The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case HND 051196 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your intervention in the following situation in Honduras. Brief description of the situation CODEHUCA - Comision para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos en Centroamerica - member of the network, and COFADEH - Comite de Familiares de Detenidos-Desaparecidos en Honduras - associate of CODEHUCA, have expressed their grave concern for the career promotion of a number of military officers allegedly involved in grave human rights violations in the past. On Wednesday 3 October 1996, the National Congress of Honduras promoted 68 military officers, several of whom have been accused of having been members of Paramilitary Unit 3 - 16, created in the 80's. Among the mentioned officers are: Napoleon NAZAR, Rene MARADIAGA PANCHAME, Jose Antonio FIALLOS SANDOVAL, Marcio Rodolfo NUNEZ PEREIRA, Mario Alberto CASTILLO and Donatilo REYES REYES, who have been accused of grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity by the National Human Rights Commissioner; and David Abraham MENDOZA, Andres Wilfredo URTECHO JEAMBORDE and Julio Cesar FUNEZ ALVAREZ who have allegedly been accused of being members of death squads intended to eliminate presumed criminals. The International Secretariat stresses its concern for the mentioned facts, in particular for the impunity which the promotions represent and for the lack of respect for the victims of said violations and their families. Action requested : Please write to the Honduran authorities, urging them to : i. revise the National Congress's decision and order its suspension until accusations against the officers have been verified; ii. guarantee an exhaustive and impartial investigation into the mentioned officers' responsibility for gross human rights violations and, if charges are found to be valid, bring them before an impartial court and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions in accordance with the laws in force; iii. ensure the victims' and their families' right to obtain adequate redress and compensation; iv. guarantee the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country, in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses : S.E. Carlos Roberto Reina Presidente de la Republica de Honduras Casa Presidencial Tegucigalpa Honduras Fax : + 504 34 49 47 and 34 19 66 and 22 10 30 Telex : 1129 MMRR HO/1429 HO Lic. Edmundo Orellana Mercado Fiscal General Fiscalia General de la Republica Ministerio Publico 4 Avda Colonia Palmira Edificio Castillo Poujol contiguo del Colegio de Enfermeras Tegucigalpa Honduras Fax : + 504 39 36 97 and 39 36 98 Lic. Leo Valladares Lanza Comisionado Nacional para la Proteccion de los Derechos Humanos, Edificio Las Cumbres, Quinto Piso Ave. Cervantes, Apdo. 2986 Tegucigalpa Honduras Fax : + 504 38 75 38 E-mail : lvl@ns.hondunet.net General Mario Raul Hung Pechecho Jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas Estado Mayor de las Fuerzas Armadas Fax : + 504 33 79 97 Ing. Carlos Flores Facusse Presidente Congreso Nacional Congreso Nacional Hondureno. Fax : + 504 38 60 48 Geneva, 5 November 1996 Please inform us of all action taken quoting the code of the present appeal. 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