EXTERNALAI Index: AMR 29/10/97

UA 352/97 Death threats / Fear for safety7 November 1997

EL SALVADORVictoria Marina Velásquez de Avilés (f), National Human Rights Procurator

Since last week, Dra Victoria Marina Velásquez de Avilés, Procuradora para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos de El Salvador, National Human Rights Procurator, has been receiving anonymous death threats.

The threats have been made by phone calls to various departments of the Procuraduría and her own personal phone; in one of them the caller warned that next year the “first victims will start falling and she would be the first one”.

Since taking up her post in 1995, Dra Velásquez de Avilés has been widely praised for the conscientious and brave way in which she has performed her duties. She has denounced the existence of clandestine groups within the security forces and the involvement of members of the National Civil Police in human rights violations. In a recent poll she and the institution she heads were considered the most trusted public figure and organization by the population at large.

Dra Velásquez de Avilés has received death threats previously, including threats against her daughters (see UA 273/96, AMR 29/14/96, 21 November 1996).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

El Salvador is emerging from an armed conflict during which the activities of "death squads" were of great concern to Amnesty International, as they were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people (see Peace without justice, AMR 29/12/93, 1993). Although there have been important improvements since the end of the war, the continued existence of these clandestine armed groups is still of concern. Throughout 1995 and 1996, Amnesty International received further reports of harassment and threats against members of non-governmental human rights and civil organizations by such groups (see UA 241/96, AMR 29/12/96, 21 October 1996).

During 1997 there have been allegations from various groups in El Salvador, including the church, that such clandestine armed groups - or similar ones - operating from within the police force, are working in “social cleansing” squads where members of juvenile gangs and common criminals are the targets.

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

- expressing serious concern about reports of continuing death threats against Victoria Marina Velásquez de Avilés, National Human Rights Procurator;

- calling for an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into these threats and for those responsible to be brought to justice;

- calling for immediate and effective measures to ensure her protection in order to enable her to carry out her activities without fearing for her safety.

APPEALS TO:

President of El Salvador

Dr. Armando Calderón Sol

Presidente de la República de El Salvador

Casa Presidencial

San Salvador, El Salvador

Telegrams:Presidente Calderón, San Salvador, El Salvador

Telexes:20245 RS SAL; 20522 PRESS SAL

Faxes:+503 271 0950

Salutation:Sr. Presidente / Dear President

Minister of the Interior

Lic. Mario Acosta Oertel

Ministro del Interior

Ministerio del Interior

Centro de Gobierno

San Salvador, El Salvador

Telegrams:Ministro Interior, San Salvador, El Salvador

Faxes: +503 271 2484

Salutation:Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Dra Victoria Marina Velásquez de Avilés

Procuradora para la defensa de los derechos humanos de El Salvador

9a. Avenida Nte. y Calle Poniente

Edificio Amsa No. 535, San Salvador

El Salvador

Newspaper

Sr. Jefe de Redacción

Diario Latino

23 Av. Sur No. 225

Apartado Postal 96,

San Salvador, El Salvador

Faxes: 503 271 0971 (if voice ask, "me puede dar tono de fax, por favor")

If possible, send copies to:

TV Channels

Canal 12 de TV

Faxes: +503 278 5046

Canal 4 de TV

Faxes: +503 224 5708

Radio station

Radio YSUCA

Faxes: +503 243 1302 (if voice ask, "me puede dar tono de fax, por favor")

and to diplomatic representatives of EL SALVADOR accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 December 1997.