rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (06/26/91)
/** reg.guatemala: 106.0 **/
** Topic: PAID AD TEXT [STOP TORTURE! **
** Written 10:45 am Jun 23, 1991 by ghrc in cdp:reg.guatemala **
The Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA, as part of the
"Campaign to END Torture in Guatemala: MAKE IT STOP!", is
organizing the insertion of a full-page paid ad addressed to
President Serrano in the Guatemalan newspaper Siglo Veintiuno (SEE
PAID AD TEXT BELOW).
We are asking $10-$20 per individual signer and $50-$100 for per
organizational signer. We have estimated that for GHRC/USA to
cover the cost of this paid ad project we will need to receive $15
per individual and $75 per organization. Please be generous in
your contribution. Extra donations to the MAKE IT STOP! campaign
are also welcome. Kindly respond with tear off below and your
donation by July 9.
PAID AD TEXT: MAKE IT STOP!
To President Serrano:
We, the undersigned individuals and organizations in the United
States, want to express our profound concern regarding the
continued use of torture by members of the Guatemalan government
security forces. Since your inauguration in January there have
been over 40 documented cases of torture in Guatemala. Victims of
torture include indigenous rights activists, educators, union
leaders, human rights activists, students, religious leaders and
even children. This practice violates international law ratified
by Guatemala, domestic law included in the Guatemalan
Constitution, as well as every law of human decency. It must
stop!
Nor are foreign citizens safe from torture in Guatemala. Two
recent incidents include the June 1990 brutal torture and killing
of U.S. national Michael DeVine in El Peten and the November 1989
kidnapping, torture and rape of U.S. Sister Dianna Ortiz. We urge
you as President and Commander-in-Chief to reopen the Special
Commission to investigate the case of Sister Dianna Ortiz and in
doing so make the first step towards ending the impunity with
which security forces and civilian patrols violate the rights of
Guatemalans and foreign citizens.
We hope your stated desire for peace and respect for human rights
is sincere and that you will use your influence as President to
end the practice of torture which continues to silence voices of
dissent and to stifle the possibility for justice and peace in
Guatemala.
(tear and return to GHRC/USA by July 9, 1991)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I (WE) WANT TO SIGN ON! I (WE) WILL
GET OTHERS TO SIGN ON
Name of Individual and/or Organization
Address (for our information)
Phone
Amount Enclosed* $10 $20 $50 $100 other
I DO NOT WANT MY NAME/ORGANIZATION TO APPEAR
I would like a copy of the ad that appears in Siglo Veintiuno
* Please enclose $10-$20 per INDIVIDUAL and $50-$100 per
ORGANIZATION depending upon your available resources. Send checks
to the Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA 1359 Monroe Street
NE, Washington DC, 20017, telephone # 202-529-6599, fax # 202-
526-4611
** End of text from cdp:reg.guatemala **