The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights
http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/


                          Human Rights Defenders
                                     
                              Case MEX 141096

The  International  Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests  your  URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Mexico.

Brief description of the situation :
The  International  Secretariat expresses its deep concern  at  the  grave
threats  to  the right to life, the safety and liberty of the members  and
leaders  of the Miguel Agustin Pro Human Rights Centre (PRODH), member  of
the SOS/Torture network, and in general for all human rights defenders  in
Mexico.

FIACAT - International Federation of Christian Action for the Abolition of
Torture - also member of the network, has alerted the Secretariat  of  new
threats made against members of PRODH.

On  October 7 1996, when the lawyer Ms Pilar NORIEGA was about to leave on
a  trip  to  Washington  to  attend  a  meeting  with  the  Inter-American
Commission,  a  message arrived at the PRODH office which stated  that  Ms
NORIEGA was going to fly but ^Óin a thousand pieces^Ô.

On  October 9 a new anonymous message arrived stating ^Óthe tragic hour  is
near^Ô  and  making  detailed  reference to the  professional  and  private
activities of PRODH members and their families. The message also  revealed
a strict and continuous surveillance, including by telephone, of the PRODH
offices, the mentioned people^Òs houses and their movements.

According  to  the  information received, until  now  there  is  no  clear
evidence  that  the  authorities have actually started  taking  action  to
investigate the alleged facts and sanction those responsible.

The  International Secretariat recalls that during the last few weeks  the
lawyers Ms Pilar NORIEGA, Ms Digna OCHOA and Mr Enrique FLOTA, members  of
PRODH,  received insistent death threats (see appeals MEX 270996  and  MEX
290896).  This situation is believed to be partly motivated by  the  legal
assistance  these  lawyers gave to people accused  of  belonging  to  EZLN
(Zapatista National Liberation Army), who declared they had been forced to
confess to such accusations under torture.

The   International  Secretariat  stresses  its  concern  at  the  general
situation  of threats and harassment of human rights defenders  and  legal
advisers  to victims and social activists. Such actions point  clearly  to
the  will  to  prevent  assistance to victims  of  violations  and  ensure
impunity for those responsible for the violations.

Action requested :
Please write to the Mexican authorities, urging them to :

i.  guarantee  at all times respect of the right to life, the freedom  and
    personal  safety of the people mentioned, as well as their colleagues,
    other  members and leaders of PRODH and their families, and all  other
    human rights defenders;

ii. carry  out  a rapid, exhaustive and impartial investigation  into  the
    alleged  facts in order to identify those responsible, bring  them  to
    trial  before a competent and impartial tribunal and apply the  penal,
    civil and/or administrative santions as provided by the law;

iii.ensure  that  all  detentions, charges  and  sentences  imposed  as  a
    consequence  of  confessions obtained through torture  and  other  ill
    treatment  be  placed  under  the  scrutiny  of  the  competent  civil
    judicial authority;

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.  Dr.  Ernesto  Zedillo  Ponce de Leon, Presidente  de  la  Republica,
Palacio Nacional, C.P. 06065, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Fax (+ 52 5) 515 17 94
o/or  271 17 64  o/or  515 47 83 o/or 516 57 62
Lic.  Emilio  Chuayffet Chemor, Secretario de Gobernacion,  Secretaria  de
Gobernacion, Bucareli 99, 2º piso, Col. Juárez, México, D.F.,  Mexico  Fax
(+ 52 5) 546 53 50 o/or 592 42 30
Dr.   Antonio   Lozano  Gracia,  Procurador  General  de   la   Republica,
Procuraduria  General,  Violeta y Reforma  s/n  2º  piso,  Col.  Guerrero,
Mexico, D.F. CP 06300 México. Fax: (+ 52 5) 626 44 26
Lic.  Jorge  Madrazo  Cuellar, Presidente Comision  Nacional  de  Derechos
Humanos,  Periferico sur 3469, Col. San Jerónimo Lídice, Deleg.  Magdalena
Contreras, C.P. 10200, Mexico, D.F., Mexico.  Fax.: (+ 52 5) 631 26 33
Embassy of Mexico in your respective countries.

Geneva, 14 October 1996

Kindly  inform us of all action undertaken quoting the code number of  the
presnet 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