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TITLE: Security Forces Intervene In March Three Times - Fear Of New Intervention |
AUTHOR: |
DATE: April 23, 2001 |
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At approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21 officers from the Special Security Police (GES) and the Highway Police intervened the March for Life and Sovereignty 51 km from La Paz, in Achica Arriba. Witnesses reported the use of excessive force by detaining officers. At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 22 Special Security Police once again intervened the marchers led by Evo Morales, leader of the Six Coca Growers' Federations as well as the group led by Moises Torres, Executive Security of the Cochabamba Campesino Federation (FSUTCC). The total number of detainees was 89-90 people, including Leopoldo Altamirano, of the La Paz Permanent Human Rights Assembly and journalist Ana Siles. Officers beat marchers and forced them onto trucks. They were transported to Cochabamba, where they were released at around 4:30p.m. Released detainees are returning to the march. POLICE DETAIN AND BEAT MARCHERS FROM LA PAZ YUNGAS At approximately 6:30 am Sunday, April 26 six trucks of Bolivian National Police violently intervened the march from the La Paz Yungas, in Pongo, 55 km from La Paz. Police use of violence during the arrests resulted in multiple contusions suffered by detainees. Officers forced approximately 100 detainees on cargo trucks and forcibly transported them to different towns in the Yungas, including Caranavi, Chulumani and Asunta. At present all detainees have been released and are returning to the march. MARCHERS REACH 'L ALTO' - STRONG PRESENCE OF SECURITY FORCES At this time (12:00 noon) marchers are entering El Alto above La Paz. Union leaders calculate that there are close to 10,000 marchers, including Cochabamba Water Coordinator members, coca growers, factory workers, rural and urban teachers, small-scale merchants and residents of El Alto. The marchers plan to meet the group from the La Paz Yungas in the San Francisco Plaza in downtown La Paz at 4 p.m. Observers report heavy presence of Bolivian military and police forces and FEAR IMMINENT INTERVENTION. SECURITY FORCES VIOLENTLY INTERVENE ROAD BLOCKADES IN YACUIBA Yesterday Bolivian security forces violently intervened in road blockades in Yacuiba, near the Argentinean border. TheYacuiba Civic Committee organized the blockades in order to request improvements in road infrastructure, improved trade agreements with Argentina, and access to regional profits from oil production. EX-PRESIDENT AND MNR PARTY ASK BANZER TO STEP DOWN On Friday, April 20, the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement, led by ex-president, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, formally requested President Banzer's resignation from office, arguing that the he is incapable of resolving the current political, economic and social crisis in the nation. The MNR requested that Vice President Jorge Quiroga finish Banzer's term, which ends in August of 2002. Although some social sectors support the proposal, most traditional political parties have rejected the request. Human Rights Ombudsperson, Ana Maria Romero de Campero stated that the constitutional term limits should be respected. The international community including the Organization of American States has vociferously rejected the proposal for Banzer's resignation. A U.S Embassy communiqué released on Saturday stated, "The government of the United States totally rejects yesterday's announcement requesting the resignation of President Hugo Banzer. The Constitution establishes a five-year term for the president of the Republic. The United States government maintains its unconditional support for the Bolivian Constitution and the democratic process." (AIN translation). HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS PLAN NATIONAL ACTION FOR PEACE The Bolivian Permanent Human Rights Assembly and other human rights groups are organizing a national action on April 27 to promote peace and dialogue to resolve the present conflict. A CALL TO ACTION We are extremely concerned that the Bolivian government's double discourse---expressing willingness for negotiations while continuing to repress marchers has seriously impeded the possibility for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Please send faxes to the Bolivian government officials below to urge the Banzer government to: 1. seek peaceful means to resolve the present conflict. 2. accept the mediation of the Facilitator's Commission, made up of the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, the Permanent Human Rights Assembly and the Catholic Church to immediately initiate dialogue as an alternative to violence. 3. respect the marchers' constitutional right to carry out a peaceful demonstration. 4. to guarantee the safety of human rights monitors and allow them to carry out their efforts without impediments or harassment Excmo. Sr. Presidente Hugo Banzer Suárez Palacio de Gobierno, La Paz, Bolivia Fax: 12 204 231 (Say: "tono de fax, por favor")
Sr. Ministro de Gobierno Guillermo Fortún, Ministerio de Gobierno Av. Arce No. 2409, esq. Belisario Salinas, La Paz, Bolivia Fax: 59 12 442 589
Sr. Ministro de Justicia Luis Vásquez, Ministerio de Justicia Avenida 16 de Julio, No. 1769, La Paz, Bolivia Fax: 59 12 392 982 (if a voice answers say: "Fax, por favor", and wait for the tone) For more information please contact: paz@albatros.cnb.net or kledebur@albatros.cnb.net END |