Argentine: effraction et cambriolage au domicile de la défenseuse des droits humains Viviana Beigel

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports of a break-in and robbery at the home of human rights defender Viviana Beigel on 11 April 2008. Viviana Beigel is a human rights lawyer with the Movimiento Ecuménico por los Derechos Humanos - MEDH (Ecumenical Movement for Human Rights) in the region of Mendoza in Argentina. She has defended victims of human rights violations committed during the dictatorship.

On the night of 11 April 2008, Viviana Beigel's home was broken into. Property was damaged and there was some minor theft.

The MEDH has taken part in judicial action against Carlos Rico, a retired police inspector who is currently undersecretary of Security in Celso Jaque's government. On 25 March 2008, Viviana Beigel presented a case to the federal court against Carlos Rico for having participated in illegal detentions, torture and disappearances between 1976 and 1979.

I believe that the break-in at Viviana Beigel's home is related to her legitimate work as a human rights activist, in particular her work to defending victims of human rights violations committed during the time of the dictatorship. I am concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Viviana Beigel.

I urge the Argentine authorities to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the break-in at the home of Viviana Beigel, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice;

2. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Viviana Beigel;

3. Take measures to put an end to all forms of intimidation against human rights defenders and lawyers in Argentina and ensure that they are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities, without fear of restrictions or reprisals, in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Yours sincerely,