The Human Rights Actions Network
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ACTION REQUEST
Case VEN 050299.1
FOLLOW-UP Case VEN 050299
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention regarding the following situation in Venezuela.
Brief reminder of the situation
The International Secretariat was informed by the Red de Apoyo
por la Justicia y la Paz, member of the OMCT network, of the
grave concern for six persons , arrested between the 27 and the 29
of January 1999 and held in detention in Battlefield number 1
(Teatro de operaciones número 1) in the Apure State. It was feared
that they might be victims of ill-treatment.
Mr. Juan Bautista Moreno, Mr. Edgar Carvajal, Mr. Oscar Caceres, Mr.
Wilfredo Bracho and Mr. Asdrubal Lozada were arrested by members of the
Technical Judicial Police (Policía Tecnica Judicial - PTJ) and of the
Direction of Intelligence and Prevention Services (Dirección de Servicios
de Inteligencia y Prevención -DISIP) as well as of the Army and taken to
the Battlefield number 1 headquarters, in Guasdualito. It seemed their
detention was related to the inquiries of a kidnapping, which occurred in
December 1998.
The International Secretariat feared for the physical and psychological
integrity of the persons currently detained.
New Information
The International Secretariat has just been informed by the Red de Apoyo
por la Justicia y la Paz, member of the OMCT network, that on 5 February
1999, Mr. Asdrubal Lozada and Mr. Wilfredo Bracho were released.
However, while in detention, they were subjected to ill- treatment by
state agents (from the Police or the Army) in Battlefield number 1 (Teatro
de operaciones número 1). According to their statements, the attorney of
the Office of the Public Prosecutor (Fiscal del Ministerio Público) was
aware of the ill treatment.
Mr. Juan Bautista Moreno, Mr. Edgar Carvajal and Mr. Oscar Caceres
are still being held in detention in the "Battlefield number 1" (Teatro de
operaciones número 1). The International Secretariat is gravely
concerned for their physical and psychological integrity.
Case VEN 050299.1 CC
FOLLOW-UP Case VEN 050299.CC
CHILD CONCERN
Brief reminder of the situation
The minor Claudio Rivas Espinosa, aged 16, farmer, resident of Guafitas,
Caño Fístola, El Amparo Parish, was arrested in connection with the
same offense, on the 29th of January 1999 and was also being held in
detention at the frontier in "Battlefield number 1".
The International Secretariat feared for the physical and psychological
integrity of the minor.
New Information
The International Secretariat has just been informed by the Red de Apoyo
por la Justicia y la Paz, member of the OMCT network, that on 5 February
1999, the minor Claudio Rivas Espinosa was released. However, while in
detention, he was subjected to ill-treatment by state agents (from the
Police or the Army) in Battlefield number 1 (Teatro de operaciones número
1). According to his statement, the attorney of the Office of the Public
Prosecutor (Fiscal del Ministerio Público) was aware of the ill treatment.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities of Venezuela urging them to
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and
psychological integrity of Mr. Juan Bautista Moreno, Mr.
Edgar Carvajal and Mr. Oscar Caceres still held in detention,
and order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal
charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial
and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights in
all times;
ii. carry out a full and impartial investigation into the alleged ill-
treatment of Mr. Asdrubal Lozada, Mr. Wilfredo Bracho, the
minor Claudio Rivas Espinosa, as well as of Mr. Guismoldo
Eregua, Mr. Santiago Diaz and Mr. Morli Ratia, and any ill-
treatment of the other detained persons, in order to identify
those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil
and/or administrative sanctions provided by law, and ensure
adequate compensation and reparation;
iii.guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental
freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national
laws and international human rights standards, in particular
those established in the Conventions against Torture and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Venezuela.
Addresses
Dr. Ivan Darío Badell González, Fiscal General de la Republica, Manduca
a Ferrenquin
La Candelaria, Caracas, Venezuela
TelegramasFiscal General, Caracas, Venezuela
Fax+58 2 577 2144
General de División, Raul Salazar, Ministro de la Defensa, Fuerte Tiuna,
Conejo Blanco
El Valle, Caracas, Fax+58 2 662 4078
Dr. Carlos Ponce, Presidente de la Comisión Nacional de Derechos
Humanos, Palacio de Miraflores, Edificio Bicentenario, Nivel Plaza, of
206 Fax +582 801 39 42
Congreso de la República de Venezuela, Sr. Presidente de la Comisión de
Política Interior
SubComisión de Derechos Humanos, Cámara de Diputados, Fax +58 2
5648250 / 5645157 / 5637273
Geneva, 10 February 1999
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