Bolivia: APPELLO di Amnesty International

["selvas" <info at selvas.org>]

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Martin Iglesias - Selvas.org

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Dear Friends,

Please find below the preventative urgent action request prepared by Amnesty
International, asking that concerned individuals and organizations contact
Bolivian government officials to express concern for the violent events of
the past weeks.   In the past, pressure from international organizations and
individuals has helped stem government repression. If you have the time and
resources, please send a fax or telegram to one of the officials listed
below.   We will keep you posted on the rapidly changing events here.

Thank you,

Kathryn Ledebur
Director
Andean Information Network

PUBLIC          AI Index: AMR 18/010/2003
UA 289/03       Fear for safety / Excessive use of force        14 October
2003
BOLIVIA Participants in mass demonstrations

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of demonstrators
at mass protests around the country, following the apparent use of excessive
force by the army and the police. Since 20 September, over 50 people,
including three soldiers, have reportedly been killed and several hundred
have been injured. The majority of the victims were reportedly shot. On 13
October, up to 14 people were killed in La Paz, and an undisclosed number
were arrested.

Representatives of the Catholic Church and the non-governmental organization
Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos (Human Rights Permanent Assembly)
have criticized the use of fire arms and high calibre weapons by members of
the security forces. Amnesty International recognizes the duty of the
Bolivian authorities to uphold law and order. However, the organization
condemns the use of excessive force and calls on the authorities to respect
demonstrators' right to life in all circumstances.

The demonstrations are the largest series of protests against the
administration of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada who has been elected
from 2002 until 2007. Demonstrations began in the highlands area (Altiplano)
in mid-September and have mobilized peasants, trade unionists, and sectors
of civil society in several cities, particularly in the area of el Alto,
near the capital La Paz. Demonstrators are demanding social reforms and
protesting against the exportation of Bolivia's natural gas. There have been
also been calls for the President's resignation. Cabinet ministers have
resigned and the Vice President Carlos Meza has withdrawn his support for
the government, even though he is still in office.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in
Spanish, English or your own language:

-recognizing the duty of the Bolivian authorities to maintain law and order
but expressing serious concern for the safety of demonstrators at mass
protests around the country, following the apparent use of excessive force
by the security forces;

-calling on the authorities to ensure that the security forces comply with
UN International standards including the 1979 UN Code of Conduct for Law
Enforcement Officials and the 1990 UN Basic Principles on the use of Force
and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials;

-asking for a thorough and independent investigation by ordinary courts into
the deaths of over 50 people who were reportedly killed during
demonstrations, as well as the injuries sustained by hundreds of others who
were reportedly shot;

-asking the authorities to guarantee the safety of those in detention and
for them to be granted access to lawyers, family members, and medical
assistance if necessary;

-calling for the terms of the investigation and its outcome to be made
public and for those found responsible be brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:

Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Human Rights
Sr. Ministro de la Presidencia e Interino de Justicia y Derechos Humanos
Sr. Guillermo Justiniano
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza Murillo s/n
La Paz, Bolivia
Telegrams:      Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Human Rights, La
Paz, Bolivia
Fax:            + 591 2 22 03996
Salutation:     Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister

Interior Minister
Sr. Ministro de Gobierno
Sr.Yerko Kukoc
Ministerio de Gobierno
Av. Arce No. 2409 esq. Belisario Salinas
La Paz, Bolivia
Telegrams:      Interior Minister, La Paz, Bolivia
Fax:            + 591 2 24 42589
Salutation:     Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sr. Ministro de Relaciones
Exteriores y Culto
Sr. Carlos Saavedra Bruno
Ministerio de Relaciones
Exteriores y Culto
Plaza Murillo, c Ingavi esq. Junin
La Paz, Bolivia
Telegrams:      Ministro Relaciones Exteriores
Fax:            + 591 2 240 8915/ 211 2163/ 240 8293
Salutation:     Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister

COPIES TO:
President of the Republic
Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente de la República
Sr. Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza Murillo s/n
La Paz, Bolivia
Telegrams:      Sr. Presidente de Bolivia, La Paz, Bolivia
Fax:            + 591 22 2 04 213
Salutation:     Sr. Presidente/ Mr. President

NGO
Human Rights Permanent Assembly
Asamblea Permanente
de Derechos Humanos de Bolivia
Av. 20 de Octubre N2019
Edifício Jazmín Piso 2 Of. "b"
Casilla 9282ª, La Paz, Bolivia
Fax:            + 591 2 2 440651 (if someone answers, say "linea de fax por
favor")

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 November 2003.