Urgent Actions

Eloída Mejía Samayoa

Fear for Safety/ Death Threats

Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Eloída Mejía Samayoa, President and Legal Representative of Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of Izabal's Lake Association, following recent death threats against her.

Eloída Mejía Samayoa is head of an environmental organization which is opposed to the reactivation of mining activities in Izabal Department. On 18 February, she was reportedly warned to stop opposing mining activities or risk being killed. Her landlord was also allegedly told that her house would be burnt down if she continued her activities. Three days later, a meeting in the city of Puerto Barrios which was convened by Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of Izabal's Lake Association to inform locals about the ecological impact of mining activities there was interrupted by unknown individuals. They threatened Eloída Mejía Samayoa by saying, "que cayera su cabeza", "her head will fall".

The threats against Eloída Mejía Samayoa follow the killing of environmental activist Enrique Alcántara on 10 February in Puerto Barrios. It is not known who killed him, but those who carry out illegal logging and animal-trafficking are among the suspects.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish, English or your own language:
-expressing concern for the safety of Eloída Mejía Samayoa;
-calling for a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the death threats against Eloída Mejía Samayoa, for the results to be made public and those found responsible to be brought to justice;
- urging that immediate measures are taken to ensure the safety of Eloída Mejía Samayoa
and all the other members of Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of the Izabal's Lake Association

APPEALS TO:

Attorney General
Sr. Juan Luís Florido
Fiscalía General del Ministerio Público
8a. Avenida 10-67, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Telegrams: Juan Luís Florido, Fiscal General de la República, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: + 502 221 2718
Salutation: Estimado Fiscal General/Dear Attorney General

Human Rights Procurator
Dr. Sergio Fernando Morales Alvarado
Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos (PDH)
12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Telegrams: Sergio Fernando Morales Alvarado, Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 238 1734
Email: despacho.pdhg@correooficial.com OR opdhg@intelnet.net.gt
Salutation: Señor Procurador/ Dear Sir

COPIES TO:

National Council for Protected Areas
Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (CONAP)
5a Avenida 6-06, Zona 1
Edificio IPM, 7º Nivel
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: +502 238 3118

Please do not send after april 4, 2004