Appeal Case: January 2012
Country: Mexico
Gerardo Torres Pérez (m) and other students (m/f)
Concern:
Fear for safety, Torture, Extrajudicial killing
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Students who suffered torture and ill-treatment at the hands of state and federal police during a protest in Guerrero state, Mexico, are filing a complaint with federal and state prosecutors. There are fears that the complaint may lead to violent reprisal.
On 12 December 2011, police opened fire on unarmed students protesting outside the state capital, Chilpancingo. Two students were shot and killed, a petrol station employee died of burns, and fourteen others were injured. A total of twenty-four protesters were arrested.
According to testimony supported film and medical evidence, at least 14 of the students detained were beaten and kicked by federal police and state judicial police. One of the detainees, Gerardo Torres Pérez was then apparently tortured by state judicial police in order to force him to falsely implicate himself in the shooting of fellow students. All the detainees were released the following day.
On 19 January, several of the students and their human rights lawyers will file criminal complaints for their ill-treatment by Federal and State Police with the Federal Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR) and the Guerrero State Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado, PGJE). Gerardo Torres Pérez will file a complaint for torture by state judicial police with the PGJE. Amnesty International is concerned that the students will face intimidation or threats following the complaints; victims and witnesses are often deterred from pursuing justice in Mexico due to threats and intimidation.
The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), a governmental human rights ombudsman, has issued preliminary findings of its inquiry into the policing operation, concluding that excessive and unjustified force was used by federal and state police during the protest. The CNDH indicated that state judicial police were responsible for the deliberate shooting of students and the torture of Gerardo Torres Perez. The CNDH also found that federal and state police were responsible for the ill-treatment of detainees during and after arrest. Several state police officers have been placed in administrative detention (arraigo), but no state or federal police offices have been charged in connection with human rights violations. The CNDH ordered protection measures for the victims.
Background Information
The chaotic police operation to break up the student protest on 12 December highlighted the continuing grave failings in federal, state and municipal police practices, which frequently violate human rights and lack command and control, coordination or accountability. The compelling evidence that immediately came to light in this case has allowed victims to present criminal complaints. However, victims of torture and ill-treatment are often denied access to justice due to ineffective investigations. Victims and witnesses can also face threats and intimidation to deter them from pursuing justice.
RECOMMENDED ACTION - Please send appeals before March 1, 2012:
- Express concern for the safety of those victims who have filed a complaint against torture and ill-treatment and demand the authorities guarantee their safety in accordance with their wishes to enable them to continue criminal proceedings without fear of reprisals;
- Urge a prompt, full and impartial investigation into the violent operation on 12 December, including the full cooperation of federal, state and municipal police and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Appeals To:
Attorney General of the Republic
Marisela Morales Ibáñez
Paseo de la reforma 211-213
Col. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F.
C.P. 06500
MEXICO
Fax: 011 52 55 5346 0908
(ask for "fax" – please keep trying)
Email: ofproc@pgr.gob.mx
Salutation: Dear Attorney General
Copies To:
Human rights organization
tlachinollan.difusion@gmail.com
Ambassador
Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana,
Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW,
Washington DC 20006
Fax: 1 202 728 1698
Email: mexembusa@sre.gob.mx
Please Send Appeals Immediately
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