NISGUA ALERT 9/10/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit RAPID RESPONSE ALERT SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 ISSUED BY: NISGUA EMAIL: nisgua@igc.apc.org PHONE: 202-223-6474 HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS THREATENED Background: According to Amnesty International, human rights defenders Felipa Toj Gomez and Manuela Macaria Morales have been forced to leave their homes in the municipality of Chinique, El Quiche, after six armed men wearing hoods and dressed in olive green clothes similar to those worn by the army surrounded their homes on 26 August 1997. The two women are members of the Council of Ethnic Communities "We are all Equal" (Counsejo de Comunidades Etnicas "Runajel Junam", CERJ) and have led human rights workshops aimed specifically at indigenous women. Since the incident, they have been taking refuge in the CERJ offices in the town of Santa Cruz del Quiche. CERJ believes that the latest incident is linked to threats that have been made by two members of the community in which the women live. These two individuals have accused Manuela Macaria Morales, Felipa Toj Gomez and others of belonging to the former Guatemalan guerrilla group, the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) and have been keeping watch on their activities. CERJ has called on the government to undertake an immediate investigation into the incident and to guarantee the safety of the two women. CERJ was formed in July 1988 to protect indigenous peoples' rights and was particularly active in protesting the forced recruitment of peasants into the Civil Defense Patrols (PACs), auxiliary bodies of the armed forces which were implicated in serious human rights violations. Though formally disbanded, former members of the PACs continue to commit human rights violations. Since its foundation, CERJ has been the target of a wide range of human rights violations, in particular directed at its president, Almilcar Mendez Urizar. ACTION REQUEST: Fax Messages of concern to the following Guatemalan Government authorities: 1) President of the Republic S.E. Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen [Salutation: Sr Presidente/Dear President] Palacio Nacional 6a Calle y 7a Avenida, Zona 1 Guatemala, GUATEMALA [Faxes: 011 502 221 4537/ or 230 1502 (if voice, ask 'me puede dar tono de fax, por favor')] [E-mail: alvaroarzu@guateconnect.com] 2) Attorney General Lic. Hector Hugo Perez Aguilera [Salutation: Sr. Fiscal General/Dear Attorney General] Ministerio Publico 6a Avenida 3-11, Zona 4 Guatemala , GUATEMALA [Faxes: 011 502 331 7066] 3) Human Rights Procurator: Lic. Julio Eduardo Arango [Salutation: Sr. Procurador de los Derechos Humanos/Dear Human Rights Procurator] Procaduria de los Derechos Humanos 12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1 Guatemala, GUATEMALA [Faxes: 011 502 238 1734/ or 251 7769] 4) Guatemalan Ambassador to the United States Pedro Miguel Lamport [Salutation: Sr. Embajador/Dear Ambassador] Embassy of Guatemala 2220 R St. NW Washington DC 20008 Fax (USA): 202-745-1908 Message in English: I have learned of recent serious threats against two women in Chinique, El Quiche, on account of their work in defense of human rights. I call on you to take immediate steps to insure their safety and the safety of others who work peacefully to assure the integrity of their communities. I understand that on August 26, six armed men wearing hoods and dressed in clothing similar to that worn by soldiers surrounded the homes of Felipa Toj Gomez and Manuela Macaria Morales. As members of the Council of Ethnic Communities "We are all Equal" (Consejo de Comunicadades Etnicas "Runujel Junam," CERJ), they have led human rights workshops for indigenous women. Their activities have led to spurious accusations that they belong to the URNG. I demand that you insure the safety of Felipa Toj Gomez and Manuela Macaria Morales, and that an investigation into these acts of intimidation be opened immediately. The perpetrators should be brought to justice. I further demand that the Guatemalan government take all necessary steps to adhere to the Global Human Rights Accord, an integral part of the peace agreements. Clause 7 of that accord commits the government to take steps to ensure the security of people and institutions working to protect human rights. Respectfully, Message in Spanish: Me he enterado de las serias amenazas recientemente en contra de dos mujeres en Chinique, El Quiche, debido al trabajo en defensa de Loss Derechos Humanos que desarrollan. Acudo a usted para que de inmediato tome las medidas necesarias que aseguren el bienestar de elllas asi como los demas que trabajan pacificamente en sus comunidades. Segun entiendo, el 26 de agosto seis hombres armados y encapuchados vistiendo ropa similar a la del ejercito rodearon las casas de Felipa Toj Gomez y Manuela Macaria Morales. Como miembras del "Consejo de Comunidades Etnicas Runujel Junam" CERJ, ellas han dirigido talleres de Derechos Humanos para las mujeres indigenas. Por estas actividades ellas han sido acusadas de pertenecer a la URNG. Le exijo que asegure la vida e integridad fisica de Felipa Toj Gomez y Manuela Macaria Morales y que inicie inmediatamente una investigacion sobre estos actos de intimidacion para que los responsables sean procesados conforme a la ley. De la misma manera, exijo al gobierno de Guatemala que actue apegado al Acuerdo Global de Derechos Humanos. La clausura 7 de tal acuerdo delega al gobierno de Guatemala la seguridad de las personas e instituciones que trabajan en la difusion y proteccion de los Derechos Humanos. Respetuosamente, ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytcamer-09.15.97-23:05:29-16176