EXTERNALAI Index: AMR 18/11/97

12 September 1997

Further information on UA 27/97 (AMR 18/02/97, 28 January 1997) and follow-

ups (AMR 18/04/97, 21 February, AMR 18/06/97, 19 March; AMR 18/07/97, 14 April) - Fear for safety

BOLIVIADr Waldo ALBARRACÍN, human rights defender and his family

Concern for the safety of Dr Waldo Albarracín and his family has been renewed following a recent disturbing incident.

On 1 September 1997 an anonymous telephone caller left a message at the Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos de Bolivia, Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, in La Paz, of which Waldo Albarracín is President, indicating that the latter’s 13 year-old son had been a victim of a traffic accident and had been transferred to a medical centre. As his son was not at home, the family started to search for him visiting the local hospitals in La Paz. He was finally located unharmed.

Dr Albarracín has presented a written complaint to the Ministry of Government, and Amnesty International understands that he has received assurances from the authorities regarding the safety of his family. However, the organization is not aware that any investigation has been opened into this recent incident.

Amnesty International is appalled at the lack of action by the Bolivian authorities to thoroughly investigate previous threats against Dr Albarracín and his family, including anonymous telephone threats against his children. The organization believes that the continuing campaign of threats and harassment against Waldo Albarracín and his family is related to his public and peaceful work on behalf of human rights in Bolivia.

FURTHER BACKGROUND

A new government lead by President General Hugo Banzer took office on 6 August 1997. While an investigation into the attack against Waldo Albarracín in January 1997 (see original UA) was undertaken by the Commission of Constitution, Justice and Judicial Police of the Chamber of Deputies (Comision de Constitucion, Justicia y Policia Judicial de la Honorable Camara de Diputados), under the previous government, Amnesty International is concerned that the findings of the Commission were not considered by the Chamber of Deputies before the Parliamentary recess. Amnesty International is also concerned that reports of further death threats against Waldo Albarracín and his family have not been investigated. (See also Bolivia: Undermining human rights work, AMR 18/10/97, May 1997).

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

- expressing concern at this new harassment against the Albarracín family;

- asking the new government to thoroughly investigate this and previous incidents and to make public the method and outcome of the investigation and urging that those found responsible be brought to justice;

- stressing the importance of the consideration by the Chamber of Deputies of the outcome of the investigation carried out by the Commission on the attack against Waldo Albarracín in January 1997.

APPEALS TO:

President

Excmo Sr. Presidente

Gral. Hugo Banzer

Palacio de Gobierno

La Paz, Bolivia

Telegrams: Presidente, La Paz, Bolivia

Faxes: + 5912 391216 (if voice, ask “me puede dar tono de fax por favor”)

Salutation: Sr. Presidente / Dear President

Minister of Government

Sr. Ministro de Gobierno

Sr. Guido Nayar

Ministerio de Gobierno

Av. Arce esq. Belisario Salinas

La Paz, Bolivia

Telegrams: Ministro Gobierno, La Paz, Bolivia

Faxes: +5912 371334

Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister

President Lower House

Sr. Presidente de la Camara de Diputados

Dr. Hormando Vaca Diez

Palacio Legislativo, Plaza Murillo,

La Paz, Bolivia

Telegrams: Presidente, Camara Diputados, La Paz, Bolivia

Faxes: +5912 392178 (if voice, ask “me puede dar tono de fax, por favor”)

Salution: Honorable Presidente / Dear President

COPIES TO:

Human Rights Organization

Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos

Cajon Postal 9282

La Paz, Bolivia

Faxes: +5912 327761

Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies

Presidente

Ing. Roberto Moscoso

Palacio Legislativo (edf. anexo)

La Paz, Bolivia

Faxes: + 5912 377590

and to diplomatic representatives of Bolivia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 28 October 1997.