EXTERNALAI Index: AMR 24/03/96

5 November 1996

Further information (2) on UA 216/96 (AMR 24/01/96, 5 September 1996) and follow-up (AMR 24/02/96, 16 October 1996) - Fear for safety

COSTA RICAReina Xiomara ZELAYA GONZÁLEZ, and her daughters:

Maryuri Johanna ZELAYA GONZÁLEZ, aged 6 (f)

Stephanía Xiomara CABALLERO ZELAYA, aged 12 (f)

Cynthia Lorena CABALLERO ZELAYA, aged 13 (f)

The harassment of Reina Xiomara Zelaya González and her young daughters by unidentified men continues unabated despite the family's move to a different address.

On 25 October, two men came to Reina Xiomara Zelaya's former home looking for her. On 31 October, she began to receive a series of anonymous telephone calls at the new house: the telephone would ring, but when Reina Zelaya answered, the caller would immediately hang up. On one occasion, one of her daughters picked up the telephone; the caller asked to speak to her mother and again when Reina Zelaya came to the phone, the line went dead.

Also on 31 October, two men claiming to be members of the Costa Rican police (OIJ) came to the house of a friend of Reina Zelaya's, asking if she knew where she lived. When they refused to identify themselves, the woman closed the door on them.

On 4 November, Reina Zelaya went to the headquarters of the OIJ to enquire about the visit of the two men and was told that none of their members had gone to look for her. If they had, she was told, they would have left a note explaining who they were and what they wanted.

On the same day, 4 November, Reina Zelaya received three more anonymous calls; as before, the caller said nothing when she answered and, after a moment or two, hung up.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express or airmail letters in Spanish or in your own language:

- once again expressing alarm at the continued intimidation of Reina Xiomara Zelaya and expressing grave fears for her safety and that of her daughters;

- expressing dismay at the fact that those responsible, believed to be members of the Honduran security forces, have not yet been apprehended;

- asking to be informed of any progress in investigating these disturbing incidents;

- urging the Costa Rican authorities to take every necessary measure to protect the family from further harassment and possible harm.

APPEALS TO:

1) President of Costa Rica

Dr. José María Figueres Olsen

Presidente de la República de Costa Rica

Casa Presidencial

Apartado 10089

1000 San José, COSTA RICA

Telegrams: President Figueres, San José, Costa Rica

Faxes: + 506 253 9078

Salutation: Señor Presidente / Dear President

2) Interior Minister in Costa Rica

Bernardo Arce Gutiérrez

Ministro de Seguridad y Gobernación

Ministerio de Seguridad y Gobernación

Apartado 4768

1000 San José, COSTA RICA

Telegrams: Ministro Gobernación, San José, Costa Rica

Faxes: + 506 253 6243

Salutation: Señor Ministro / Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

1) Human Rights Commissioner (Honduras)

Lic. Leo Valladares Lanza

Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos

Avda. Los Próceres 3623

Tegucigalpa MDC., HONDURAS

Fax: + 504 36 7213

E-mail: conadeh1@ns.gbm.hn

2) Office for the Defence of the People (Costa Rica)

Sr. Rodrigo Alberto Carazo

Defensoría de los Habitantes de la República

Apdo Postal 1240-1007

San José, COSTA RICA

Faxes: + 506 296 2512

3) UNHCR in Costa Rica

ACNUR

Apartado Postal 12

Ferrocarril Pacífico

1009 San José, COSTA RICA

Faxes: + 506 234 0431 / 224 4891

4) Newspaper in Costa Rica

La Nación

Llorente de Tibás

Apartado 10138

San José, COSTA RICA

Faxes: + 506 240 6480

5) Newspaper in Honduras

Diario Tiempo

Altos del Centro Comercial Prisa

Colonia Miramontés

Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS

Faxes: + 504 31 0422

and to diplomatic representatives of Costa Rica accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 17 December 1996.