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
--------------------------------------------------- 
21 September 1998

Further information on UA 244/98 issued 15 September 1998 
Fear for Safety

COLOMBIA       

	Killed: Alcides JIMENEZ, Priest
	Fear for safety: Evangelina ANDRADE
	New Name: Betty VALLEJO


Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of Betty
Vallejo, who worked closely with Father Alcides Jimenez, the Roman
Catholic priest of the Nuestra Senora del Carmen parish, municipality
of Puerto Caicedo, department of Putumayo, who was gunned down
as he celebrated Mass on 11 September 1998 in an attack which left
church helper Evangelina Andrade seriously wounded.

According to information received, the two gunmen (believed to be
members of a paramilitary group) who killed Father Alcides Jimenez,
were looking for Betty Vallejo on the same day of the killing. Betty
Vallejo worked closely with Father Alcides Jimenez on parish social
and peace programs. Amnesty International is also concerned for the
safety of other members of the parish working on its social and peace
projects against whom death threats have reportedly been made in
recent days.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters:
- expressing concern for the safety of Betty Vallejo and other social
and peace workers in the parish of Nuestra Senora del Carmen;
- urging that all measures, deemed appropriate by those under threat
themselves, are undertaken to guarantee their safety;
- expressing concern at the killing of the Roman Catholic priest
Alcides Jimenez by unidentified gunmen on 11 September 1998 and
expressing concern for the safety of Evangelina Andrade;
- urging for full and impartial investigations into the killing of Father
Alcides Jimenez and the serious wounding of Evangelina Andrade,
that the results be made public, and that those responsible 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:
President of Colombia:
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 1 281 6316 / 289 3377 / 286 7434 (if voice answers
ask: 'me puede dar tono de fax por favor')


Attorney General:
Dr. Alfonso Gomez Mendez
Fiscal General de la Nacion
Fiscalia General de la Nacion
Diagonal 22B 5201
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Dr.:

Telegrams: Fiscal General, Fiscalia General, Bogota, Colombia
Faxes:    011 57 1 570 2017


Governor of the Department of Putumayo:
Sr. Jorge Devia Murcia
Gobernador del Departamento de Putumayo
Gobernacion de Putumayo
Mocoa, Putumayo,
Colombia

Dear Dr.:

Telegrams: Gobernador de Putumayo, Mocoa, Colombia


COPIES TO:
Intercongregational Commission for Justice and Peace:
 Comision Intercongregacional de Justicia y Paz
AA 31861
Santafe de Bogota,

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  November 2, 1998.

'Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.'
Article    3, Universal Declaration of Human Rights