AI INDEX: AMR 27/01/97 News Service 10/97

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT SEEK THE RECAPTURE OF LUIS LIZARDO CABRERA

Amnesty International has appealed to the President of the Dominican Republic not to seek the recapture of Luis Lizardo Cabrera, a political activist detained in 1989, who escaped from prison on 24 December 1996 and whose current whereabouts are unknown.

In a letter to the Dominican President, Leonel Fernández Reyna, Amnesty International reiterated its conviction that Luis Lizardo, who was detained following allegations that he was involved in the bombing in April 1989 of an educational centre in Santo Domingo, is a prisoner of conscience.

Since the detention of Lizardo, at least three courts have ordered his release, including the Supreme Court of Justice, which, in August 1992, stated in its conclusions that Lizardo was innocent of all charges. However, the Secretary of State for the Interior has consistently refused to release him.

Amnesty International, which considers Lizardo to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely on account of his non-violent political activities, has repeatedly called for his immediate and unconditional release.

In its letter, the human rights organization reminded President Fernández that the Dominican Republic has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights, and that the detention of Luis Lizardo is in contravention of these instruments.

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