Lic. Emilio Chuayffet Chemor
Secretario de Gobernacion
Secretaria de Gobernacion
Bucarelli 99, 1er piso
Col Juarez, 06699 Mexico DF
Mexico

Sr. Secretario:

I wish to express my concern regarding the recent arrest of seven people from Guerrero state in Mexico. All have connections to the legal opposition party, Partido Revolucionario Democratico (PRD).

On February 16, a large contingent of police arrested and allegedly beat five people from Guadalupe Mano de Leon. One of them -- Francisco Feliciano de Los Santos (aged 25) is currently imprisoned in Acapulco. The four others -- Victor Feliciano de Los Santos (aged 12), Antonio Hernandez de Los Santos (aged 20), Rufino Pablo Mendoza (aged 22) and Rufino Ramirez Vazquez (aged 20) -- have "disappeared" since being taken away. It is my understanding that the police had no warrants authorizing the arrest of any of these individuals.

A similar incident occurred the day before in the neighboring mixteco community of La Soledad. Sergio Martinez Santiago and Alfredo Rojas Santiago, both members of PRD, were reportedly arrested and tortured by a large contingent of police who accused them of being members of EPR, an armed opposition group. They also were arrested without warrants and are now being held in Ometepec prison.

I am very concerned for the safety of these seven people from Guadalupe Mano de Leon and La Soledad. I urge you to use your influence to ensure that none of them will be subjected to any form of ill-treatment or torture. If those who are detained are not charged with a recognizably criminal offense, they should be released immediately. In addition, I request that you call for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the whereabouts of those who have "disappeared" and ensure that their families are notified.

Sr. Secretario, I find it very disturbing that security forces in Mexico are permitted to commit acts of ill-treatment and torture without fear of punishment. Therefore, I request that all reports of such treatment against the seven individuals named in this letter be promptly and independently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice immediately. The Mexican government should send a strong message that the use of torture by any member of its security forces will not be tolerated and torturers will be held accountable for the criminal acts they commit.

Respectfully yours,