstrations calling for the state governor’s resignation. The state authorities have reportedly failed to prevent or investigate human rights abuses by the security forces and unidentified armed individuals working them. Some groups of protestors have also reportedly intimidated and threatened supporters of the state governor and public officials.
According to reports, on 1 October Pedro Garcia Garcia left the University Radio station - which has been occupied by students supporting the demonstrations - in the company of his girlfriend. Two armed men wearing civilian clothes ran up behind them firing their guns, shouting : « Ahora sÌ te agarramos » (« Now we have got you »). Pedro Garcia Garcia was kicked and punched to the ground and was struck in the head with a pistol butt. He was then bundled into a waiting vehicle and driven off. Despite friends and family seeking information on Pedro Garcia Garcia’s whereabouts, the authorities reportedly denied any knowledge of his detention. However, early in the morning of 2 October a court official visited the women’s prison of Tlacolula and confirmed that Pedro Garcia Garcia is being detained there. His physical condition reportedly indicated that he had been beaten and he stated that he had not received medical attention. It is not known if charges have been filed against him.
According to reports, on 27 September, six unidentified gunmen forced their way into the family home of the former rector of Oaxaca university, Abraham Martinez Alavez. He was not at home but the attackers reportedly kicked, punched and threatened those present, including his relatives, in an effort to force them to reveal his whereabouts. The gunmen searched the house, but did not steal any property. Abraham Martinez Alavez had been publicly identified as supporting the protests against the governor on a website that now closed down.
Members of the National Union of Education Workers (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la EducaciÛn, SNTE), have been out on strike, occupying the Main Square and blockading the surrounding streets of Oaxaca City since 22 May, demanding the governor’s resignation. Other social movements (under the umbrella of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO) have been supporting their demands. Negotiations between the federal Interior Ministry, protestors and the state governor have not so far resulted in a solution. Federal officials have recently suggested that they will send federal police and the military to Oaxaca to restore public order. On 30 September, military helicopters flew low repeatedly over Oaxaca city centre, causing alarm amongst protesters.
On 2 October small explosives were detonated in three banks in Oaxaca. A previously unheard of armed opposition group, the Armed Revolutionary Organization of the People of Oaxaca (OrganizaciÛn Revolucionaria Armada del Pueblo de Oaxaca, ORAPO), claimed responsibility. APPO representatives denied involvement.
Amnesty International recognizes the obligation of the state and federal authorities to guarantee public security while ensuring the right to peaceful protest. However, there is grave concern that a major police or military operation may result in serious human rights violations.
Amnesty International has received reports that Ramiro Aragon Perez and German Mendoza Nube continue to be detained, charged with illegal possession of firearms. They both deny the charges and claim that the evidence against them is fabricated. There are questions over the fairness of the legal proceedings against them.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language :
calling on the authorities to guarantee the safety of Pedro Garcia Garcia, as well as Abraham Martinez Alavez and his family ;
calling on the authorities to ensure a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the beating and arrest of Pedro Garcia Garcia ;
calling for him to be either charged with a recognizable criminal offence and guaranteed a fair trial or else released ;
calling on the authorities to ensure the attack on the home and family of Abraham Martinez Alavez is investigated and those responsible are brought to justice ;
calling on the federal and state authorities to ensure the human rights of all protestors are respected, including the right to demonstrate peacefully and not to be arbitrarily detained or subject to threats, harassment or ill-treatment ;
urging the federal and state authorities to ensure that all measures taken to address the crisis in Oaxaca fully respect international human rights law and do not contribute to a worsening pattern of human rights violations.
APPEALS TO :
President of Mexico :
Lic. Vicente Fox Quesada
Presidente de los Estados Unidos de MÈxico
Residencia Oficial de « Los Pinos », Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, Mexico, D.F. Mexico
Fax : + 52 5 55 2 77 23 76
Salutation : Dear President/Estimado Presidente
Minister of the Interior :
Lic. Carlos Abascal Carranza
Secretario de Gobernacion, SecretarÌa de GobernaciÛn
Bucareli 99, 1er. piso, Col. Juarez, Delegacion Cuauhtemoc, Mexico D.F., C.P.06600, MEXICO
Fax : + 52 55 5093 3414
Salutation : Dear Minister/ Estimado Secretario de GobernaciÛn
Federal Attorney General : Lic. Daniel Cabeza de Vaca
Procurador General de la Republica, Procuraduria General de la Republica
Mexico D.F., C.P. 06 500,
MEXICO
Fax : + 525 55 346 0983 (if a voice reply say : « me da tono de fax por favor »)
Salutation : Dear Attorney General
Governor of Oaxaca :
Ulises Ruiz Ortiz
Gobernador del Estado de Oaxaca, Carretera Oaxaca, Puerto Angel, Km. 9.5
Santa MarÌa Coyotopec, C. P. 71254, Oaxaca, Oaxaca,
MEXICO
Fax : + 52 951 511 6879 (if someone answers, ask « tono de fax, por favor »)
Salutation : SeÒor Gobernador/Dear Governor
COPIES TO :
Human rights organization in Oaxaca
Red Oaxaqueoa de derechos humanos
Calle Crespo 524 Interior 4-E, Col. Centro, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, CP. 68000, 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 14 November 2006.
Communication au réseau Action Urgente septembre 2006
Nous vous souhaitons une bonne rentrée et nous espérons que vous avez passé de bonnes vacances. Pour le service des Actions Urgentes, il n’y a pas de vacances qui tiennent ! Et durant ces deux mois, nous avons reçu des « bonnes nouvelles » à la pelle. En voici quelques-unes :
Bouleversé par le soutien d’Amnesty International : Lorsqu’il s’est entretenu avec des représentants d’Amnesty International après sa libération, Weja Chicampo était fatigué et ému. Il a déclaré avoir été bouleversé par toutes les lettres envoyées par des membres de l’organisation. Il ne les avait pas vues lui-même, mais son cousin l’avait informé de l’arrivée de chacune de ces lettres. Il a remercié Amnesty International pour son soutien, et tout spécialement les membres qui se sont mobilisés en sa faveur.(AFR 24/003/2004 ; AU 116/04)
Honduras : le 23 juin, les prisonniers d’opinion Marcelino et Leonardo Miranda ont été acquitté et toutes les poursuites à leur encontre, dans une affaire de meurtre montée de toute pièce sûrement en représailles à leur combat en faveur des sans-terre, ont été abandonnées (AMR 37/006/2003 ; UA 128/03).
