PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 41/012/2008

23 April 2008

Further Information on UA 92/07 (AMR 41/017/2007, 19 April 2007) Fear for safety/Death threats/Legal concern

MEXICO David Venegas (m), aged 25

Isaac Torres Carmona (m), human rights lawyer

Other political activists and human rights lawyers in Oaxaca state

Oaxacan political activist David Venegas was freed on 5 March, after 11 months in prison. He had won several federal injunctions against his detention, but the authorities had delayed his release. He was released on bail but is still facing charges of "possession of narcotics" (posesión de estupefacientes) and "serious assault and resisting arrest" (ataques peligrosos y resistencia de particulares).

David Venegas is an activist with the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO), which has led protests calling for the resignation of the state governor. He was

detained by state police in Oaxaca City on 13 April 2007, with no arrest warrant. At the time of arrest, he was reportedly kept incommunicado and tortured, and the evidence for his arrest appears to have been fabricated. Amnesty International is not aware of any investigations into the reported torture of David Venegas.

There have been no further reports of threats to human rights lawyer Isaac Torres Carmona.

Many thanks to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network at present. Amnesty International will take further action on this case as necessary.