Document - Mexico: Further information on possible disappearance/fear for safety: Javier Torres Cruz (m)

PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 41/067/2008

18 December 2008

Further Information on UA 336/08 (AMR 41/065/2008, 10 December 2008) Possible disappearance/Fear for safety

MEXICO Javier Torres Cruz (m), aged 28

Javier Torres Cruz was released on 13 December, after being abducted on 3 December. On his return, he had a number of bruises, particularly on his hands, and complained of strong abdominal pains. His family stated that he was blindfolded and did not know where he had been held, and they believed that those who detained him were soldiers. Amnesty International believes that Javier Torres Cruz and his relatives are still in danger.

Javier Torres Cruz is from the tiny community of La Morena, Petatlán municipality, Guerrero state, and a member of a grassroots organization, Organización Ecologista de la Sierra de Coyuca y Petatlán(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 Cruz 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 Cruz and his brothers. They too, could not locate them.

In September 2007, Javier Torres Cruz and his uncle had testified against a local political boss (cacique) following his alleged involvement in the death of human rights defender, Digna Ochoa y Plácido, in Mexico City in 2001.

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

- calling on the authorities to provide Javier Torres Cruz and members of his family with adequate protection, in accordance with their wishes;

- expressing concern at the abduction and torture of Javier Torres Cruz, who may have been detained by soldiers on 3 December;

- calling on the authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the abduction and torture of Javier Torres Cruz, and bring those responsible to justice.

APPEALS TO:

Attorney General of the Republic

Lic. Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza

Procurador General de la República

Procuraduría General de la República, Av. Paseo de la Reforma nº 211-213, Piso 16

Col. Cuauhtémoc, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., C.P. 06500, MEXICO

Fax: +52 55 5346 0908

Salutation: Señor 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, MÉXICO

Email: gobernador@guerrero.gob.mx

Fax: +52 747 471 9956

Salutation: Señor Gobernador / Dear Governor

Attorney General of Guerrero

Lic. Eduardo Murueta Urrutia

Procurador del Estado de Guerrero

Carretera Nacional México-Acapulco Km. 6+300

Tramo Chilpancingo-Petaquillos

Chilpancingo 39090, Guerrero, MÉXICO

Fax: +52 747 472 2328

Salutation: Dear Attorney / Señor Procurador

COPIES TO:

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

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 29 January 2009.