AMR 41/041/2006
UA 227/06
Fear for safety/use of excessive force/ fear of torture/ ill-treatment/ health concern
MEXICO Members of the teachers’ union Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), Oaxaca sector (magisterial)
Members of the Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO (Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca)
Ramiro Aragn Prez (m), biologist
Germn Mendoza Nube (m), teacher
Killed : Lorenzo San Pablo Cervantes (m), civil servant and APPO supporter
24 August 2006
Security forces have reportedly used excessive and disproportionate force against protestors in the state of Oaxaca. According to local sources, Lorenzo San Pablo Cervantes was shot and killed by security forces on 22 August. A number of others have been injured. Activists Ramiro Aragn Prez and Germn Mendoza Nube are being detained and are at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
The violence in Oaxaca has further escalated since 21 and 22 August, when security forces and other unidentified armed individuals intervened to break up protests and pickets in Oaxaca City by supporters of the political group, the Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO (Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca), and striking teachers’ union Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), Oaxaca sector (magisterial).
In the early hours of 21 August, a group of unidentified armed individuals, some of whom are allegedly members of the security forces, attacked a group of APPO supporters who were reportedly guarding the transmitter of local TV and radio station, Canal 9, which was taken over by protestors on 1 August. The unidentified individuals reportedly shot at APPO supporters, seriously injuring teacher Sergio Vale Jimnez in the leg. He is currently in hospital.
An operation to bring the protests under control was subsequently ordered by the state authorities. Many witnesses report seeing groups of police accompanied by unidentified armed individuals (some of whom were wearing balaclavas) firing guns indiscriminately into the air. Just after midnight on 22 August, members of the security forces allegedly attacked a picket at La Ley 710, one of the radio stations occupied by protesters. An APPO supporter, Lorenzo San Pablo Cervantes, was shot and later died from his injuries. A number of people have been detained in relation to the protests. Many of those detained are reportedly leaders of local social or political organizations and Amnesty International fears their detention may be a reprisal for their legitimate protest activities.
On 10 August,RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language :
calling on the authorities to ensure that the security forces are effectively commanded and controlled to act appropriately during protests, in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials ;
- expressing concern at the killing of Lorenzo San Pablo Cervantes- calling for a prompt, full and impartial investigation into the reported torture and beating of , reminding the authorities their obligations to prohibit torture and ill-treatment under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to follow the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners ;
calling on the authorities to revise the charges levied against detained activists to ensure the evidence against them is adequately substantiated and founded ;
calling on the authorities to ensure Germn Mendoza Nube receives immediate medical attention
APPEALS TO :
Governor of Oaxaca
Ulises Ruiz Ortiz
Gobernador del Estado de Oaxaca, Carretera Oaxaca, Puerto Angel, Km. 9.5
Santa María Coyotopec, C. P. 71254, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, MEXICO
Fax : + 52 951 511 6879 (if someone answers, ask « tono de fax, por favor »)
Salutation : Señor Gobernador/Dear Governor
Attorney General of Oaxaca
Lic. Lizbeth Caña Calez
Procuradora del Estado de Oaxaca
Avenida Luis Echeverría s/n, La Experimental, San Antonio de la Cal, C. P. 71236, Oaxaca,
Oaxaca, MEXICO
Fax : + 52 951 511 5519
Salutation : Estimada Procuradora/Dear Attorney General
Federal Attorney General
Lic. Daniel Cabeza de Vaca
Procurador General de la República, Procuraduría General de la República
Reforma Cuauhtémoc esq.Violeta 75, Col. Guerrero, Delegación Cuauhtémoc
México 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
COPIES TO :
Human rights organization in Oaxaca
Red Oaxaqueña 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 5 October 2006.
