Costa Rica: Death in Detention The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case CRI 201196 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your intervention in the following situation in Costa Rica. Brief description of the situation : CODEHUCA (Commission for the Defence of Human Rights in Central America), a member of the network, has expressed its grave concern over the death in detention, on 8 November 1996, of Mr Randall AGUILERA CHACON, 22 years old, in "La Reforma" penitentiary centre. Mr Randall AGUILERA CHACON had been detained since 13 April 1994. On 7 November 1996, during a police inspection of the prisoners, the agents found him in possession of drugs (presumably two stones of crack) which he had hidden in his mouth. Because of this and presumably in order to protect him from other detainees, Mr Randall AGUILERA CHACON was transferred to the high security section. The following day, he was found dead in his cell by a guard. According to the Judicial Investigation Office, Mr Randall AGUILERA CHACON's body showed signs of beatings on a shoulder and on the left nipple. The same Office also suggested that his death might have resulted from a drug overdose. However, according to information received from CODEHU (Costa Rican Commission of Human Rights), the prisoner was beaten by "guards of the centre", which would explain the signs of violence on his body. CODEHU has also commented that the witnesses refused to give testimony to the authorities because they fear reprisals. Action requested : Please write to the Costa Rica authorities urging them to : i. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into circumstances of Mr Randall AGUILERA CHACON's death, in particular presumed acts of violence and the absence of medical assistance, identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by the law in force; ii. guarantee the victim's family the right to appropriate redress and compensation; iii. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses : S.E. Ing. Jose Maria Figueres Presidente de la Republica Casa Presidencial Apartado 100089 San Jose Costa Rica Telex : 2106 (PRESIDE) Fax (+506) 227 48 66 Dr. Juan Diego Castro Ministro de Seguridad Publica y Gobernacion Ministerio de Seguridad Publica y Gobernacion San Jose Costa Rica Fax.: (+506) 253 90 78 Licda Monica Blanco Viceministra de Justicia Fax.: (+506) 253 90 78 Licdo. Juan Diego Castro Ministro de Gobernacion Fax.: (+506) 226 96 76 Geneva, 20 November 1996 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT - SOS Torture Tel: +41-22-733 31 40 Case Postale 119 Fax: +41 22-733 10 51 CH 1211 Geneva 20 Conf: omctsostorture@conf.igc.apc.org Switzerland OMCT@iprolink.ch OMCT is the l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture