PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 41/013/2007

19 March 2007

UA 70/07 Fear for safety/ Death threats

MEXICO Elena López Hernández (f), human rights defender

Other members of Red Solidaria Década Contra la Impunidad,

"Decade Against Impunity" Solidarity Network

Elena López Hernández, a member of Mexico City human rights organizationRed Solidaria "Década Contra la Impunidad"("Decade Against Impunity" Solidarity Network), has reportedly received death threats as a result of her human rights work.Amnesty International fears for her safety and that of others working for the same organization.

Late on 12 January, Elena López Hernández received an anonymous telephone call. The caller's message: "Escucha perra lo que les pasa a los que defienden guerrilleros" ("Listen to what happens to those who defend guerrillas, bitch") was followed by what sounded like two small explosions. A few minutes later, Elena received exactly the same message again. Three days earlier, as part of her work with Red Solidaria "Década Contra la Impunidad",Elena López Hernández had participated in a press conference coordinated by the organization, denouncing alleged human rights violations against three indigenous men detained in January 2006 and accused of belonging to an armed opposition group.

Shortly after she received these threats, Elena López Hernández decided to move out of her home in Mexico City temporarily and to stop working on the case of the three indigenous men. However, on 7 March, shortly after arriving at her new home, she received another anonymous telephone call saying "ya se donde vives" ("I know where you live").

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Members of Red Solidaria "Década Contra la Impunidad"have been working on the cases of Gerardo Tzompaxtle Tecpile, Jorge Marcial Tzompaxtle Tecpile and Gustavo Robles, three indigenous menwho were arrested in 12 January 2006 and charged with "terrorism" and "belonging to a criminal organization". Members of Red Solidaria "Década Contra la Impunidad" have been documenting alleged human rights violations committed against these three men and are campaigning for their release.

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 and others working with the Red Solidaria "Década Contra la Impunidad":

- urging the authorities to implement measures agreed with those at risk in order to guarantee the safety of Elena López Hernández and other members ofRed Solidaria "Década Contra la Impunidad";

- calling for an immediate investigation into the anonymous telephone threats received by Elena López Hernández on 12 January and 7 March;

- reminding the authorities that human rights defenders have a right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

APPEALS TO:

Federal Attorney General of the Republic

Lic. Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza

Procurador General de la Republica, Procuraduría General de la República

Paseo de la Reforma nº 211-213, Piso 16

Col. Cuauhtémoc, Delegación Cuauhtémoc

México D.F., C.P. 06500, MEXICO

Fax: + 52 55 5346 0908 (if someone answers, say "me da tono de fax, por favor’)

E-mail: ofproc@pgr.gob.mx

Salutation: Señor Procurador General / Dear Attorney General

Minister of the Interior

Lic. Francisco Javier Ramírez Acuña

Secretario de Gobernación, Secretaría de Gobernación

Bucareli 99, 1er. piso, Col. Juárez, Del. Cuauhtémoc

México D.F., C.P. 06600, MEXICO

Fax: + 52 55 5093 3414

E-mail: frjramirez@segob.gob.mx

Salutation: Señor Secretario / Dear Minister

Attorney General of the Federal District

Mtro. Rodolfo Félix Cárdenas

Procurador General del Distrito Federal

Gabriel Hernández 56, 5 piso

Col. Doctores, México D.F., C.P. 06720, MÉXICO

Fax: + 52 55 5345 5529

Salutation: Dear Attorney/ Señor Procurador

Minister of Interior of the Federal District

Lic. José Ángel Ávila Pérez

Plaza de la Constitución y Pino Suárez, 1er. Piso

Col. Centro,Del. Cuauhtémoc,

Mexico D.F., C.P. 06068, MEXICO

Fax: + 52 55 5345 8124

E-mail: joseaap@sg.df.gob.mx

Salutation: Dear Minister / Señor Secretario

President of the National Commission of Human Rights

Dr. José Luis Soberanes Fernández

Presidente de la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDH)

Periférico Sur 3469, 5º piso

Col. San Jerónimo Lídice

México D.F., C.P. 10200, MÉXICO

Fax: + 52 55 56 81 8125, then dial 9

E-mail: correo@cndh.org.mx

Salutation: Dear President / Señor Presidente

COPIES TO:

Red Solidaria Década Contra la Impunidad

Segunda Cerrada de Ojo de Agua, no. 8

Col. Lomas de San Bernabé, Del. Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10350

México D.F., MEXICO

and to diplomatic representatives of Mexico accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 April 2007.

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