The Human Rights Actions Network SOS- Torture The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Mexico. Brief description of the situation : The Mexican League for the Defense of Human Rights (LIMEDDH), a member of the network, has expressed grave concern over the acts of torture inflicted against Mr Pascual Angel GONZALEZ ALVAREZ, and the impunity with which the authors of these acts carry them out. According to LIMEDDH, Mr GONZALEZ ALVAREZ, detained in the "Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Oriente", in Mexico city from the 17th of June 1996, was submitted to torture. These facts have been confirmed by the Federal District's Commission for Human Rights. Two guards at the Centre, Armando Garcia Enriquez and Macario Cornejo Rico, are alleged to be the authors. Mr GONZALEZ ALVAREZ was sentenced by the 15th Criminal Tribunal for the crime of robbery from the above-mentioned guards. According to the statement, the same guards beat him every three days. Other guards have also beaten him but they have not been identified. A forensic expert visited Mr GONZALEZ ALVAREZ and found several proofs of torture, in particular a graze, contusions on the right arm, in the lumbar region, on both gluteals and on the left leg. Mr GONZALEZ ALVAREZ also complained of pains in his left ear and a loss of hearing capacity presumably due to the blows he received. The lesions observed appeared to be in different stages of healing, which leads us to believe that they were inflicted at different times. The International Secretariat expresses its grave concern over the described facts, and in particular over the physical and psychological integrity of Mr Pascual Angel GONZALEZ ALVAREZ and recalls that Mexico is party to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, which prohibits such acts, and obliges the State to investigate them and sanction the authors. Action requested: Please write to the Mexican authorities urging them to: i. immediately put an end to the torture and cruel treatment inflicted on Mr Pascual Angel GONZALEZ ALVAREZ and ensure his physical and psychological integrity, including giving him access to appropriate medical care; ii. open an exhaustive and impartial enquiry into the alleged facts in order to identify those responsible, bring them before a civil tribunal and apply the civil, penal and/or administrative sanctions provided by law; iii.ensure the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country, in particular the right to life and physical and psychological integrity in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses: S.E. Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon Presidente de la Republica Palacio Nacional C.P. 06065, Mexico, D.F. Mexico Fax (+ 52 5) 271 17 64 o/or 515 47 83 o/or 516 57 62 Lic. Esteban Moctezuma Barragan Secretario de Gobernacion Secretaria de Gobernacion Bucareli 99, 2º piso Col. Juarez, Mexico, D.F. Mexico Fax (+ 52 5) 546 73 88 o/or 547 03 21 o/or 546 51 33 Dr. Antonio Lozano Gracia Procurador General de la Republica Mexicana Procuraduria General violeta y Reforma s/n 2º piso Col. Guerrero, Mexico, D.F. CP 06300 Mexico Fax: (+ 52 5) 626 44 26 Lic. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar Presidente Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos Periferico sur 3469 Col. San Jeronimo Lidice Deleg. Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, Mexico, D.F. Mexico. Fax.: (+ 525) 631 26 33 The Mexican diplomatic representatives in your country. Geneva, 23rd August 1996