From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord@igc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Date: 26 Jul 92 15:52 PDT
Subject: AI: Guatemala Ill-Treatment
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476700273:000:6204
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Jul 26 15:52:00 1992


From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: AI: Guatemala Ill-Treatment


/* Written  3:45 pm  Jul 26, 1992 by hrcoord in cdp:ai.uan */
/* ---------- "UA 239/92 Guatemala: Ill-Treatment" ---------- */
UA 239/92         Ill-treatment                24 July 1992
GUATEMALA:        Indigenous peasants

Amnesty International is concerned at the ill-treatment by
Guatemalan riot police during a legal and peaceful
demonstration by indigenous peasants in front of the
National Palace on 21 July 1992. Many people, including the
elderly and children were reportedly kicked and beaten with
clubs and many others were arrested, when the National
Police tried to prevent demonstrators from congregating in
the Parque Central (Central Park) in front of the National
Palace as they tried to hand in a petition to President
Serrano.

According to information received by Amnesty International,
over 500 families from the Finca (farm) Pampas del
Horizonate, in the village of Cajola, Quetzaltenango
department peacefully occupied the square in front of the
National Palace on 21 July 1992 following a march, which had
been authorized. National Police in riot gear reportedly
attempted to deny the peasants access as they neared the
National Palace. The Procuradora Adjunto de los Derechos
Humanos (Assistant Human Rights Procurator), Lic. Mar!a
Eugenia de Sierra intervened after verifying the validity of
the authorization for the march, and the demonstrators were
allowed to proceed. However, at approximately 4.45pm, as the
march reached the Central Park, riot police reportedly
attacked the demonstrators, beating anyone in their path.
The peasants, including old people and children, were
reportedly brutally kicked and beaten with clubs. Teargas
was also fired directly into the crowd. Many of the injured
were taken to hospital. Others were reportedly arrested by
police.

Although Amnesty International recognizes the law-
enforcement duties of the security forces, it is deeply
concerned at reports that individuals have been injured as a
result of the apparent arbitrary use of excessive force by
police personnel during the demonstration.

Interior Minister Fernando Hurtado Prem, responsible for the
police in Guatemala, resigned on 23 July 1992 following
widespread condemnation of the police action.

The peasants were demanding government action in a dispute
over land dating back to 1986 when the peasants invaded land
in Cajola to which they claimed legal title. A court
subsequently turned down their claim and the peasants were
evicted from the land. Since then the peasants have
continued to demand that the land be returned to them.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
President Jorge Serrano Elias came to power in January 1991.
During his presidential campaign he had pledged to ensure
protection of human rights. However, Amnesty International
remains seriously concerned at continuing human rights
violations in Guatemala, including extrajudicial executions,
death threats, torture and "disappearances". Even in cases
where the identity of the perpetrators is unclear, the
choice of victim and the manner in which the abuses have
been carried out frequently suggest the involvement of
members of the official security forces.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:  Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:
- expressing concern at the reported excessive use of force
by riot police belonging to the National Police against
peaceful demonstrators, during which many people were
injured, some requiring hospitalization;
- asking that there be an immediate and impartial
investigation into the conduct of the riot police, and that
those found responsible of excessive use of force be
prosecuted;
- asking about the legal situation of those arrested and
urging that they be treated humanely in detention, and that
they be granted access to their families and to legal
counsel.

APPEALS TO:                       [Salutation]
President:
[Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente / Dear President]

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

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

Senor Ministro de Gobernacion
Ministerio de Gobernacion
Despacho Ministerial, Of. No. 8
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
(Telegrams:  Ministro de Gobernacion, Guatemala, Guatemala)
(Telephone: 011 502 2 21212 ext. 500, 011 502 2 518105-6
            (direct)
(Faxes: 011 502 2 518105)
(Telexes: 305 5085 MINGOB)


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

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

Head of the National Police:
[Sr. Director / Dear Mr Director]

Lic. Jose Maria Melendez
Director General de la Polic!a Nacional
6 Avenida 13-71
Zona 1, Guatemala
Guatemala
(Telegrams: Director General de la Policia Nacional,
            Guatemala, GUATEMALA)
(Faxes: 011 502 2 27521)


[Sr. Presidente / Dear President]
President of the Human Rights Commission of Congress:

Lic. Oliverio Garcia Rodas
Presidente Comisi"n de Derechos Humanos
Congreso Nacional de la Republica
9 Av. 9-48, Zona 1
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
(Telegrams: Presidente Comision de Derechos Humanos,
           Guatemala, Guatemala)


COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Human Rights Procurator:

Lic. Ramiro de Leon Carpio
Procurador de los Derechos Humanos
Avenida Simeon Canas 10-60 Zona 2,
Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Trade union

Union Sindical de Trabajadores de Guatemala
(UNSITRAGUA)
11 Calle 8-14, Zona 1
Oficina 34, 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 September 4, 1992.