PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 13/006/2002

UA 201/02 Fear for Safety 3 July 2002

ARGENTINA Claudio Pandolfi (m), Lawyer and Human Rights Defender

Killed: Dario Santillan (m)

Maximiliano Costequi (m)

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of Claudio Pandolfi, a lawyer working for the human rights organisation Coordinadora Contra la Represión Policial e Institucional (CORREPI), the Association against Police and Institutional Repression. On the weekend of 29 and 30 June, an unidentified caller left a recorded message at his office saying Awe already know which hole you=re hiding in, you will die like a dog@ (Aya sabemos en qué cuevita te escondés, te vamos a matar como un perro@).

Claudio Pandolfi is investigating the disturbances that took place in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires province, on 26 June, following protests at the continuing economic crisis that is crippling Argentina. Two demonstrators, Dario Santillan and Maximiliano Costequi were killed. Many others were injured during clashes between police and protestors, during which police fired both plastic and live rounds of ammunition (See News Service NS 109/2002, AMR 01/006/2002, 27 June 2002).

According to press reports, although police sources initially claimed that the men were killed by >infiltrators= among the demonstrators, photos subsequently released to the media clearly demonstrated police involvement in the events leading to their deaths. Following the publication of these photos, two police officers were arrested and over 100 suspended.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

While Amnesty International recognises the duty of the Argentine authorities to maintain public order, the organisation has repeatedly expressed its concern over police killings and excessive use of force in the country. In December 2001, the organisation wrote to the Argentine authorities following the death of some twenty protestors and injuries to hundreds more during disturbances across the country.

CORREPI lawyers and members have been the targets of death threats and intimidation in the past (see UA 304/99, AMR 13/06/99, 24 November 1999; UA 55/97, AMR 13/03/97, 20 February 1997 and UA/HRD AMR 13/12/98).

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

- expressing your concern at the death threats received by CORREPI human rights lawyer Claudio Pandolfi;

- calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into these death threats, for the results to be made public and those responsible brought to justice;

- asking for assurances that the Argentine authorities take all necessary steps to protect Claudio Pandolfi;

- calling for prompt and impartial investigations into the events of 26 June 2002 in Avellaneda and the deaths of Dario Santillan and Maximiliano Costequi, that the results be made public and those responsible brought to justice;