Colombia: "disappearance" / fear for safety: John Ricardo Ubate Monroy, Gloria Bogota (f)
There is serious concern for the safety of John Ricardo Ubate Monroy and Gloria Bogota, whose whereabouts have been unknown since they were abducted on 19 May 1995 in Cali, Valle department. A number of people witnessed the abduction and one woman called the police, who pursued the abductor's car. However, when the police had almost caught up the the car they reportedly received an order from a high-ranking police official to halt the pursuit. Relatives of the victims reportedly believe that the judicial and administrative authorities of Cali are reluctant to investigate the case, giving the impression that they do not want to confront the official who gave the order to halt pursuit, therby protecting those responsible for these "disappearances".
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AMR 23/43/95
Distr: UA/SC
UA 186/95 "Disappearance"/Fear for Safety 28 July 1995
COLOMBIA John Ricardo Ubate Monroy
Gloria Bogotá (f)
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of John Ricardo Ubate Monroy
and Gloria Bogotá, whose whereabouts have been unknown since they were abducted
on 19 May 1995 in Cali, Valle department.
According to reports a number of passers-by witnessed John Ricardo Ubate and
Gloria Bogotá being forced into a car by six heavily armed men. Both young
people struggled with the armed men for 10 minutes and shouted out to witnesses
to call the police. A woman called the Cali Metropolitan Police and informed
them of the situation.
According to police information, between 20 and 25 members of the Cali
Metropolitan Police force pursued the abductor's car until it was located.
When the police had almost caught up with the gunmen, they received from a
Metropolitan Police official of high rank a radio order to halt their pursuit.
According to information received by relatives of the victims, the judicial
and administrative authorities of Cali are reluctant to investigate the case,
giving the impression that they do not want to confront the officer who gave
the order, thereby protecting those responsible for the abduction and
"disappearance" of John Ricardo Ubate Monroy and Gloria Bogotá.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In recent years widespread and systematic human rights violations have occurred
in Colombia, including extrajudicial executions, "disappearance", torture and
arbitrary arrest. President Ernesto Samper Pizano, who assumed office on
7 August 1994, has publicly stated that tackling the human rights situation
will be a priority for his government. His promises include a commitment to
dismantle paramilitary forces. However, members of the Colombian armed and
security forces together with their paramilitary allies continue to commit
serious abuses with virtual impunity. Only exceptionally are perpetrators
brought to justice; the vast majority of members of the armed forces responsible
for gross human rights violations remain in active service.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters either in Spanish, English or in your own language:
- expressing concern for the safety of John Ricardo Ubate Monroy and Gloria
Bogotá, who have not been seen since they were abducted by six armed men on
19 May 1995;
- urging that there be an immediate and thorough investigation into their
whereabouts, the results of which should be made public and those found
responsible for their abduction brought to justice;
- urging that, if they are in detention, that they be humanely treated, allowed
access to lawyers and to their family and that they be released unless charged
with a recognized criminal offence;
- asking for an investigation to establish the responsibility of the officers
of the Metropolitan Police of Cali who ordered a halt to the pursuit of the
abductors.
APPEALS TO
2
1) President of Colombia:
Señor Presidente Ernesto Samper Pizano
Presidente de la República
Palacio de Nariño
Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia
Telegrams: President Samper Pizano, Bogotá, Colombia
Telexes: 44281 PALP CO
Faxes: + 57 1 289 3377/286 7434/287 7939
Salutation:Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente/Dear President Samper
2) Minister of the Interior
Dr. Horacio Serpa Uribe
Ministro del Interior
Ministerio del Interior
Carrera 8a, No.8-09, Piso 7
Santafé de Bogotá
COLOMBIA
Telegrams: Ministro del Interior Serpa, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes:45406 MINGO CO
Salutation:Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister
Fax:+ 57 1 286 65 24/ 286 00 53/ 286 04 85
3) Procurator General:
Dr. Orlando Vásquez Velásquez
Procurador General de la Nación
Procuraduría General
Edificio Banco Ganadero
Carrera 5, No. 15-80
Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia
Telegrams: Procurador General Vásquez, Bogotá, Colombia
Faxes:+ 57 1 342 9723/281 7531
Salutation:Sr. Procurador de la Nación/Dear Dr. Vásquez
4) Attorney General
Dr. Alfonso Valdivieso Sarmiento
Fiscal General de la Nación
Fiscalia General de la Nación
Apartado Aéreo 29855
Santafé de Bogotá
Colombia
Telegrams:Fiscal General Valdivieso, Fiscalia General, Bogotá, Colombia
Faxes:+ 57 1 245 5292 or 287 0939 or 288 2828
Salutation: Estimado Dr. Valdivieso/Dear Dr. Valdivieso
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Intercongregational Commission for Justice and Peace
Comisión Intercongregacional de Justicia y Paz
AA 31861
Santafé de Bogotá
Colombia
and to diplomatic representatives of Colombia accredited to your country
3
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 8 September 1995.