AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

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FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 12 May 2003, there was a break-in at the offices of the Center for the Prevention of Torture Victims and their Relatives (Centro de Prevención Tratamiento y Rehabilitación de las Víctimas de la Tortura y sus Familiares, CPTRT) in Tegucigalpa. The main office door was kicked in and computer and paper files containing confidential patient information appeared to have been thoroughly searched. Staff at the CPTRT believe that the break in had political motives as no office equipment was stolen.

CPTRT offers psychological support to victims of torture and institutional violence and their family members. In addition to rehabilitation services, CPTRT conducts trainings with prison personnel, police officers, and administrators in the judicial system on culturally sensitive treatment models and organizational skills. The center also documents and monitors cases of torture and conducts research on the general human rights situation in Honduras.

CPTRT staff believe that the break in was intended to intimidate the organization from pursuing their documentation work. In 2002, the group supported the Director of the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police in an investigation that found at least twenty members of the Ministry of Security and the National Police responsible for extrajudicial executions of street children in Honduras. CPTRT is also investigating a riot that occurred in the El Porvenir prison last April that resulted in the death of 69 inmates, the majority of whom were members of youth gangs. The organization is investigating a claim that prison guards are responsible for the deaths of the inmates.

According to Amnesty International (AI), there are numerous reports of attacks against Honduran human rights defenders, but the authorities rarely investigate the cases effectively. AI is concerned that the lack of credible investigations has the effect of encouraging future attacks because those responsible have the “knowledge that their impunity is all but guaranteed.”

(Sources of information for this case include: Amnesty International and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims.)

RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

The Human Rights Defenders Declaration

• Article 6(a): Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: To know, seek, obtain, receive and hold information about all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including having access to information as to how those rights and freedoms are given effect in domestic legislative, judicial or administrative systems.
• Article 6(b): Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• Article 6(c): Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send faxes, letters, or emails:

• Expressing your concern that the May 12 break in of the Center for the Prevention of Torture Victims and their Relatives may be politically motivated;
• Requesting that the government take immediate steps to ensure the safety of CPTRT staff; and
• Urging the government to undertake an immediate, full, and impartial investigation into this incident and to make the results of the investigation public.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Dr. Oscar Alvarez
Ministro de Seguridad Publica
Ministerio de Seguridad Publica
Edificio Poujol, 4o piso
Col. Palmira (Blvd. Morazan)
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Fax: 011 504 220 4352
Salutation: Dear Mr. Minister:

Dr. Roy Edmundo Medina
Fiscal General de la Republica (Attorney General)
Fiscalia General de la Republica
Colonia Loma del Guijaro
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Fax: 011 504 221 5666
Salutation: Dear Attorney General

Sra. Coralia Rivera Ramos
Directora General de la Policia Preventiva y Comisionada de Policia
Cuartel General de la Policia Preventiva
Barrio Casamata, Paseo el Picacho
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Fax: 011 504 2381323(say 'me da tono de fax, por favor'
Salutation: Dear Director of the National Police

COPIES SENT TO:

Ambassador Mario Miguel Canahuati
Ambassador of Honduras to the United States
Embassy of Honduras
3007 Tilden St. NW Suite 4-M
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 966 9751
embassy@hondurasemb.org
Salutation: Dear Mr. Ambassador:

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6797; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals are to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

To verify the contents of this alert and/or the electronic signature, please download the signed file for this alert along with the Program's PGP Public Key.

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