Argentine: cambriolage dans les bureaux du MEDH (Mouvement Oecuménique pour les Droits humains)

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports of a theft from the office of the Movimiento Ecuménico por los Derechos Humanos (MEDH). The MEDH is composed of a group of churches and has been specifically dedicated to the defence of human rights since its creation in 1976.

On 17 April 2008, at approximately 7.00 pm, an unknown man entered the offices of the MEDH and stole the computer that was used by the President of the organisation. To gain access to the offices the man had given the name of a member of staff and was allowed entry to wait for him. The computer that he removed contained valuable information on the MEDH and its employees.

The MEDH has taken part in judicial action against Carlos Rico, a retired police inspector who retired from his position as Under-secretary of Security for the Governor of Mendoza, Celso Jaque, on 16 March 2008. On 25 March 2008, Viviana Beigel, a lawyer with the MEDH, presented a case to the federal court against Carlos Rico for having participated in illegal detentions, torture and disappearances between 1976 and 1979.

On 11 April 2008 there was a break-in at the home of Viviana Beigel. In recent months there have also been two burglaries at the home of Alicia Morales, a witness to Carlos Rico's presence at the clandestine detention centre D2.

I believe that the theft from the offices of the MEDH is related to the legitimate work of the organisation in defence of human rights, in particular its work in defending victims of human rights violations during the Argentine dictatorship and in putting an end to impunity in Argentina.

I am concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of the members of the MEDH. I urge the Argentine authorities to:

Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the theft from the MEDH office and the break-ins at the homes of staff with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice;

Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all of the members of the MEDH;

Ensure that all human rights defenders in Argentina, carrying out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions and reprisals.

Yours sincerely,