Document - Mexico: Further information on fear for safety/threats

PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 41/039/2006

31 July 2006

Further Information on 179/04 (AMR 41/020/2004, 21 May 2004) Fear for safety/threats

MEXICO Lucía Genaro Linares (f)

Erika González Genaro (f)

Other members of their familiy

Killed: Sócrates Tolento González Genaro (m), member of the indigenous Tlapanec community

The mother and sister of Sócrates Tolento González Genaro, who died in police custody in Zapotitlan Tablas, Guerrero State in January 2004, have reportedly been intimidated by unidentified men since the arrest of two former municipal police officers on 14 July 2006 in relation to Sócrates Genaro's death. Sócrates Genaro's mother, Lucía Genaro, and her five daughters, all of them under 18-years-old, live in an isolated area two hours from the municipality of Tlapa. Amnesty International believes that the acts of intimidation may be linked to the detentions and could increase as a reprisal for any legal action taken against the police officers.

On 17 July three unidentified men reportedly visited Lucía Genaro’s house when she was not there. They reportedly left a message with some neighbours telling Lucía Genaro about the arrests and saying that she should go to a specific location in Tlapa the following day because otherwise something might happen to her.

On 19 July, two men in a van reportedly stopped near the house of Lucía Genaro’s nephew in Tlapa and asked Lucía Genaro’s nephew about a blonde girl who sometimes stays in the nephew's house. When he refused to answer, the two men reportedly told him they would abduct the girl if her mother would not collaborate with them. Lucía Genaro and her family believe that the men were looking for Lucía Genaro’s daughter, Erika González Genaro, whose appearance fits the men’s description.

On 23 July, three unidentified men reportedly went to Lucía Genaro’s house asking about her but left when she was not there.

On 11 April 2004, the Public Ministry in Tlapa issued arrest warrants against four municipal police officers following a complaint submitted by Lucía Genaro about the killing of Sócrates Tolento González Genaro. At that time, Lucía Genaro and her relatives faced several acts of intimidation by municipal authorities.

The indigenous Tlapanec community, of which Lucía Genaro is a member, is one of the most marginalised indigenous communities in the state of Guerrero. Abuses of power, arbitrary policing and judicial practices are common in these areas, leaving the most vulnerable exposed to human rights violations.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

• expressing concern for the safety of Lucía Genaro and her five daughters following several acts of intimidation against them in the wake of the detention of two former municipal police officers in relation to the killing of her son in 2004;

• calling on the authorities to guarantee their safety and to conduct an immediate, through and impartial investigation into the acts of intimidation, for the results to be made public and those responsible to be brought to justice;

• calling on the authorities to fully investigate the death of Socrates Tolentino Gonzalez, for the results to be made public and all responsible brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:

State Governor:

Lic. Zeferino Torreblanca Galindo

Gobernador del Estado de Guerrero

Boulevard Rene Juarez Cisneros No. 62, Edificio B

Ciudad de los Servicios

CP 39075, Chilpancingo

Guerrero, Mexico

Fax: +52 747 47 14788 (if someone answers, say "Tono de fax por favor")

Salutation: Dear Governor /Señor Gobernador

Attorney General of Guerrero:

Lic. Eduardo Murueta Urrutia

Procurador General de Justicia del Estado de Guerrero

Carretera Nacional México-Acapulco Km. 6+300

Tramo Chilpancingo- Petaquillos

Chilpancingo 39090

Guerrero, México

Fax: + 52 747 47 22328

Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Señor Procurado

COPIES TO:

Human Rights Organization

Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña “Tlachinollan” AC.,

Calle Mina número 77, Colonia Centro, Tlapa de Comonfort, CP. 41304, Guerrero, México

President of Guerrero Human Rights Commission

Lic. Juan Alarcón Hernandez

Presidente de la Comisión de Defensa de los Derechos Humanos del Estado de Guerrero

Avda. Juárez, Esq. Galo Soberón y Parra, Col. Centro, 39000, Chilpancingo, Guerrero 39000, Mexico

Fax : + 52 747 47 12190 ( if someone answers say :“tono de fax, por favor”)

Salutation: Dear Mr President / Señor Presidente

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 8 September 2006.