Please read the monthly Urgent Action Network Newsletter posted 
on the web at: http://www.amnesty-USA.org/urgact/newslett.html 

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: sharriso@aiusa.org
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/urgact/
Phone: 303 440 0913
Fax: 303 258 7881
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Note: Please write on behalf of these people even though you may not 
have received the original UA when issued on July 10, 1998. Thanks!
21 July 1998

Further information on UA 198/98 issued 10 July 1998) - Fear for 
safety

COLOMBIA 
Jose Daniel Alvarez, General Coordinator of ASFADDES, a non-
governmental human rights organization, and other members.
New Name: Asrtid Manrique, ASFADDES member in Popoyan 
regional office

There are increasing fears for the safety of members of Asociacion de 
Familiares Detenidos y Desaparecidos, ASFADDES, Association of 
the Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared, as a result of further 
death threats and intimidatory acts against members of the 
organization.

On 15 July 1998 a message was left on the answer machine in the 
regional ASFADDES office in Popoyan, capital of Cauca Department, 
saying 'Carry on fucking us around and my boss will kill you' (Segui 
con tu joda que mi jefe te va a matar). The target of this death threat 
is believed to be Astrid Manrique who runs the office in Popoyan.

On 14 July 1998 the head offices of ASFADDES in Bogota received 
an anonymous phone call. It became apparent that the sounds 
coming over the phone were being picked up by bugging microphone 
in the ASFADDES office. This phone call seems to have been 
intended to show that ASFADDES offices and members were under 
surveillance, and as such to further intimidate human rights activists 
belonging to ASFADDES. 

A ruling made by the Interamerican Court of the Organization of 
American States (OAS) in July 1997 requires the Colombian 
Government to provide members of ASFADDES with special 
protection measures. The Court ruled that a central feature of this 
needed to be the thorough and impartial investigation of all attacks, 
death threats and intimidation against ASFADDES members.

Background information from the originally issued Urgent Action:
A death threat made on 9 July 1998 against Jose Daniel Alvarez, the 
General Coordinator of the Asociacion de Familiares Detenidos y 
Desaparecidos, ASFADDES, Association of the Relatives of the 
Detained and Disappeared, raises fears for his safety and that of all 
members of ASFADDES.

An anonymous man telephoned the  ASFADDES offices in the 
capital, Bogota, demanding to speak to Jose Daniel Alvarez. When he 
was told that Jose Daniel was not in the office, he threatened 
ASFADDES' Coordinator General, saying: 'Digale a ese 
triplehijueputa que ya le tenemos cogido y lo vamos a matar', 'Tell 
that son-of-a-bitch that we already have him and we are going to kill 
him'.

President Samper has repeatedly pledged his government's 
commitment to protect human rights and tackle impunity. However, 
members of the Colombian armed and security forces, together with 
their paramilitary allies, continue to commit serious violations with 
virtual impunity.  Trade unionists, popular leaders, civic activists and 
human rights workers are amongst those frequently targeted. Only in 
exceptional circumstances are perpetrators brought to justice; the 
vast majority of members of the armed forces responsible for gross 
human rights violations remain in active service. 

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send 
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters: 
-expressing serious concern for the safety of Astrid Manrique, Jose 
Daniel Alvarez and all other members of ASFADDES;
- calling on the authorities to take all steps necessary to guarantee the 

safety of members of ASFADDES in line with the ruling by the 
Interamerican Court and deemed appropriate by those under threat;
- calling for full and impartial investigations into all death threats 
and 
intimidation against ASFADDES members.

APPEALS TO:
President of Colombia:
Senor Presidente Ernesto Samper Pizano 
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8 No. 7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia 

Dear President Samper:

Telegrams: President Samper, Bogota, Colombia 
Telexes: 396 44281 PALP CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 284 2186 / 286 7434


Attorney General:
Dr. Alfonso Gomez Mendez,
Fiscal General de la Nacion
Fiscalia General de la Nacion
Apartado Aereo 29855
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Dr.Gomez Mendez:

Telegrams: Fiscal General, Fiscalia General, Bogota, Colombia
Faxes:  011 571 570 2000 (when ansaphone picks up, dial 2017 for 
fax tone)


Minister of the Interior:
Dr. Alfonso Lopez Caballero,
Ministro del Interior
Ministerio del Interior
Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2
Santafe de Bogota,COLOMBIA

Dear Minister:

Telegrams: Ministro del Interior, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes: 396 45406 MINGO CO
Fax: 011 57 1 281 5884/286 6524/286 0053


COPIES TO:
Association for Relatives of the 'Disappeared':
Senores
ASFADDES
AA 011446
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Ambassador Juan Carlos Esguerra 
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Pl. NW
Washington DC 20008

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 September 1, 1998.