PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 13/003/2007

12 April 2007

Further Information on UA 322/05 (AMR 13/011/2005, 19 December 2005) Fear for safety

ARGENTINA Pablo Gabriel Salinas (m), human rights lawyer His wife and four young children

María Angélica Escayola (f) ] human rights lawyers

Alfredo Guevara Escayola (m) ]

Human rights lawyer Pablo Gabriel Salinas has received an anonymous threat apparently related to his work. His life and the lives of his family may be in danger.

On 9 April, Pablo Salinas arrived at his office in the city of Mendoza, Mendoza Province, and found an anonymous letter personally addressed to him. The letter stated, “You are a son of a thousand bitches for defending criminals in jail, piece of shit, watch yourself bitch and your bitch family [sic], defender of murderers, rapists, thieves; start defending the victims of these degenerates, failure piece of shit” (“sos un hijo de mil puta en defender a criminales de la cárcel, sorete, cuídate puto vos y tu puta familia, defensor de homicidas, violadores, ladrones y rateros, empezá a defender a la gente víctima de esos degenerados, fracasado de mierda”).

The following day, Pablo Salinas reported the anonymous threat to Mendoza’s public prosecutor’s office (Unidad Fiscal de Delitos Complejos de la Primera Circunscripción Judicial de Mendoza) and on the same day a petition was made on his behalf to the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, asking the authorities to put in place measures to protect Pablo Salinas and his family.

Pablo Salinas has repeatedly publicly condemned the use of torture and ill-treatment in prisons in Mendoza province. He has also worked on behalf of victims of police brutality, extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations committed by members of the security forces. Pablo Salinas has provided legal representation to victims of human rights violations committed during the period of military rule in Argentina (1976 – 1983). Due to his work in these areas he has repeatedly been the victim of threats and harassment. In December 2005, he received threatening telephone calls, and the office he shared with human rights lawyers María Angélica Escayola and Alfredo Guevara Escayola, was daubed with graffiti. Amnesty International is not aware of any further threats against the other two lawyers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Human rights defenders working in Mendoza are often the target of harassment and threats. Amnesty International has expressed concern for their safety and has consistently asked for thorough and independent investigations into the judicial and public complaints submitted in relation to these threats.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Pablo Salinas and his family;

- calling for an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into the threats of Pablo Salinas and his family; for the results to be made public, and for those responsible to be brought to justice;

- urging the authorities to take the necessary steps to protect and guarantee the safety of Pablo Salinas and his family in accordance with their wishes;

- reminding the authorities of their obligations to recognize the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

APPEALS TO:

Governor of Mendoza Province

Gobernador de la Provincia

Ing. Dn. Julio César Cleto Cobos

Casa de Gobierno

Av. L. Peltier 351- 4to piso

5500 Mendoza, ARGENTINA

Fax: +54 261 449 2142

Salutation: Sr. Gobernador / Dear Governor

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sr. Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto

Sr Jorge Enrique Taiana

Ministerio de Relaciones

Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto

Esmeralda 1212

1007 Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

Fax: +54 11 4819 7324

Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister

Minister of Security of Mendoza Province

Sr. Ministro de Seguridad de la Provincia de Mendoza

Dr. Miguel Bondino

Salta 672

5501 Godoy Cruz, Mendoza

ARGENTINA

Fax: +54 261 449 9083 / 9020 (if voice answers, ask "tono de fax por el Ministro, por favor")

Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister

Undersecretary for Justice Mendoza Province

Sr. Subsecretario de Justiciade la Provincia de Mendoza

Sr. Gustavo Castiñeira de Dios

Ministerio de Gobierno

Salta 672

5504 Godoy Cruz

Mendoza, ARGENTINA

Salutation: Sr. Subsecretario / Dear Undersecretary

COPIES TO:

Legal Office in Mendoza

Rivadavia 680

5500, Mendoza, Provincia de Mendoza, ARGENTINA

Provincial Newspaper

Diario Los Andes

Avda. San Martin 1049

5500 Mendoza

ARGENTINA

Fax: +54 261 420 2011

and to diplomatic representatives of Argentina accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 24 May 2007.