UA 70/05 Fear for safety/death threats

GUATEMALA Marielos Monzon (f), journalist Gabriel Mazzarovich (m), journalist

Journalists Marielos Monzon and Gabriel Mazzarovich have been subjected to death treats and intimidation, in what appears to be an effort to force them to stop reporting on demonstrations by groups including farmers, indigenous communities and teachers, who say the recently ratified Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will destroy their livelihood. The police and army are alleged to have used excessive force in response the demonstrations. Amnesty International is seriouslyc oncerned for the journalists' safety.

At 12:50pm on 17 March, Marielos Monzon received three consecutive phone calls on her mobile phone, but nobody spoke when she answered. The calls appeared to have been made from her own house, but when she phoned home her family said nobody had called her. Minutes later she received another phone call, also supposedly from her house, and this time a man apparently said, "deja de defender a esos indios hediondos hija de puta o te vamos a matar", "Stop defending those stinking Indians you bitch or we will kill you."

A few minutes later she received another phone call, this time from the Embassy of Uruguay, asking for confirmation that Gabriel Mazzarovich, who is a Uruguayan citizen, had died. Two Uruguayan newspapers had apparently reported his death. The news was unfounded, and Amnesty International believes the stories were placed in the newspapers to intimidate Gabriel Mazzarovich. Marielos Monzon and Gabriel Mazzarovich are colleagues on the radio program "Buenos dias con Marielos Monzon", "Good morning with Marielos Monzon", broadcast on Radio Universidad station, which is based in Guatemala City.

Radio Universidad had recently broadcast two special programs on the violence that took place during demonstrations against CAFTA. Protesters were allegedly violently repressed by the units of the police and the army during demonstrations in the municipality of Colotenango, department of Huehuetanango, in the northeast of the country, and the capital, Guatemala City. At least one protester was killed and approximately 10 injured. Amnesty International is concerned that the army has been repeatedly used in internal security during the government of President Berger. Under the Peace Accords signed in 1996 that put an end to 36 years of internal conflict, the army should only be responsible for the exterior defense of the country.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CAFTA was signed by the governments of Guatemala, other Central American countries, the Dominican Republic and the USA in May 2004. Among other things the protestors allege it will destroy local agriculture and restrict local production of medicines, while allowing US multinationals increased access to Guatemalan markets. Despite nationwide protests against CAFTA on 14 March, the following day President Oscar Berger signed the accord into law.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: --expressing concern for the safety of Marielos Monzon and Gabriel Mazzorovich; --calling on the authorities to take immediate measures, in accordance with the journalists' own wishes, to guarantee their safety; --calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the death threats and other harassment of Marielos Monzon and Gabriel Mazzorovich, with the results be made public and those responsible brought to justice; --asking the authorities to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation into all the reports of human rights violations committed during the demonstrations against CAFTA, regardless of who is accused, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice; --reminding the authorities that under to the 1996 Peace Accords the role of the army should only be the exterior defense of the country.

APPEALS TO: President: Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala. Licenciado Oscar Berger Perdomo Casa Presidencial 6 a. Avenida, 4-18 zona 1 Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA Fax: 011 502 2221 4423 / 2239-0090 Salutation: Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente/Dear President Berger

Minister of the Interior: Ministro de Gobernacion Carlos Vielman 6a.Avenida 4-64, zona 4, nivel 3 Ciudad de Guatemala. GUATEMALA Fax: 011 502 2362-02 37 Email: gobernacion@mingob.gob.gt Salutation: Senor Ministro/ Dear Minister

Attorney General: Fiscal General de la Republica y jefe del Ministerio Publico Juan Luis Florido 8a. Avenida 10-67, Zona 1 Antiguo Edificio del Banco de los Trabajadores Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA Fax: 011 502 2251 2218 Salutation: Estimado Fiscal General/Dear Sir

COPIES TO: Human Rights Procurator: Procurador de los Derechos Humanos Dr. Sergio Fernando Morales Alvarado Procuraduria de los Derechos Humanos (PDH) 12 Avenida 12-72, zona 1 Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Fax: 011 502 7775 5476 (if voice answers, say "el tono de fax, por favor") Email: opdhg@intelnet.net.gt

Offices of the program "Good Morning with Marielos Monzon": Oficinas del Programa "Buenos dias con Marielos Monzon" 19 calle 2-42, zona 14, casa 8 Guatemala City, Guatemala Fax: 011 502 2368 3355

Ambassador Jose Guillermo Castillo Embassy of Guatemala 2220 R St. NW Washington DC 20008 Fax: 1 202 745 1908 Email: info@guatemala-embassy.org

Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after 30 April 2005.

Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.

This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network Amnesty International USA PO Box 1270 Nederland CO 80466-1270 Email: uan@aiusa.org http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/ Phone: 303 258 1170 Fax: 303 258 7881

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