EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AMR 37/09/90

Distr: UA/SC

UA 517 /90 Fear of "Disappearance"21 December 1990

HONDURAS Santiago SERRANO MENJIVAR

Santos CRESPIN ORELLANA

Alberto CRESPIN ORELLANA

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of three Salvadorians reportedly arrested in Honduras in November.

Santiago Serrano Menjívar, Santos Crespín Orellana and Alberto Crespín Orellana, tradesmen (comerciantes) from Chaltenango, El Salvador, were reportedly detained without a judicial arrest warrant (sin orden judicial) on 12 November 1990 in Valladolid, department of Lempira by soldiers of the Honduran army. According to neighbours and relatives in El Salvador, the three men had crossed the border into Honduras to buy clothes and food for their community.

Witnesses stated that the men were taken the next day to the barracks of the 7th Military Battalion (7o Batallón de Infantería) in Cucuyagua, department of Copán. The 7th Battalion has denied holding them. Three habeas corpus writs were presented on their behalf on 10, 13 and 17 December, with no result to date. The whereabouts of the three men are currently unknown, leading to fears that they may be killed or "disappeared".

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Salvadorians travelling in Honduras or living there as refugees have for years been targets of arrest, ill-treament and other human rights violations by the Honduran military and security forces, who suspect them of activities in support of armed opposition groups in El Salvador and Honduras.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/airmail letters:

- asking that the whereabouts of Santiago Serrano Menjívar, Santos Crespín Orellana and Alberto Crespín Orellana be immediately clarified and that they be given immediate access to relatives and lawyers.

APPEALS TO:

S.E. Rafael Leonardo Callejas

Presidente de la República de Honduras

Casa Presidencial

6a Avenida, 1a calle

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Telexes: 1129 MMRR

Fax: (504) 220802

Telegrams: Presidente Callejas

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Sr. Francisco Cardona

Ministro de Gobernación y Justicia

Ministerio de Gobernación y Justicia

Palacio de los Ministerios, 2o Piso

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Telegrams: Ministro Gobernación y Justicia

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

COPIES TO:

COFADEH

Apartado Postal 1243

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

CODEH

Apartado Postal 1256

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

and to diplomatic representatives of Honduras in your country.

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

31 January 1991.