christic@igc.org (06/29/91)
/* Written 4:40 pm Jun 28, 1991 by nicanetny in cdp:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "Gramajo: CCR Denounces Retaliation" ---------- */
Center for Constitutional Rights
666 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10012
212-614-6464
For Immediate Release
June 28, 1991
US ATTORNEYS DENOUNCE THREATENED RETALIATION
IN WAKE OF LAWSUITS AGAINST GENERAL GRAMAJO,
WARN OF POSSIBLE LEGAL SANCTIONS IN THE U.S.
New York, June 28, 1991 -- Lawyers at the Center for
Constitutional Rights said today that at least four religious
workers in Guatemala have been targeted for retaliation by the
Guatemalan Army after Guatemalan plaintiffs filed two human
rights lawsuits against General Hector Gramajo, the country's
former Minister of Defense. The existence of the list of those
targeted was disclosed by several independent sources in
Guatemala, including two Army officers.
Lawyers at CCR warned today that any attempt to intimidate
potential witnesses in the lawsuit by threatening or harming
religious figures or others would constitute a crime in the
United States. "The United States has strong laws protecting the
judicial process. Actions designed to intimidate potential
witnesses in these cases would violate U.S. law, and could lead
to criminal prosecutions, with fines of up to $250,000 and prison
terms of up to ten years," according to Beth Stephens, an
attorney for the plaintiffs.
"It should be understood that there could be grave legal
consequences should there be any interference with the process of
justice in U.S. federal courts," Stephens added. "The Guatemalan
Army may run the courts in Guatemala, but they don't run the
courts in the United States. These threats are typical of an
army which has the worst human rights record in this hemisphere."
Although those targeted are not participating in the
lawsuit, the Guatemalan Army apparently blames various
organizations, including the Church, for exposing Army human
rights abuses. All of the targeted individuals are active in
community service projects. Although the lawsuits name only
General Gramajo as defendant, Army spokesmen have condemned the
lawsuits as an attack on the Army as a whole.
The first lawsuit against Gramajo was filed on June 6, 1991
by CCR on behalf of nine victims of a program of human rights
abuses designed and directed by Gramajo which included murder,
disappearance and torture. The second was filed on June 13, 1991
on behalf of Sister Dianna Ortiz, a U.S. nun who was abducted,
brutally tortured and raped by security forces operating under
Gramajo's orders.
For more information, contact Beth Stephens, Center for
Constitutional Rights, 212-614-6424. After July 1, contact Bea
Mullins at CCR, 212-614-6464.