From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
Subject: Honduras Urgent Action: CODEH member threatened
Date: 9 Apr 92 22:46:52 GMT
Article-I.D.: mont.1992Apr9.224652.11592
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Organization: PACH
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu

/** reg.honduras: 45.0 **/
** Topic: Amnesty Urgent Action: Antonio Zel **
** Written  1:13 am  Apr  7, 1992 by web:chisa in cdp:reg.honduras **
TO: International Community                            6 April 92
FROM: CHISA, Vancouver, B.C., Canada


                      Honduras Urgent Action:
                       Amnesty International
             Fears for Safety of Antonio Zelaya Reyes
                     ************************

We received the following today:

"Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of
Antonio Zelaya Reyes, President of the regional Olancho Department
chapter of CODEH -- the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights
in Honduras.  He was attacked at about 6pm, 25 March by an alleged
agent of the National Investigations Directorate (DNI).

The incident occurred at the studios of Radio Catacamas in Olancho
as Zelaya was preparing for daily CODEH program on national and
regional human-rights abuses.  According to CODEH, an armed man in
plainclothes, identified by Zelaya and witnesses as a DNI agent,
broke into the studios and told Zelaya he was going to kill him.
At that point the gunman was reportedly disarmed by witnesses.  He
then fled.

Antonio Zelaya Reyes had reportedly been warned indirectly 48
hours before the attack that his life was in danger.  Two CODEH
workers in San Pedro Sula, Cortes Department, have also reportedly
received the same threats.

BACKGROUND

Human rights activists in Honduras, and in particular members of
CODEH, have for many years been the targets of killings, physical
attacks, intimidation, and death threats.  In January 1988, Miguel
Angel Pavon, President of the San Pedro Sula chapter of CODEH, was
shot dead, allegedly by men linked to a military intelligence
unit.  More recently, prominent members of CODEH including its
President, Dr. Ramon Custodio Lopez, have received repeated
anonymous death threats.  No one has ever been brought to justice
for any of these incidents, the circumstances of which suggest the
possible participation of official security forces, or of groups
acting with their acquiescence.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

* Expressions of concern at the attempted assault on Antonio
Zelaya Reyes by a man Identified as a DNI agent, and at the death
  threats received by him and other CODEH members

* Requests for an immediate and thorough investigation of the
  incident and the prosecution of those found responsible

* Urge that effective measures be taken to ensure the personal
  safety of Antonio Zelaya Reyes and other members of CODEH in
  Honduras, and to prevent similar attacks and harassment in the
  future.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO:

S.E. Rafael Leonardo Callejas      ("Dear President Callejas")
Presidente de la Republica de Honduras Casa Presidencial
Telegrams:  President Callejas 6th Avenida, 1st Calle
Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tegucigalpa, Honduras    Telexes: 1429 HO
Faxes: + 504 379-656

Dr. Mario Carias Zapata            ("Your Excellency") Ministro de
Relaciones Exteriores Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Edificio
Atalaya        Telegrams: Ministro Relaciones Exteriores Avenida
La Paz                     Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tegucigalpa,
Honduras   Telexes: ll29 MMRR   Faxes: + 504 310-097

Lic. Leonardo Matute Murillo       ("Dear Attorney General")
Procurador General de la Republica Procuraduria General de la
Republica Calle Principal 107     Telegrams: Procurador General de
la Republica Colonia Reforma                    Tegucigalpa,
Honduras Tegucigalpa, Honduras       Faxes: + 504 383-130

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

  Dr. Ramon Custodio Lopez              Col. Noe Flores Velasquez
  President, CODEH                      Director General, DNI
  Apartado Postal 3189                  Barrio La Fuente
  Tegucigalpa, Honduras                 Avenida Lempira 515
                                        Tegucigalpa, Honduras

  (Newspaper)                           Mr. Felipe Paredes Machado
  Sr. Director                          Charge d'Affaires Diario
  Tiempo                         Embassy of Honduras 1st Calle,
  5th Avenida N.E., 102      151 Slater St., Suite 300-A Apartado
  Postal 450                   Ottawa, Ontario   K1P 5H3 San Pedro
  Sula, Honduras              Fax: (613) 232-0193

                 PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
                     **********************

The basis for this Urgent Action is included in the current
Hondunet News Bulletin.  We will update the situation of Antonio
Zelaya Reyes when we obtain more information.

Meanwhile, thank you very much for sending appeals to the above
individuals.
                                         CHISA,
                                     Canada-Honduras
                            Information & Support Association

** End of text from cdp:reg.honduras **
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive