Human rights umbrella hails decision to put alleged murder squad police on trial

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 14, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Foro por la Vida human rights umbrella group has welcomed a decision by Anzoategui State 3rd Control judge Hilda Zamora to bring Bolivar municipality police agents to trial for the summary execution of Carlos Arturo Ramos. Zamora.

The group says it supports the work done by the Anzoategui State Human Rights Foundation in highlighting police abuses and defending the family of the deceased.

"Judge Zamora has found sufficient evidence to put Rafael Jimenez, German Matey, Angel Custodio Figuera and Andres Alexander Medina Barrero in jail until they stand for trial. "

Foro por la Vida has asked the judge to ensure that the Barcelona Penitentiary meets security requirements for the police agents to protect their personal integrity or investigate the possibility sending them to another detention center that will guarantee their human rights.

• Finally, the group has criticized the Anzoategui police for launching a nasty publicity campaign to disqualify Ramos’ name.

“The protection of the right to citizen security is not incompatible with the preservation of the rule of law and respect for each human right. On the contrary, only a police force that respects those principles can guarantee citizen security.”