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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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UA 222/98      Fear for safety / 'Disappearance'   17 August 1998

COLOMBIA  Heladio Penagos Rojas, President of Tibacuy
municipal council, Cundinamarca Department

There is serious concern for the safety of Heladio Penagos Rojas
after two unidentified men reportedly abducted him from his house on
10 August 1998 in the village of San Francisco, Tibacuy municipality.
His whereabouts remain unknown.

Heladio Penagos Rojas, President of Tibacuy municipal council and a
left-wing member of the Partido Liberal, Liberal Party, was a well-
known  community activist with involvement in a number of local non-
governmental organizations (NGOs).  Recently he had publicly
expressed his concern at the increasing political violence in the
municipality and at announcements made by paramilitary groups of
their intention to carry out incursions in the region.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On 10 May 1997 Heladio Penagos Rojas had his house illegally
searched by soldiers of the 'Miguel Antonio Caro' Battalion of the XIII
Brigade whose barracks are situated close to his village of San
Francisco.  He was subsequently detained and taken to Bogota
degrees where he was interrogated by members of the XX Brigade
[the army's intelligence brigade which has since been dismantled
after repeated allegations of involvement in human rights violations
and paramilitary activities].  He was released three days later without
charge.

Paramilitary organizations have repeatedly targeted community
leaders and left wing activists for 'disappearance' and/or extrajudicial
execution, accusing them of being guerrilla auxiliaries or
sympathizers.  Those who denounce impending paramilitary attacks
are particularly likely to be singled out by the military and their
paramilitary allies for human rights violations.

Members of the Colombian army and security forces and their
paramilitary allies continue to commit serious human rights violations
with virtual impunity.  Over the past five years several thousand
civilians have been killed by paramilitary groups throughout the
country.  In 1989, although the Colombian Government suspended
the constitutional legal base for the formation of paramilitary
organizations and issued directives to the armed forces to combat
and disband such groups, they continue to work with the support of
the security forces in many areas of the country.  No effective steps
have been taken as yet by the authorities to control their actions and
to hold members accountable for serious and widespread human
rights violations.  The Attorney General recently stated that more than
200 outstanding arrest warrants issued against alleged paramilitary
members responsible for widespread human rights violations have
still not been acted upon by the security forces.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters:
- expressing concern for the safety of Heladio Penagos Rojas who
was abducted from his home on 10 August 1998 in Tibacuy
municipality, Cundinamarca Department;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into his forced
disappearance, for the results to be made public and for those
responsible to be brought to justice;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the
security forces and paramilitary groups operating in the area and
urging that those found responsible for supporting and participating in
such groups be brought to justice;
- urging that the authorities take immediate action to dismantle
paramilitary groups, in line with stated government commitments;
- reminding Colombia's new government of the country's commitment
to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 3:
'Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.'

APPEALS TO: (fax tones may only be available during office hours
local time)
President of Colombia:
Senor Presidente
Dr. Andres Pastrana Arango
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino, carrera 8 No. 7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear President Pastrana:

Telegrams: President Pastrana, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes: 396 44281 PALP CO
Faxes:    011 57 1 284 2186 / 289 3377 / 286 7434


Minister of Defense:
Dr. Rodrigo Lloreda Caicedo
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional
Avenida Eldorado CAN - Carrera 52
Santafe, de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Minister:

Telegrams: Ministro de Defensa, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes: 396 42411 INPRE CO / 396 44561 CFAC CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 222 1874


Governor of Department of Cundinamarca:
Sr. Andres Gonzalez Diaz
Gobernador del Departamento de Cundinamarca
Gobernacion de Cundinamarca, Avenida Jimenez No. 7-50
Santafe, de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Sir:

Telegrams: Gobernador de Cundinamarca, Bogota, Colombia
Faxes:    011 57 1 2860234


Minister of the Interior:
Dr. Nestor Humberto Martinez
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
Faxes:    011 57 1 281 5884 / 286 6524 / 286 0405


COPIES TO:
Alternative Legal Association:
MINGA
AA 40303
Santafe de Bogota degrees, 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 28, 1998.