UA 279/93 - Argentina: death threats: Hebe de Bonafini (includes correction)
Hebe de Bonafini, President of the human rights organization Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, has reportedly been subjected to death threats at her home on 5 August 1993 in the city of La Plata. The threats followed her denunciation the previous night, during a broadcast on La Plata FM Radio Futura Station, of the killing of five adolescents in Buenos Aires Province, allegedly by members of police. Although there is no direct evidence of the involvement of the security forces in the incident at her home, there is concern for her safety.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AMR 13/01/93
Distr: UA/SC
UA 279/93 Death Threats 19 August 1993
ARGENTINA: Hebe DE BONAFINI (female), President of the Mothers of Plaza de
Mayo Organization
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Hebe de Bonafini President
of the human rights organization Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Mothers of Plaza
de Mayo, having just received reports that she has been subjected to death
threats at her home in the city of La Plata.
According to information received by Amnesty International, an unknown number
of unidentified individuals rang the bell of Hebe Bonafini's home at la Plata
at 3am on 5 August 1993. Without opening the door she requested information
on who was calling and a male voice shouted "If you do not shut your mouth
we will shut it with bullets" (Si no cierra la boca se la vamos a cerrar a
balazos). The threat followed Hebe Bonafini's denunciation the previous night,
during a broadcast on La Plata FM Radio Futura Station, of the killing of five
adolescents a few days before in Buenos Aires Province, allegedly by members
of the police.
This is not the first time that Hebe Bonafini has received anonymous death
threats for her outspoken condemnation of the human rights questions in
Argentina. During 1991 Hebe Bonafini received a number of telephone death
threats and the headquarters of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires
was broken into four times by unknown persons. Confidential material and
computer files were among the items reportedly stolen by the assailants (see
UA 194/91, AMR 13/04/91, 10 June 1991).
Although there is no direct evidence of the involvement of the security forces
in the incident on 5 August 1993, Amnesty International is concerned for the
safety of Hebe Bonafini and is calling on the authorities to investigate the
nature of the threats and to take measures to ensure her safety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo is a women's human rights organization set up
to campaign on behalf of their imprisoned or "disappeared" children and
relatives during the years of military government (1976-1983). With Argentina's
return to democracy they have continued their campaign for the investigation
of past human rights violations and denunciations of
human rights abuses in recent years.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters either in Spanish, English or in your own language:
- expressing concern at the threats on the life of Hebe de Bonafini;
- urging that there be an immediate investigation into these threats with a
view to bringing those responsible to justice;
- urging that steps be taken to ensure her safety.
Page 2 of UA 279/93
APPEALS TO
1) Ministry of Interior:
Sr. Ministro del Interior
Dr. Gustavo Beliz
Ministerio del Interior
Casa de Gobierno
Balcarce 24
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Telegrams: Ministro Interior, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telexes: 21194 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Faxes: + 54 1311 1239 (Via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Señor Ministro / Dear Minister
2) Governor of Buenos Aires Province:
Sr. Governador de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
Sr. Eduardo Duhalde
Casa de Gobierno
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Telegrams: Governador Provincia Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Salutation: Señor Governador / Dear Governor
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Madres de Plaza de Mayo
Hipólito Yrigoyen 1442
1089 Buenos Aires, Argentina
and to diplomatic representatives of Brazil accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 September 1993.