URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA

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For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa33608.pdf


10 December 2008

UA 336/08 - Possible enforced disappearance/Fear for safety

MEXICO Javier Torres Cruz (m), aged 28

Peasant farmer Javier Torres Cruz may have been subjected to enforced disappearance on 3 December. The authorities have denied knowledge of his whereabouts and there are concerns for his safety following earlier attempts to detain him which may be connected to his role as a witness in a high profile murder case.

According to an unconfirmed witness report, Javier Torres was detained after being stopped at military roadblock. His sister last heard from him when he telephoned her to enquire about his children on 3 December. The conversation however ended when the phone was cut off abruptly.

Javier Torres Cruz is from the tiny community of La Morena, Petatlan municipality, Guerrero state, and a member of a grassroots organization, Organizacion Ecologista de la Sierra de Coyuca y Petatlan (Environmental Organization of the Coyuca and Petatlan Mountains). At 5 am on 13 November, a group of about 100 soldiers went to La Morena in order to find Javier Torres and two of his brothers. The three brothers were not there at the time, but according to relatives, soldiers searched four houses. They also threatened, slapped and pointed their guns at women and children. That same evening, a group of about 30 armed men in plain clothes also came to the community in order to find Javier Torres and his brothers. They too, could not locate them.

In September 2007, Javier Torres and his uncle had testified against a local political boss (cacique) following his alleged involvement in the killing of human rights defender, Digna Ochoa y Placido, in Mexico City in 2001. A local human rights organization believes that Javier Torres’ possible disappearance may be connected to his role as a witness in this case.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of Javier Torres Cruz, who may have been detained by members of the military on 3 December 2008 near La Morena community, Petatlan municipality, Guerrero state;
- urging the authorities to make every effort to locate Javier Torres Cruz and to promptly establish his fate and whereabouts;
- calling on the authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the disappearance of Javier Torres Cruz and bring those responsible to justice;
- calling for a full enquiry into reports that he was detained by members of the military at a road block;
- if Javier Torres Cruz is in custody, call on the authorities immediately acknowledge his detention, ensure that he is given access to his family, medical assistance and legal advice, and is charged with a recognizable criminal offense or released.


APPEALS TO:

Minister of National Defense
Gral. Guillermo Galvan Galvan
Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional
Blvd. Manuel Avila Camacho s/n, esq. Av. Industria Militar
Col. Lomas de Sotelo, Del. Miguel Hidalgo
Mexico D.F., C.P. 11640
MEXICO
Fax: 011 52 55 55575571
Email: dn_sdn@mailsedena.gob.mx
Salutation: Senor Secretario / Dear Minister

Attorney General of the Republic
Lic. Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza
Procurador General de la Republica
Procuraduria General de la Republica
Av. Paseo de la Reforma no 211-213, Piso 16
Col. Cuauhtemoc, Del. Cuauhtemoc
Mexico D.F., C.P. 06500
MEXICO
Fax: 011 52 55 5346 0908
Salutation: Senor Procurador General/Dear Attorney General

Governor of Guerrero
Lic. Zeferino Torreblanca Galindo
Gobernador del Estado de Guerrero
Palacio de Gobierno
Edificio Centro, piso 2, Ciudad de los Servicios
CP 39075, Chilpancingo, Guerrero
MEXICO
Fax: 011 52 747 471 9956
Email: gobernador@guerrero.gob.mx
Salutation: Senor Gobernador/Dear Governor

Attorney General of Guerrero
Lic. Eduardo Murueta Urrutia
Procurador del Estado de Guerrero
Carretera Nacional Mexico-Acapulco Km. 6+300
Tramo Chilpancingo-Petaquillos
Chilpancingo 39090, Guerrero
MEXICO
Fax: 011 52 747 472 2328
Email: cprocurador@pgjgro.gob.mx
Salutation: Senor Procurador / Dear Attorney

COPIES TO:

Human rights organization
Colectivo Contra la Tortura y la Impunidad
Calle Pitagoras 1210-16
Col. Del Valle 03100
Mexico DF
MEXICO
Email: Colectivo@contralatortura.org

Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana
Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20006
Fax: 1 202 728 1698
Email: mexembusa@sre.gob.mx


PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 21 January 2009.

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This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.

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http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
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