From: Christic Institute <christic@igc.apc.org>
Subject: AI: Guatemala Threats
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 14:11:11 GMT

/* Written  6:06 pm  Jul 23, 1992 by hrcoord in cdp:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "AI: Guatemala Threats" ---------- */
From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: AI: Guatemala Threats

/* Written  7:08 am  Jul 15, 1992 by hrcoord in cdp:ai.uan */


UA 233/92   Threats/Intimidation               14 July 1992
GUATEMALA: Luis Humberto FUENTES MORALES, trade unionist,
                and members of his family

Amnesty International is concerned at the continued
intimidation reported against trade unionist Luis Humberto
Fuentes Morales and members of his family. Luis Humberto
Fuentes Morales is the secretary of the union in the private
company Duralex, where he works, and a member of the Unidad
de Acci"n Sindical y Popular (UASP), Unity of Union and
Popular Accion, a broad coalition of labour and popular
organizations.

According to information received by Amnesty International,
on 6 July 1992 at about 6:00pm six unidentified men went to
the house of Luis Humberto Fuentes Morales and asked his
wife if he was there. They left when they did not find him.

The day after, at about 8:00am, two unidentified men
reportedly went again to the trade unionist's house
inquiring about his whereabouts. He was not at home and the
men left but reportedly came back looking for him several
times that morning. At about 1:00pm Luis Humberto Fuentes
Morales's daughter was allegedly followed from school to her
house by two unidentified men. Her mother, who was
apparently frightened by this incident, tried to make a
telephone call from a public telephone near the house but
was stopped by the same men. Mrs. Fuentes managed to escape
and sought refuge in a store. Later in the day the same men
allegedly went again to the house of Luis Humberto Fuentes
Morales. One of his brothers claimed to be him but the men
did not believe him and demanded to speak to Mr. Fuentes
Morales.

Sources in Guatemala believe that these incidents are linked
to the trade union activities of Luis Humberto Fuentes
Morales and to his role in the negotiations for a new work
contract between the trade union he heads and Duralex,
agreed three weeks ago.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Trade unionists and members of popular movements have been
targeted since the government of Jorge Serrano El!as took
office in January 1991 in a renewed wave of human rights
violations. Amnesty International has learned of a large
number of threats, intimidation, abduction and torture as
well as possible extrajudicial execution against trade union
leaders and members of popular movements in recent months.
The choice of the victim and the manner in which these
abuses have been carried out suggest the involvement of the
security forces in the guise of so-called "death squads".
Many trade unionists have been forced to leave the country
as a result of direct threats or other human rights
violations against themselves and their colleagues, and the
failure of the government to take preventive action.

On 27 May 1992 two sons of a trade unionist were kidnapped
and freed unhurt hours later. Since then Amnesty
International has received several other reports of
intimidation and threats against trade union members.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:
- expressing concern at the continued intimidation of Luis
Humberto Fuentes Morales and members of his family;
- asking for a thorough investigation into these incidents,
that the results be made public and that those found to be
responsible be brought to justice;
- urging that adequate steps be taken to ensure the safety
of Luis Humberto Fuentes Morales and other members of his
family.

APPEALS TO                             [Salutation]
President:
[Excelent!simo Sr. Presidente / Dear President]

S.E. Jorge Serrano El!as
Presidente de la Rep#blica de Guatemala Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
(Telephone: 011 502 2 21212, 011 502 2 22266)
(Telegrams: Presidente Serrano, Guatemala, Guatemala)
(Faxes: 011 502 2 537472, 011 502 2 519702)
(Telexes: 305 5331 CAPRES GU)

Minister of Interior:
[Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister]

Lic. Fernando Hurtado Prem
Ministro de Gobernaci"n
Ministerio de Gobernaci"n
Despacho Ministerial, Of. No. 8
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
(Telexes: 305 5085 MINGOB)
(Faxes: 011 502 2 518105)
(Telegrams: Ministro de Gobernaci"n, Guatemala, Guatemala)
(Telephone: 011 502 2 21212 ext. 500, 011 502 2 518105-6
(direct)

Minister of Defence:
[Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister]

Gral. Jos Garc!a Samayoa
Ministro de Defensa
Ministerio de Defensa
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
(Telephone: 011 502 2 21212, 011 502 2 2226)
(Telegrams: Ministro de Defensa, Guatemala, Guatemala)
(Telexes: 305 5361 COMGUA GU)

Minister of Labor:
[Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister]

Sr. Mario Sol"rzano Mart!nez
Ministro de Trabajo y Previsi"n Social
Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsi"n Social
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
(Fax: 011 (502) (2) 532345)
(Tel: 011 (502) (2) 82522)
(Telegrams: Ministro de Trabajo, Guatemala, Guatemala)
(Telex: 305-5325 RELPUB GU)

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
President of the Human Rights Commission of Congress:

Lic. Oliverio Garc!a Rodas
Presidente
Comisi"n de Derechos Humanos
Congreso Nacional de la Rep#blica
9 Av. 9-48, Zona 1
Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Human Rights Procurator:

Lic. Ramiro de Le"n Carpio
Procurador de Derechos Humanos
Avenida Sime"n Ca$as 10-60 Zona 2, Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Newspaper:

Diario Prensa Libre
13 Calle 9-31, 50 Nivel
Edificio Prensa Libre
Zona 1, Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Ambassador Juan Jose Caso-Fanjul
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R St NW
Washington DC 20008

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the Colorado
office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays
only, if sending appeals after August 25, 1992.

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