PUBLICAI Index: AMR 13/007/2002

5 July 2002

Further information on UA 201/02 (AMR 13/006/2002, 3 July 2002) - Fear for Safety

ARGENTINAClaudio Pandolfi (m), Lawyer and Human Rights Defender

Killed:Dario Santillan (m)

Maximiliano Costeki (Note New Spelling)

New names: Sergio Kowalewski (m), Photographer

Members of his family

Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the safety of photographer Sergio Kowalewski and his family. On 29 June three anonymous threatening phone calls were made to their home. Using abusive language the caller warned them that they were going to be killed and to take care ...(“los vamos a reventar”...”cuidense”).

The death threats are reportedly linked to photographs taken by Sergio Kowalewski which were published in the Argentine press. The photographs, were taken during disturbances in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires province on 26 June and clearly show police involvement in the events leading to the killing of Dario Santillan and Maximiliano Costeki. The photographs are also being used by Claudio Pandolfi from the non-governmental organization Coordinadora Contra la Represión Policial e Institucional (CORREPI), the Association against Police and Institutional Repression, in a case against police officers who are believed to be involved in the deaths of the two men.

Sergio Kowalewski has also given interviews to newspapers describing the events that he witnessed on 26 June. These include a description of how he saw a police officer shoot Dario Santillan “...almost at point-blank range” (“...fue casi a quemarropa”).

According to reports published in the Argentine press on 5 July, a third policeman has been suspended on suspicion of firing at and injuring protestors during the disturbances.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals in Spanish or your own language:

- expressing your concern at the threatening calls received by Sergio Kowalewski and members of his family;

- calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into these threats as well as the death threats received by CORREPI lawyer Claudio Pandolfi, 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 Sergio Kowalewski and members of his family;

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

- stating that while you recognize the duty of the Argentine authorities to maintain public order, call on them to ensure that all members of the security forces act in compliance with established international norms and uphold and respect fundamental human rights at all times.

APPEALS TO:

NB: New names for Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice and Human Rights.

Minister of the Interior

Sr. Ministro del Interior

Sr. Jorge Matzkin

Ministerio del Interior

Balcarce 24

1064 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Telegrams: Interior Minister, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fax: + 54 11 4346 1756 (If someone answers say ‘Fax, por favor’)

Salutation: Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Sr. Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto

Dr. Carlos Ruckauf

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Esmeralda 1212

1003 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Telegrams: Foreign Minister, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fax: + 54 11 4819 7619/7359

Salutation: Sr. Ministro/ Dear Minister

Minister of Justice and Human Rights

Sr. Ministro de Justicia y Derechos Humanos

Sr. Juan José Alvarez

Mnisterio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos

Sarmiento 329, 5º piso

1041 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Telegrams: Minister of Justice, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fax: + 54 11 4328 6039

Salutation: Sr. Ministro/ Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Under-Secretary for Human Rights

Sr. Subsecretario de Derechos Humanos

Dr. Oscar Fappiano

Secretaría de Derechos Humanos

Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos

Sarmiento 329

1041 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fax: + 54 11 4381 4571 (There could be some problems getting through to this number. If someone answers say ‘Fax, por favor’)

The Association against Police and Institutional Repression

Coordinadora Contra la Represión Policial e Institucional (CORREPI),

Corrientes 1785 - 2C

(1042) Buenos Aires, Argentina

Newspapers

Clarín

Tacuarí 1840

1139 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fax: + 54 11 4309 7200

Página 12

Avenida Belgrano 673

1092 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fax: + 54 11 4334 2330

and to diplomatic representatives of Argentina accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 16 August 2002.