Guatemala: threats

Case GTM 160997

The International Secretariat of the OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in connection with the following situation in Guatemala.

Brief description of the situation

Reports received by the Secretariat from reliable sources give rise to
grave concerns over the safety and personal integrity of Ms. Imelda
LOPEZ de SANDOVAL, Secretary General of the Civil Aeronautics Union
and Mr. Felipe de Jesus SIRIN, Secretary General of the National
Police Union (which is currently being set up).

According to reports, both these persons have received death threats
and Mrs Imelda LOPEZ de SANDOVAL has been followed by unidentified men
in a vehicle with dark windows.

As for Mr Felipe de Jesus SIRIN, it is assumed that the threats
against him are the result of complaints following the unjustified
dismissal of seven (7) police agents from Jalapa. This dismissal has
apparently been carried out on the orders of the Governor, as a
reprisal for the arrest of the his nephew (who was apparently caught
in the act of carrying out a crime).

Action requested

Write to the Guatemalan authorities expressing concern at such events
and urging them to:

i.	take the necessary measures in order to guarantee in all
circumstances the safety and personal freedom of Mrs. Imelda LOPEZ de
SANDOVAL and Mr  Felipe de Jesus SIRIN;

ii.	carry out a thorough and  impartial investigation into the facts
mentioned above in order to identify those responsible, bring them to
trial and impose upon them the penal, civil and/or administrative
sanctions provided by law;


iii.	guarantee the full respect of human rights and fundamental
liberties throughout the country in accordance with national laws and
international standards.

Addresses:
.
S.E. Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen, Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala,
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : + 505 221 4537 o
230-1508 E -  mail: alvaroarzu@guateconnect.com

Excmo. Sr. Rodolfo Mendoza, Ministro de Gobernacion, Ministerio de
Gobernacion, Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : + 502 251
5368

Lic. Julio Eduardo Arango.Lic.Procurador de Derechos Humanos, 12
Avenida 12-72, Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : + 502 2 81734

Lic. Hector Hugo Perez Aguilar, Fiscal General de la Nacion,
Ministerio Publico, 18 Calle 10-36 Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax :
+ 502 331 7066

Gral. Julio Arnoldo Balconi Turcios, Ministro de Defensa, Ministerio
de Defensa, Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : + 502 2
317084 


The Guatemalan Embassy in your respective countries 

Geneva, 16th September 1997.

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.