UA 420/90 - Guatemala: death threats: Jose Vicente Soto, Carmen Rubenia Zepeda
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AMR 34/63/90
Distr: UA/SC
UA 420/90 Death Threats 16 October 1990
GUATEMALA: José Vicente SOTO
Carmen Rubenia ZEPEDA, aged 33
Amnesty International is concerned at the recent death threats made against
trade unionist, José Vicente Soto, who is Secretario de Educación (Education
Secretary) of the trade union of the Instituto de Capacitación (INTECAP),
Institute of Training in Guatemala City. Amnesty International is also
concerned at the abduction on 13 October 1990 of his girl-friend Carmen Rubenia
Zepeda, who was released a day later.
The abduction of Carmen Zepeda was carried out by heavily armed men in
plain clothes, driving a cream coloured jeep with darkened windows, at 4pm
on 13 October 1990, in Zone 7 of Guatemala City. Her sister, who was with
her at the time of her abduction, stated that she tried to intervene, but was
assaulted by the abductors. Amnesty International received information that
Carmen Zepeda was blindfolded, transferred to another vehicle and taken to
an unknown location. There she was interrogated, during which she was beaten
and asked about José Soto's activities. The manner in which the abduction
was carried out strongly suggests security force involvement. Carmen Zepeda
was released, one day later, on Sunday 14 October 1990. Before her release
her captors told that her abduction was a warning and that José Soto should
leave the country immediately.
Following her release, however, the couple have continued to receive
death threats. On 15 October they received two anonymous telephone calls.
The caller reportedly told them that they had "let the woman go, but would
get the other" [José Soto]. Amnesty International is concerned for their safety.
José Soto had recently received earlier threats warning him to stop his
trade union activities, and was told that he and his girlfriend were being
watched.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amnesty International has been gravely concerned at what appears to be a serious
deterioration in the human rights situation in Guatemala in the months prior
to the general elections scheduled for 11 November. Victims have included
trade unionists, grass roots organizations, human rights workers, students,
peasants, displaced persons, church and opposition political groups. The
choice of victim, the manner in which abuses were carried out, and the weapons
used, indicated in many cases that official police and the military were
involved, acting in the guise of the so-called "death squads". In many reported
cases, threats preceded the victim's "disappearance" and/or extrajudicial
execution.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:
- expressing concern at the abduction and beating of Carmen Rubenia Zepeda;
- asking for an investigation into her abduction and beating and that those
found responsible be brought to justice;
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- urging that immediate steps be taken to guarantee her physical integrity
and that of José Vicente Soto.
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APPEALS TO
S.E. Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo
Presidente de la República de Guatemala
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, Guatemala
Tel: +502 22 1212, +502 22 2266
Fax: +502 253 7472
Telex: 5331 CAPRES GU
Telegrams: Presidente Cerezo, Guatemala, Guatemala
Gen. Carlos Augusto Morales Villatoro
Ministro de Gobernación
Despacho Ministerial
Oficina No. 8, Primer Nivel
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, Guatemala
Tel: + 502 2 21212/19, ext 500; 518105-6
Fax: + 502 2 518105
Telex: 5085 MINGOB GU
Telegrams: Ministro Gobernación, Guatemala, Guatemala
Lic. Rodolfo Maldonado Ruiz
Ministro de Trabajo y Previsión Social
Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, Guatemala
Tel: +502 22 1212, ext 580
Fax: +502 253 7472
Telex: 5325 RELPUB GU (via Public Relations Office of the
Presidency)
Cnel. Julio Enrique Caballeros Seigné
Director General de la Policía Nacional
6 Avenida 13-71
Zona 1, Guatemala
Guatemala
Telegrams: Director Policia, Guatemala, Guatemala
Tel: + 502 (2) 20221, 515158
COPIES TO:
Lic. Ramiro de León Carpio
Procurador de Derechos Humanos
Avenida Simeón Cañas 10-61
Zona 2, Guatemala, Guatemala
Diario Siglo XXI
7a Avenida 11-79
Edificio Galerias España, 6o piso
Zona 9, Guatemala, Guatemala
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Instituto de Capacitación (INTECAP)
Calle Mateo Flores 70-51
Zona 5, Guatemala, Guatemala
and to diplomatic representatives of Guatemala in your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 November 1990.