URGENT ACTION

salvadoran priest’s life at risk

Father Antonio Rodríguez López, a priest working on rehabilitation projects with former gang members in El Salvador, was told on 5 September that there is a plot to kill him. His life is in danger.

On 5 September in San Salvador, El Salvador, Father Antonio Rodríguez López learned from a reliable source that he was at risk of being killed. The following day, another source confirmed the information about the murder plot. The next day, at 11.45am, Father Antonio Rodríguez López was threatened. As he walked towards his office he noticed a grey car with tinted windows parked on the side of the street. The driver wound down his window and said “They’re going to kill you” (“Te van a matar”) and then drove off.

Father Antonio Rodríguez López has reported the incident to the police.

Father Antonio Rodríguez López works on projects focused on the rehabilitation of former offenders, and also runs prevention projects with young people at risk of joining gangs. A week before the threats, he had publicly criticised a current truce between two gangs and government authorities, because he feels that the truce does not deal with the issue of gang members’ rehabilitation.

Please write immediately in Spanish or your own language:

Calling on the authorities to order an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the threats against Father Antonio Rodríguez López, publish the results, and bring those responsible to justice;

Urging authorities to take immediate steps to provide appropriate protection to Father Antonio Rodríguez López, in accordance with his wishes.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 26 OCTOBER 2012 TO:

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Minister of Justice and Public Security

Gen. David Munguía Payés

Ministerio de Justicia y Seguridad Pública, Alameda Juan Pablo II y 17 Av. Norte

San Salvador, El Salvador

Fax: +503 2281 5959

Salutation: Dear Minister / Sr Ministro

Chief of Police

Sr. Francisco Salinas Rivera

Policia Nacional Civil

6a Calle Oriente #42, entre 8a y 10a Ave. Sur Barrio La Vega

San Salvador, El Salvador

Fax: +503 2527 1145

Twitter: @ComunicacionPNC

Salutation: Dear Mr / Estimado Sr

And copies to:

FESPAD

25 Calle Poniente no.1332

Colonia Layco

San Salvador, El Salvador

Email:fespadinfo@fespad.org.sv

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Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

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URGENT ACTION

salvadoran priest’s life at risk

ADditional Information

Gang violence is a serious problem in El Salvador. In 2011 membership of a gang was made a criminal offence.

In March 2012, a truce was brokered between two of the country’s biggest gangs and government authorities. The truce has allegedly contributed to a decrease in the numbers of unlawful killings. Several human rights groups observed that before the truce the government did not consult with those who work on rehabilitation and prevention programmes for gang members, and that the process was not transparent.

Name: Father Antonio Rodríguez López

Gender m/f: m

UA: 267/12 Index: AMR 29/006/2012 Issue Date: 14 September 2012