christic@labrea.Stanford.EDU (06/09/91)
/* Written 12:52 pm Jun 8, 1991 by ghrc in cdp:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "Illegal Arrest of Pablo Itzep" ---------- */
Human Rights Alert June 8, l991
Re-arrest of Pablo Itzep Hernandez
According to information we have received Pablo Itzep
Hernandez was re-arrested and is believed to be
detained, along with five other campesinos arrested
previously. (See Special Alert in UPDATE #20) Pablo
Itzep has apparently been told that he will be killed.
Pablo is believed held in a Chiul in a school with the
others detained recently.
Background:
Pablo Itzep Hernandez, along with five other campesinos
had been illegally arrested and detained from May 26-
May 31. On May 31 the six were taken to the Auxiliary
Human Rights Attorney in Santa Cruz in El Quiche. In
the presence of the attorney they signed declarations
saying that they and their children had collaborated
with the guerillas. After signing they were apparently
granted amnesty, however, only Pablo Itzep was
released.
Pablo Itzep went to the CERJ office and told Amilcar
Mendez that the signatures had been coerced by threats
and intimidations. On June 4, Amilcar Mendez and Pablo
Itzep met with President Serrano. President Serrano
apparently promised during the meeting to guarantee the
safety of Pablo and said he would investigate the case.
On June 5, three armed men (believed to be military
intelligence) came to the human rights office where
Pablo was at the time, saying they had been sent by
President Serrano.. Pablo had stated that day that the
previous "acta" he had signed was done under duress,
that his son was not a guerilla.
On June 6, the nephew of Pablo Itzep came to the CERJ
office to denounce the re-arrest of Pablo Itzep
Hernandez.
No legal proceedings have reportedly been initiated
against him (Article 6 of the Guatemalan Constitution
provides that no one can be arrested or detained
without a warrant issued by the relevant judicial
authority, and that those detained should be brought
before a magistrate within six hours.)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and
airmail letters:
- expressing concern at the reports of the detention
without warrant of Pablo Itzep Hernandez,
-urging that he be brought immediately before a
judicial authority in compliance with constitutional
provisions and that he be granted access to legal
counsel;
- asking for guarantees for his physical safety as he
had been promised.
APPEALS TO [Suggested
Salutation]
Jorge Serrano Elias [Your
Excellency]
Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala
Palacio Nacional (Telexes:
305 5331 CAPRES GU)
Guatemala, Guatemala (Telegrams: Presidente Serrano,
Guatemala, Guatemala) (Faxes: 011 502 2 537472; 011 502
2 519702)
Gral. Luis Francisco Mendoza Garcia [Your
Excellency]
Ministro de Defensa
Ministerio de Defensa
Palacio Nacional
(Faxes: 011 502 2 537472)
Guatemala, Guatemala (Telexes:
305 5361 COMGUA GU)
(Telegrams: Ministro Defensa Mendoza,
Guatemala, Guatemala)