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4 January 2001
VENEZUELA
Pemon indigenous people in San Rafael de Kamoiran
Juan Ramon LEZAMA
Silviano CASTRO
Pemon indigenous people protesting against the construction of an
electricity supply network in Venezuela's Gran Sabana region have
been harassed by soldiers, and one person has been severely ill-
treated. Amnesty International fears for their safety.
In the early hours of 29 December 2000, Juan Ramon Lezama was
reportedly held by the neck and beaten by two soldiers till he fell
unconscious. On regaining consciousness, he attempted to escape
but was chased by the soldiers. He ended up tangled in some barbed
wire where he was deliberately left. He apparently suffered injuries to
his neck, arms and legs. Amnesty International does not know
whether he remains in detention.
The incident took place after the army reportedly began keeping the
Pemon indigenous community of San Rafael de Kaimoran in the
municipality of Gran Sabana, Bolivar state, under routine surveillance
in late December 2000. Troops first visited the community on 26
December, offering the inhabitants free food. The community rejected
the offer in the belief that it was an attempt to persuade them to
abandon their campaign against the construction of a major electrical
power line in the region. Over the following three days, troops
returned to the community where they interrogated community
members and confiscated work-tools. They also surrounded the
home of Silviano Castro, the head (cacique) of the community.
Members of the community have said that the continuing harassment
by the army 'takes place on our own territory and affects our daily life,
our culture and our safety' ('occurre en nuestro propio territorio y
afecta nuestra vida cotidiana, nuestra cultura y nuestra seguridad').
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Pemon indigenous people are protesting against the construction of
an electricity supply network (tendido electrico) running pylons and
high voltage cables across Venezuela's Canaima National Park,
Imataca Forest Reserve and the Gran Sabana region. Work on the
network began in 1997 following an agreement for Venezuela to
supply northern Brazil with electricity.
Pemon indigenous people protesting against the construction of the
network have been subjected to acts of intimidation. In October 2000,
Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action on another Pemon
indigenous community, Santa Cruz de Maupari, after inhabitants
there received death threats (UA 332/00, 30 October 2000).
The Venezuelan Constitution adopted in 1999 includes provisions for
the protection of indigenous people and their environment. It also
provides for the protection of human rights, and states that
international human rights treaties and conventions are an integral
part of the rule of law in Venezuela.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters:
- expressing concern about reports that Juan Ramon Lezama was
detained and beaten by soldiers on 29 December 2000 in San Rafael
de Kaimoran in the municipality of Gran Sabana, Bolivar state;
- urging that if he is still in custody, he be charged with a recognizable
criminal offence or be immediately released;
- calling for a prompt and independent investigation into his alleged
ill-treatment, for the findings to be made public and for those
responsible to be brought to justice;
- expressing concern for the safety of all members of San Rafael de
Kaimoran, including Juan Ramon Lezama and Silviano Castro, and
urging the authorities to take the necessary steps to guarantee their
safety.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic:
Sr. Hugo Chavez Frias
Presidente de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de Miraflores
Esquina de Bolero
Av. Urdaneta
Caracas, Venezuela
Fax: 011 582 806 3101/ 3325 (It may be difficult getting
through to this number. Please be patient and keep trying)
Salutation: Senor Presidente
Minister of the Interior and Justice:
Sr. Luis Alfonso Davila
Ministro del Interior y Justicia
Ministerio del Interior y Justicia
Avenida Urdaneta Esquina de Platanal
Edificio Interior y Justicia
Despacho del Ministro, piso tres
Caracas, Venezuela
Fax: 011 582 861 1967/0363
Salutation: Senor Ministro
COPIES TO:
Indigenous rights organisation:
AMIGRANSA
Apartado Postal 50460,
Caracas 1050-A, Venezuela
Ambassador Alfredo Toro Hardy
Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela
1099 30th St. NW
Washington DC 20007
Email: politica@embavenez-us.org
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office
between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if
sending appeals after February 15, 2001.
This information is from Amnesty International's research
headquarters in London, England. A.I. is an independent worldwide
movement working for the international protection of human rights. It
seeks the release of people detained because of their beliefs, color,
sex, ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not
used nor advocated violence. These are termed prisoners of
conscience. It works for fair and prompt trials for all political
prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without
charge or trial. It opposes the death penalty, extra-judicial executions
(political killings), 'disappearances' and torture or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of all prisoners
without reservation. Amnesty International promotes awareness of
and adherance to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
other internationally recognized human rights instruments, the
values enshrined in them and the indivisibility and interdependence
of all human rights and freedoms.
Please do not repost this appeal to any part of the Internet
without prior permission from Amnesty International. Thank you for
your help with this appeal.
Please read the monthly Urgent Action Network Newsletter posted on
the web at: http://www.amnesty-USA.org/urgact/newslett.html
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: sharriso@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgact/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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