Environmental Activist Threatened

Environmental activist Flaviano Bianchini has reportedly received a series of anonymous telephone calls, and has been kept under surveillance. We believe that his life may be in danger.

Flaviano Bianchini, an Italian national, is working as a volunteer for the Guatemalan environmental group Colectivo Madre Selva, which is investigating the environmental effects of mining. At a press conference in Guatemala City on January 5, 2007, he presented a report on the pollution allegedly caused by a gold mine to the Tzala River in Sipakapa, located in the department of San Marcos. The report states that the river, which is the main source of water for indigenous people in the region, has been contaminated with heavy metals. The national press picked up the story the following day.

At a press conference on January 10, a government official reportedly told journalists that five criminal charges against Flaviano Bianchini and Madre Selva were going to be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Two days later, Flaviano Bianchini received an anonymous call to his cellular phone from a man who asked repeatedly, ¿Quien es? ¿Quién es? (''Who is it? Who is it?''). On January 13, he received another anonymous call to his mobile phone, from a man who repeated the word Cuidado, cuidado (''Be careful, be careful'') before hanging up.

On January 14 and 16, he received identical calls. After the second of these calls, when Flaviano Bianchini returned to his home at 8:00pm he noticed a grey Hyundai car with tinted windows parked directly outside his apartment. He went in, and went up to the roof to look at the car again, but when
he got to the roof the car was already pulling away.

On January 17, Flaviano Bianchini received a third identical call. When he left his house at 8:30am the next morning he found the same grey Hyundai car outside his apartment. As soon as Flaviano Bianchini opened his front door it drove off.

He received a fourth identical call on January 19, at 4:00pm. At 6:00pm, while he was shopping in Guatemala City, he noticed a man dressed in black with a cap pulled down to hide his face. Fearing that he was being followed, he took a roundabout route to the next shop he was going to, but the man allegedly followed him all the way. Flaviano Bianchini remained inside the shop for half an hour, and when he went back out onto the street, the man was gone.

On January 21, Flaviano Bianchini returned to his apartment at around 9:00pm, and noticed the same grey Hyundai car parked on the corner of his street, level with his apartment block. He went up to the roof to look again, and as before, saw the car pulling away.

On January 24, Flaviano Bianchini returned home at 8:00pm, and found the same car parked opposite his apartment, which again pulled away as he reached the roof. The next morning he received another anonymous phone call. This time the caller told him, “Deje de chingar” (''Stop f***ing around'').

Flaviano Bianchini has been investigating the effects of mining on the environment in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. On December 19, 2006 the Madre Selva Collective presented a complaint to relevant ministries regarding the alleged contamination of the Tzala River, based on Flaviano
Bianchini's study.

The Inter-American Human Rights Commission ordered the government to provide police protection to members of Madre Selva in October 2005, after the organization suffered intimidation, threats and attacks as a result of their work to protect the environment. They have campaigned actively on issues relating to the damaging effects of mining in Guatemala.

[This Urgent Action has been reproduced from Amnesty International Urgent Action Network (uan@aiusa.org, www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/, Phone: 202.544.0200). We appreciate their contributions! Please do not send appeal after March 9, 2007]

GHRC/USA is urging you to take action. We ask that you profess your solidarity with Flaviano Bianchini as he strives to continue to fight for the environment amidst threats and acts of intimidation by sending a fax (if someone answers say ''tono de fax por favor''), or a hand written letter to the Guatemalan Attorney General and the Minister of the Interior:

Expressing the grave concern for the safety of Flaviano Bianchini;
Calling on authorities to order a full and prompt investigation into the threatening telephone calls made to and alleged surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini;
Urging the authorities to take action to ensure his safety, in strict accordance with his own wishes;
and, Reminding the authorities that human rights defenders and environmental activities have the right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

Unless we take action, Flaviano Bianchini may face future threats, acts of intimidation, and potential attacks or attempts on his life. You can send your own message or send GHRC’s drafted message, pasted below. Moreover, we ask that you send a copy of your fax or letter to the Guatemalan Ambassador to the US (ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org), the Madre Selva Collective (mselva@intelnet.net.gt), and GHRC/USA’s office at ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org - so that we may be able to thank you for taking action. Thank you for your time and solidarity with Guatemalan environmental activists.

Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor's Office:
Fiscal General de la Republica y Jefe del Ministerio Publico
Lic. Juan Luis Florido
15 avenida 15-16
Zona 1, Barrio Gerona, 8vo. Nivel
Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: 011 502 2411 9124

I write to express my concern about the recent anonymous telephone calls made to and surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini, an Italian national volunteering with El Colectivo Madre Selva, a Guatemalan environmental organization. I recently learned that Flaviano Bianchini has received several anonymous telephone calls, has been followed, and has been watched by a grey Hyundai car with tinted windows. I am fearful that his life is in imminent danger as a result of these recent threats and acts of intimidation.

I ask that the Guatemalan authorities order a full and prompt investigation into the threatening telephone calls made to and alleged surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini, and bring those responsible to justice. In addition, I urge the authorities to take action to ensure Mr. Bianchini’s safety, in strict accordance with his own wishes.

Moreover, I want to remind the Guatemalan government of its obligations to recognize the legitimacy of the activities of environmental activists and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Please use the full extent of your influence to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out and that Flaviano Bianchini is safe from future threats and acts of intimidation. I thank you for your time and attention to this letter.

Minister of Interior
Ing. Carlos Roberto Vielmann Montes
Ministro de Gobernacion
6a. Avenida 13-71, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 2413 8658

Ambassador Jose Guillermo Castillo
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R St. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 745 1908

Email: ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org
Madre Selva Collective
3 Calle 2-60, Zona 10,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Email: mselva@intelnet.net.gt

Guatemala Human Rights Commission- USA
GHRC-USA
3321 12th St, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Fax: 202-526-4611
ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org

	Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

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	GHRC/USA - URGENT ACTION! January 29, 2007 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST THREATENED Please See Drafted Messages Ready to Send Below! Environmental activist Flaviano Bianchini has reportedly received a series of anonymous telephone calls, and has been kept under surveillance. We believe that his life may be in danger. Flaviano Bianchini, an Italian national, is working as a volunteer for the Guatemalan environmental group Colectivo Madre Selva, which is investigating the environmental effects of mining. At a press conference in Guatemala City on January 5, 2007, he presented a report on the pollution allegedly caused by a gold mine to the Tzala River in Sipakapa, located in the department of San Marcos. The report states that the river, which is the main source of water for indigenous people in the region, has been contaminated with heavy metals. The national press picked up the story the following day. At a press conference on January 10, a government official reportedly told journalists that five criminal charges against Flaviano Bianchini and Madre Selva were going to be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office. Two days later, Flaviano Bianchini received an anonymous call to his cellular phone from a man who asked repeatedly, ¿Quien es? ¿Quién es? (''Who is it? Who is it?''). On January 13, he received another anonymous call to his mobile phone, from a man who repeated the word Cuidado, cuidado (''Be careful, be careful'') before hanging up. On January 14 and 16, he received identical calls. After the second of these calls, when Flaviano Bianchini returned to his home at 8:00pm he noticed a grey Hyundai car with tinted windows parked directly outside his apartment. He went in, and went up to the roof to look at the car again, but when he got to the roof the car was already pulling away. On January 17, Flaviano Bianchini received a third identical call. When he left his house at 8:30am the next morning he found the same grey Hyundai car outside his apartment. As soon as Flaviano Bianchini opened his front door it drove off. He received a fourth identical call on January 19, at 4:00pm. At 6:00pm, while he was shopping in Guatemala City, he noticed a man dressed in black with a cap pulled down to hide his face. Fearing that he was being followed, he took a roundabout route to the next shop he was going to, but the man allegedly followed him all the way. Flaviano Bianchini remained inside the shop for half an hour, and when he went back out onto the street, the man was gone. On January 21, Flaviano Bianchini returned to his apartment at around 9:00pm, and noticed the same grey Hyundai car parked on the corner of his street, level with his apartment block. He went up to the roof to look again, and as before, saw the car pulling away. On January 24, Flaviano Bianchini returned home at 8:00pm, and found the same car parked opposite his apartment, which again pulled away as he reached the roof. The next morning he received another anonymous phone call. This time the caller told him, “Deje de chingar” (''Stop f**ing around''). Flaviano Bianchini has been investigating the effects of mining on the environment in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. On December 19, 2006 the Madre Selva* Collective presented a complaint to relevant ministries regarding the alleged contamination of the Tzala River, based on Flaviano Bianchini's study. The Inter-American Human Rights Commission ordered the government to provide police protection to members of Madre Selva in October 2005, after the organization suffered intimidation, threats and attacks as a result of their work to protect the environment. They have campaigned actively on issues relating to the damaging effects of mining in Guatemala. [This Urgent Action has been reproduced from Amnesty International Urgent Action Network (uan@aiusa.org, www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/, Phone: 202.544.0200). We appreciate their contributions! Please do not send appeal after March 9, 2007] TAKE ACTION HERE! GHRC/USA is urging you to take action. We ask that you profess your solidarity with Flaviano Bianchini as he strives to continue to fight for the environment amidst threats and acts of intimidation by sending a fax (if someone answers say ''tono de fax por favor''), or a hand written letter to the Guatemalan Attorney General and the Minister of the Interior: Expressing the grave concern for the safety of Flaviano Bianchini; Calling on authorities to order a full and prompt investigation into the threatening telephone calls made to and alleged surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini; Urging the authorities to take action to ensure his safety, in strict accordance with his own wishes; and, Reminding the authorities that human rights defenders and environmental activities have the right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; Unless we take action, Flaviano Bianchini may face future threats, acts of intimidation, and potential attacks or attempts on his life. You can send your own message or send GHRC’s drafted message, pasted below. Moreover, we ask that you send a copy of your fax or letter to the Guatemalan Ambassador to the US (ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org), the Madre Selva Collective (mselva@intelnet.net.gt), and GHRC/USA’s office at ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org - so that we may be able to thank you for taking action. Thank you for your time and solidarity with Guatemalan environmental activists. DRAFTED MESSAGES READY TO SEND! Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor's Office: Fiscal General de la Republica y Jefe del Ministerio Publico Lic. Juan Luis Florido 15 avenida 15-16 Zona 1, Barrio Gerona, 8vo. Nivel Guatemala, Guatemala Fax: 011 502 2411 9124 Estimado Sr. Fiscal General / Dear Attorney General, I write to express my concern about the recent anonymous telephone calls made to and surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini, an Italian national volunteering with El Colectivo Madre Selva, a Guatemalan environmental organization. I recently learned that Flaviano Bianchini has received several anonymous telephone calls, has been followed, and has been watched by a grey Hyundai car with tinted windows. I am fearful that his life is in imminent danger as a result of these recent threats and acts of intimidation. I ask that the Guatemalan authorities order a full and prompt investigation into the threatening telephone calls made to and alleged surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini, and bring those responsible to justice. In addition, I urge the authorities to take action to ensure Mr. Bianchini’s safety, in strict accordance with his own wishes. Moreover, I want to remind the Guatemalan government of its obligations to recognize the legitimacy of the activities of environmental activists and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Please use the full extent of your influence to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out and that Flaviano Bianchini is safe from future threats and acts of intimidation. I thank you for your time and attention to this letter. Respectfully, YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS HERE Minister of Interior Ing. Carlos Roberto Vielmann Montes Ministro de Gobernacion 6a. Avenida 13-71, Zona 1, Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA Fax: 011 502 2413 8658 Estimado Sr. Ministro / Dear Mr. Minister I write to express my concern about the recent anonymous telephone calls made to and surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini, an Italian national volunteering with El Colectivo Madre Selva, a Guatemalan environmental organization. I recently learned that Flaviano Bianchini has received several anonymous telephone calls, has been followed, and has been watched by a grey Hyundai car with tinted windows. I am fearful that his life is in imminent danger as a result of these recent threats and acts of intimidation. I ask that the Guatemalan authorities order a full and prompt investigation into the threatening telephone calls made to and alleged surveillance of Flaviano Bianchini, and bring those responsible to justice. In addition, I urge the authorities to take action to ensure Mr. Bianchini’s safety, in strict accordance with his own wishes. Moreover, I want to remind the Guatemalan government of its obligations to recognize the legitimacy of the activities of environmental activists and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Please use the full extent of your influence to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out and that Flaviano Bianchini is safe from future threats and acts of intimidation. I thank you for your time and attention to this letter. Respectfully, YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS HERE PLEASE SEND FAX COPIES OR CARBON COPIES TO: Ambassador Jose Guillermo Castillo Embassy of Guatemala 2220 R St. NW Washington DC 20008 Fax: 1 202 745 1908 Email: ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org Madre Selva Collective 3 Calle 2-60, Zona 10, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Email: mselva@intelnet.net.gt Guatemala Human Rights Commission- USA GHRC-USA 3321 12th St, NE Washington, DC 20017 Fax: 202-526-4611 ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org





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Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

January 29, 2007

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST THREATENED