Programs: Science and Policy
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AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program
View Alerts By > Case | Date | Country | Victim
AAAS Human Rights Action Network
| Date: | 27 June 2000 |
| Case Number: | gua0002_gu |
| Victim: | Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernández |
| Country: | Guatemala |
| Subject: | Psychology Professor Disappeared |
| Issues: | Freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention; Freedom of association and assembly; Freedom of opinion and expression; Right to liberty and security of the person |
| Type of alert: | New |
FACTS OF THE CASE:
Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernández, a psychology professor at the Rafael Landivar University in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, was last seen 7 April 2000. Family and colleagues fear she has been "disappeared." Mayra Gutiérrez has been an active member of the Women's Commission at the University of San Carlos (USAC), which conducts research on issues relating to women's rights. Three years ago, she published a research paper about illegal adoption in Guatemala that implicated several lawyers.
In recent months, two students and an administrator from USAC have been killed. There is a fear that her disappearance may be part of a political campaign against the University.
The disappearance of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernández constitutes a serious violation of international human rights standards, including basic protections listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Guatemala on 6 May 1992.) They include:
Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
- Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person (Article 3);
- everyone has the right to freedom of expression (Article 19); and
- everyone has the right to freedom of association (Article 20).
Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
(Source of information for this alert is Amnesty International)
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send telexes, telegrams, faxes or airmail letters:
- Requesting a prompt and independent investigation in to the disappearance of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernández, with the findings made public;
- asking that if detained, her safety be guaranteed, that she be granted access to a lawyer, medical attention and her family, and that she be promptly brought before a competent court or else released.
APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:
Lic. Alfonso Portillo Cabrera
Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala
6a. Avenida A 4-41, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 239 0090 (please keep trying)
Salutation:
Dear President:
Lic. Guillermo Ruíz Wong
Ministro de Gobernación
Ministerio de Gobernación
6a Avenida 4-64, Zona 4
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
TEL: 011 502 362 0240/ 361 5604
FAXES: 011 502 362 0239/ 362 0237
Dr. Marco Aurelio Pineda Colón
Dirección de Investigaciones Criminalísticas
Ministerio Público
6a Avenida 5-66 Ofic. 605, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
FAXES: 011 502 253 4287
COPIES SENT TO:
Lic. Julio Eduardo Arango Escobar
Procurador de Derechos Humanos
Procuradoría de los Derechos Humanos
12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1
Guatemala 01001, GUATEMALA
FAXES: 011 502 238 1734/ 253 5712
Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo por el Aparecimiento con Vida de Nuestros Familiares (GAM)
8a Calle 7-46, Zona 1, Pasaje Fénix
Apartamento 15, Ofic. 5
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
FAXES: 011 502 238 4134
His Excellency William Howard Stixrud
The Ambassador of Guatemala
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R St. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202 745 4952
Fax: 202 745 1908
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