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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

NEWS SERVICE 17/95

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TO: PRESS OFFICERS AI INDEX: NWS 11/17/95

FROM: IS PRESS OFFICEDISTR: SC/PO

DATE: 24 JANUARY 1995 NO OF WORDS: 271

NEWS SERVICE ITEMS: EXTERNAL - SPAIN: for response only (this item is of particular interest to the Spanish Section)

Please Note: Sudan Update for your media work

Following a meeting with AI UN Geneva Office, the Sudanese authorities have invited AI to visit Sudan by the end of March. AI welcomes this invitation and looks forward to discussing further AI's concerns in Sudan and the deployment of civilian monitors there.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELEASES

Sudan - 25 January - SEE NEWS SERVICES 275 AND 261

UN Commission on Human Rights - 31 January - SEE NEWS SERVICE 06/95

Turkey - 8 February - SEE NEWS SERVICE 261

Northern Iraq - 28 February - SEE NEWS SERVICE 266

Women's Campaign - 8 March

TARGETED AND LIMITED NEWS RELEASES

News Service 17/95

AI INDEX EUR 41/WU 01/95

24 JANUARY 1995

SPAIN: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS CONCERNED ABOUT MURDER OF BASQUE POLITICIAN

Amnesty International is concerned about yesterday's murder of the spokesperson for the Popular Party in the Basque country.

Press reports have stated that Gregorio Ordóñez was shot at point-blank range in the back of the neck by a hooded gunman while he was lunching with colleagues in a San Sebastian restaurant. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

"We unreservedly condemn abuses by armed political groups such as deliberate and arbitrary killings and hostage-taking, which contravene international humanitarian standards," Amnesty International said.

Gregorio Ordóñez was well known to Amnesty International because of his invaluable work in recent months to secure the abolition of the death penalty under the Spanish Military Penal Code. Amnesty International extends its fullest sympathy to his family.

ENDS\