URGENT ACTION

ACTIVIST INCOMMUNICADO IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The whereabouts of male community activist Juan Almonte Herrera have not been known since he was abducted on 28 September in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. He may be held incommunicado by police, and is at risk of enforced disappearance.

On 28 September, Juan Almonte Herrera, a member of Dominican community organization Mundo, was walking to his office in Santo Domingo when he was stopped by four armed men. The men forced him into a car and drove away. Eyewitnesses identified the four armed men as officers from the anti-kidnapping department of the national police. Two hours after his detention, the police announced on TV that they were searching for him because he was being investigated in relation to the kidnapping of a 19-year old man in the eastern coastal town of Nagua.

There are serious concerns that Juan Almonte was arbitrarily arrested. His whereabouts are unknown, and he has had no contact with his family or colleagues.

A habeas corpus action was filed before a court by lawyers representing Juan Almonte’s relatives. On 2 October, the court ordered that the authorities immediately release Juan Almonte, as he had been deprived of his liberty without the order of judicial authorities. The police have not complied with this order.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own language:

• Urging the authorities to take immediate steps to establish the whereabouts of Juan Almonte Herrera, who was abducted, possibly by police officers, on 28 September in Santo Domingo;

• If he is in custody, calling for his immediate release, or otherwise that he be charged with a recognizably criminal offence; and calling for him to be given immediate access to his family, a lawyer and any medical treatment he may require;

• Calling on the authorities to fully investigate the arbitrary detention of Juan Almonte and to bring those responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 20 NOVEMBER 2009 TO: