Document - GUATÉMALA. CRAINTES POUR LA SÉCURITÉ / MENACES DE MORT.

PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 34/003/2004

UA 89/04 Fear for Safety/ Death Threats 01 March 2004

GUATEMALA Eloída Mejía Samayoa (f)

Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Eloída Mejía Samayoa, President and Legal Representative of Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of Izabal’s Lake Association, following recent death threats against her.

Eloída Mejía Samayoa is head of an environmental organization which is opposed to the reactivation of mining activities in Izabal Department. On 18 February, she was reportedly warned to stop opposing mining activities or risk being killed. Her landlord was also allegedly told that her house would be burnt down if she continued her activities. Three days later, a meeting in the city of Puerto Barrios which was convened by Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of Izabal’s Lake Association to inform locals about the ecological impact of mining activities there was interrupted by unknown individuals. They threatened Eloída Mejía Samayoa by saying, “que cayera su cabeza”, “her head will fall”.

The threats against Eloída Mejía Samayoa follow the killing of environmental activist Enrique Alcántara on 10 February in Puerto Barrios. It is not known who killed him, but those who carry out illegal logging and animal-trafficking are among the suspects.

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

-expressing concern for the safety of Eloída Mejía Samayoa;

-calling for a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the death threats against Eloída Mejía Samayoa, for the results to be made public and those found responsible to be brought to justice;

- urging that immediate measures are taken to ensure the safety of Eloída Mejía Samayoa

and all the other members of Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of the Izabal’s Lake Association

APPEALS TO:

Attorney General

Sr. Juan Luís Florido

Fiscalía General del Ministerio Público

8a. Avenida 10-67, Zona 1,

Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Telegrams: Juan Luís Florido, Fiscal General de la República, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala

Fax: + 502 221 2718

Salutation: Estimado Fiscal General/Dear Attorney General

Human Rights Procurator

Dr. Sergio Fernando Morales Alvarado

Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos (PDH)

12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1,

Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Telegrams: Sergio Fernando Morales Alvarado, Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala

Fax: +502 238 1734

Email: despacho.pdhg@correooficial.com OR opdhg@intelnet.net.gt

Salutation: Señor Procurador/ Dear Sir

COPIES TO:

National Council for Protected Areas

Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (CONAP)

5a Avenida 6-06, Zona 1

Edificio IPM, 7º Nivel

Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Fax: +502 238 3118

E-mail:

and to diplomatic representatives of Guatemala accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 April 2004.