Adamant: Hardest metal
Sunday, June 15, 2003

VENEZUELA Fear for safety -- AMR 53/010/2003
Posted by click at 12:00 PM in Human rights

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, June 06, 2003 By: Amnesty International

Death Threats/Fear for Safety

VENEZUELA

  • Miguel Diaz Loreto (m)
  • Dinorah Maria Diaz Loreto (f)
  • Jairo Alexis Diaz Loreto (m)
  • Bladimir Diaz Loreto (m)
  • Alexandra Gualdron (f)
  • Killed: Enmary Cava (f)

On 26 May, Enmary Cava died in hospital in the town of Cagua, Aragua state. She had been in hospital in a critical condition after being shot six times by an unidentified man on 10 May. A female friend who was with her when she was shot is still in a critical condition in hospital.

On 27 May, a judge in the town of Cagua ordered the authorities to ensure the protection of Dinorah Maria Diaz Loreto, Alexandra Gualdron and Jairo Alexander Diaz Loreto. However, it is not clear what measures will be taken and when they will begin.

Amnesty International is concerned that no measures were ordered to protect Enmary Cava's injured friend, witnesses to the killings of Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and Octavio Ignacio Diaz, and other members of Enmary Cava's family including Miguel Diaz Loreto and Bladimir Diaz Loreto.

It is believed that the attack against Enmary Cava and her friend may be related to the increasing number of death threats received by Enmary Cava and members of her family, allegedly from agents of the Aragua State Police.

The family members had been pressing the local authorities to carry out an exhaustive investigation into the killings of brothers Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and their father, Octavio Ignacio Diaz. The three men were killed in suspicious circumstances by agents of the Aragua State Police on 6 January.

Family members claim that the Aragua State Prosecutors Office has failed to carry out an exhaustive, impartial and prompt investigation into the killings and police have reportedly been unwilling to cooperate with the investigation.

According to reports, detention orders may be issued next week against seven police officials for the killings of the three men.

Local human rights groups have, however, expressed concern that insufficient time has been given for collecting evidence against the officials, thus running the risk of acquittal on grounds of insufficient evidence.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

  • expressing sadness at the death of Enmary Cava, whose family have received a number of death threats;

  • calling on the authorities to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the fatal attack on Enmary Cava and on her friend, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;

  • expressing concern for the safety of Enmary Cava's family including Dinorah Maria Diaz Loreto, Jairo Alexis Diaz Loreto, Bladimir Diaz, Miguel Diaz Loreto, and Alexandra Gualdron;

  • urging the authorities to take action to guarantee the safety of all members of Enmary Cava's family, Enmary Cava's friend, and witnesses to the killings of Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and Octavio Ignacio Diaz, in accordance with the wishes of those at risk;

  • calling on the authorities to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the death threats and harassment experienced by these individuals, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;

  • urging the authorities to carry out a exhaustive and impartial investigation into the killings of Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and Octavio Ignacio Diaz, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice.

APPEALS TO (Time difference = GMT - 4 hrs / BST - 5 hrs):

Attorney General:

Fiscal General de la Republica, Dr. Isaias Rodriguez Avenida Universidad, Esquina Pele el ojo a Misericordia, frente a Parque Carabobo, Caracas, VENEZUELA

Telegram: Fiscal General de la Republica, Caracas, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 212 576 44 19 [Salutation: Estimado Senor Fiscal General/Dear Attorney General]

Local Governor:

Gobernador de del estado Aragua Sr. Didalco Bolivar Palacio de Gobierno Maracay, Estado de Aragua, VENEZUELA

Telegram: Gobernador del estado, Aragua, Maracay, Estado de Aragua, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 243 2377002 (it may be difficult to get through; please keep trying) E-mail: didalco@gobernacion.arg.gov.ve [Salutation: Estimado Senor/Dear Sir]

Local Police Chief:

Comandante de la policia de Aragua Comisario Angel Mercado (no address available)

Telegram: Comandante de la policia de Aragua, Maracay, Estado de Aragua, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 243 235 1220 [Salutation: Estimado Senor Comisario/Dear Sir]

Human Rights Ombudsman:

Defensoria del Pueblo Dr. German Mundarain Bellas Artes comienzo Avenida Mexico frente al Ateneo de Caracas Plaza Morelos, Caracas, VENEZUELA

Telegram: Defensoria del Pueblo, Caracas, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 212 575 4467 (if a voice answers, say "tono de fax por favor") Email: gmundarain@defensoria.gov.ve [Salutation: Estimado Senor/Dear Sir]

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

His Excellency Senor Alfredo Toro Hardy, Embassy of Venezuela, 1 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2HR. Fax: 020 7589 8887 Email: venezlon@venezlon.demon.co.uk

AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:

Commission for Human Rights, Justice and Peace for the State of Aragua:

Comision de Derechos Humanos de Justicia y Paz del Estado Aragua Calle Negro Primero, Oeste N 98, frente al Liceo 'Valentin Espinal', Cruce con Av. Ayacucho, Maracay Estado Aragua, VENEZUELA

Fax: 00 58 243 233 6363 (if a voice answers, say "tono de fax por favor")

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 18 July 2003.

You are not logged in