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
--------------------------------------------------- 
14 August 1998

Further information on UA 156/98 issued 18 May 1998 and follow-ups
(14 July 1998; 5 June 1998)

'Disappearances' / Fear for safety / Extrajudicial executions

COLOMBIA  'Disappeared': Oswaldo Enrique VASQUEZ
QUINONES and Robert WEUS GORDILLO SOLANO

Killed after being abducted: 25 inhabitants of Barrancabermeja:
Orlando MARTINEZ; Juan de Jesus VALDIVIESO; Riqui NELSON
GARCIA; Jaime Yesid PENA; Jose Milton CANAS; Jose Octavio
OSORIO; Wilfrido PEREZ SERNA; Wilson PACHECO; Diego
Fernando OCHOA, Maria Alejandra OCHOA; Giovanni HERRERA;
Carlos A. PRADA; Ender GONZALEZ BAENA; Libardo LONDONO;
Jose REINEL CAMPO; A. Fernando ARDILA LANDINEZ; Daniel
Campos PEREZ; Gary de Jesus PINEDO; Oscar Leonel BARRERA;
Melquisedec SALAMANCA; Carlos E. ESCOBAR; Wilfredo PEREZ
SERNA; Edgar PINEDA RANGEL; Juan Carlos RODRIGUEZ and
Luis Hernando SUAREZ

Killed during paramilitary attack: Diominio HERNANDEZ, Germ
degreesn Leon QUINTERO; Neill GUZMAN; Pedro Julio RONDON;
Jose J. JARAMILLO; Luis Jesus ARGUELLO and Eliecer QUINTERO

An investigation has been established by the Fiscalia General,
Attorney General's Office, into the extrajudicial execution and
'disappearance' of over 30 people in Barrancabermeja, Santander
Department on 16 May 1998.

An Army Corporal from the Nueva Granada Battalion, a military unit
based in Barrancabermeja, has reportedly been detained and
charged in connection with the killings and 'disappearances'. Other
members of the same battalion are reportedly also under
investigation for their part in the paramilitary attack. The Fiscalia
General has apparently also issued a warrant for the arrest of other
individuals in connection with these crimes.

Concerns remain for the safety of workers with the Corporacion
Regional de Derechos Humanos (CREDHOS), Regional Human
Rights Corporation, who were declared military targets by the
paramilitary organization responsible for the killings of the above
named people.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send 
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters:

 - welcoming the progress made in the investigation into the mass
killing and 'disappearances' by a paramilitary group in
Barrancabermeja in May 1998;

- urging Colombia's new government to fully support the investigation
in order to ensure that it is both impartial and comprehensive and that
all the perpetrators are brought to justice;

- calling for the prompt detention of those for whom the Fiscalia
General has issued arrest warrants;

- reiterating your concern for members of CREDHOS;

- calling for the authorities to undertake all measures deemed
appropriated by those still under threat to guarantee their safety;

- calling for full and impartial investigations into links between the
security forces and paramilitary groups and urging that all those
found responsible for supporting and/or participating in such groups
be brought to justice;

- urging the authorities to 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:                        (SALUTATION)
President of Colombia:                   
(Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente/    Dear President Prastana )
Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
carrera 8 No. 7-26, Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Telegrams: President Pastrana, Bogota, Colombia
Telex: 396 44281 PALP CO
Fax: 011 57 1 284 2186/289 3377/286 7434/

Minister of Defence:           (Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister)
Dr. Rodrigo Lloreda
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional
Avenida Eldorado CAN - Carrera 52
Santaf, de Bogota, Colombia
Telegrams: Ministro de Defensa, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes: 396 42411 INPRE CO;  396 44561 CFAC CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 222 1874

Minister of the Interior: (Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister)
Dr. Nestor Humberto Martinez
Ministro del Interior
Ministerio del Interior
Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2
Santaf, de Bogota, COLOMBIA
Telegrams: Ministro del Interior, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes: 396 45406 MINGO CO
Fax:  011 57 1 281 5884 / 286 6524 / 286 0405

COPIES TO:
Human Rights Organization:
CREDHOS
AA 505
Barrancabermeja, Santander, Colombia

Attorney General:    (Estimado Dr./Dear Dr.)
Dr.Alfonso Gomez Mendez
Fiscal General de la Nacion,
Fiscalia General de la Nacion, Diagonal 22B 5201
Apartado Aereo 29855
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Faxes:    011 571 570 2000 (when ansaphone picks up dial 2017 for
fax)

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 October 2, 1998.