PUBLICAI Index: AMR 37/014/2001

UA 310/01Fear for safety3 December 2001

HONDURASChristian Callejas (m), Human rights defender

Members of his family

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of Christian Callejas, who has been subjected to death threats and harassment, as a result of his work as a regional coordinator for the non-governmental organisation, Comité para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos en Honduras, (CODEH), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights

As a human rights defender, Christian Callejas has submitted various complaints to the judiciary on behalf of the victims who have suffered torture, abuse and illegal detention at the hands of the police. Until June, he worked in the CODEH regional office in San Pedro Sula. While there, he and his family were continuously harassed and on one occassion, his wife, Alejandra Patricia Borjas Bourdeth was followed by a black Toyota pickup truck with darkened windows.

Christian Callejas is now working at the CODEH office in the Atlanic Coast region. Since the beginning of October, he has either received threatening telephone calls or has had shots fired outside his home. On 8 November, both forms of intimidation were used, as when he answered his mobile telephone, a gun shot was fired outside his house. More recently on 20 November, he received a threatening phone call from an officer of the Dirección General de Investigación Criminal, (DGIC), General Directorate of Criminal Investigations who referred to himself as “una persona demasiado violenta”, a very violent person. The officer stated that he would find and shoot Christian, if he did not leave the officer’s brother alone and cease pursuing a case Christian had filed against him.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Human rights defenders have faced threats, attacks and criminal charges as a result of their work. Certain government authorities have attempted to discredit their activities by making public statements alleging that they protect criminals. Members of CODEH have in the past been victims of serious human rights violations. In 1997, Ramon Custodio Lopez and his family were put under heavy security force surveillance and were the target of intimidation (See UA 266/97, AMR 37/02/97, 12 August 1997). In 1998, Ernesto Sandoval Bustillo was shot dead by unidentified men as he walked to the CODEH offices in Santa Rosa Copan (See UA 50/98, AMR 37/02/98, 13 February 1998).

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

- expressing concern for the safety of human rights defender Christian Callejas and his family;

- asking the authorities what measures, deemed appropiate by Christian Callejas and his family, they are going to take to guarantee the safety of the family;

- calling for an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the threats against Christian Callejas and his family, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice;

- expressing support for the work of CODEH on behalf of victims of human rights violations, emphasizing the need for appropriate protection to be given to all those involved;

- reminding the authorities of the right of human rights defenders to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Institutions to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties.

APPEALS TO:

President

S.E. Carlos Roberto Flores Facussé

Presidente de la República de Honduras

Casa Presidencial

Boulevard Juan Pablo Segundo

Palacio José Cecilio del Valle

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Telegrams: Presidente, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fax: + 504 234 1484

Salutation: Sr. Presidente/Dear President

Attorney General

Dr. Roy Edmundo Medina

Fiscal General de la República

Fiscalía General, Ministerio Público

Edificio Castillo Poujol, 4a Avda,

Colonia Palmira, Boulevard Morazán

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Telegrams: Fiscal General, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fax: + 504 221 5667

Salutation: Sr. Fiscal General/Attorney General

General Directorate of Criminal Investigation

Dr. Wilfredo Alvarado

Director de la Dirección General de Investigación Criminal (DGIC)

Dirección de Investigación Criminal

5ª avenida, 11 calle

contiguo a Celocías Palermo

Comayaguala, Honduras

Telegrams: Director de Investigación Criminal, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fax: + 504 220 0554

Salutation: Sr. Director/Dear Director

President of the Supreme Court

Lic. Oscar Armando Avila Banegas

Presidente de la Corte Suprema de Justicia

Colonia Miraflores

Boulevard de las Fuerzas Armadas

Palacio de Justicia

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Telegrams: Presidente de la Corte Suprema, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fax: + 504 233 6784/7921

Salutation: Presidente de la Corte/Dear President of the Supreme Court

COPIES TO:

Human Rights Organisation

Comité para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos en Honduras (CODEH)

Apartado Postal 3189

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fax: 504 237 9238

E-mail: codeh@optinet.hn

and to diplomatic representatives of HONDURAS accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 14 January 2002.