Huamn Rights Defenders
                      Indigenous Communities
                                 
                          Case GTM 141096
                                 
The  International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture  requests  your
intervention  in  connection  with  the  following  situation   in
Guatemala.

Brief description of the situation

The  Commission for the Defence of Human Rights (CODEHUCA)  member
of the network, has expressed utmost concern at the recent illegal
detention, torture and death of Mr Juan ORTIZ MORALES, aged 70, an
indigenous leader and human rights defender.

According to information received, Mr ORTIZ MORALES disappeared on
5  October  l996  in  Escuintla. His body was recently  found  and
bearing signs of torture and injuries from fire arms.

Juan  ORTIZ  MORALES was one of the founders of  the  Coordinating
Committee  for  the  Mayan  Peoples  Organizations  in  Guatemala
(COPNAGUA),  the Coordinating Committee for the Civil Sectors  and
in the constitution of the Civil Society Assembly.

The   International  Secretariat  stresses  its  concern  at  this
deplorable  event which reveals the high degree of insecurity  and
risk  suffered  by  the members and leaders of various  indigenous
associations,  trade unions and organizations for the  defence  of
human rights.

Action requested

Write to the Guatemalan authorities urging them to:

i.  carry  out  a  complete and impartial investigation  into  the
    facts  described above in order to identify those responsible,
    bring them to trail before a competent and impartial court and
    apply   the   penal,  civil  and/or  administrative  sanctions
    provided by the law;
    
ii. adopt  the necessary measures to guarantee the life and safety
    of  indigenous  leaders,  huamn  rights  defenders  and  their
    families;

iii.guarantee  the  full respect of human rights  and  fundamental
    freedoms  throughout the country, in accordance with  national
    legislation and international standards.

Addresses

S.E. Alvaro Arzu, Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala, Palacio
Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : + 502 2 537 472 or  535  856
ó/or 515 667 or 393 333 or 347 364

Sr.  Rodolfo  Mendoza,  Ministro  de  Gobernacion,  Ministerio  de
Gobernacion,  Despacho Ministerial, Of. Nº  8,  Palacio  Nacional,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : (+ 502 2) 537 472

Dr.  Jorge Mario Garcia Laguardia, Procurador de Derechos Humanos,
12  Avenida 12-72, Zona 1, Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax  :  (+
502 2) 530 08 74 / 530 08 76

Lic. Ramses Cuestas Gomez, Fiscal General de la Nacion, Ministerio
Publico,  18 Calle 10-36, Zona 1, Ciudad de Guatemala,  Guatemala.
Fax : (+ 502 2) 53 75 54 / 53 04 82

The Guatemalan embassy in your respective countries.

Geneva,14 October 1996

Kindly  inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number
of the present 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