In January of 1996, three men were beaten, taken prisoner and charged with the murder of Pedro Barragán (see text of The Golf War in the Sacred Valley, part 2). Hundreds of witnesses deny the state's charges and believe the three are being "held hostage" by the state of Morelos in order to force the disbanding of the citizens' government in Tepoztlán. These men have been in prison for over a year, and are now likely to recieve life sentences.

More prisoners have since been taken.

Concerned action groups and individuals recommend sending appeals immediately, using the formats suggested below:

Send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters:

Expressing deep concern at the torture and imprisonment of Gerardo Demesa, José Carrillo and Fortino Mendoza.

Calling for the unconditional and immediate release of the three prisoners of conscience.

Calling for a prompt and thorough investigation into the alleged torture and for those members of the security forces responsible to be brought to justice.

Asking to be kept informed of the outcome of any investigation.

APPEALS TO:

1) President of the Republic:

(Sr. Presidente / Dear President)

Lic. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon

Presidente de la Republica

Palacio Nacional

06067 Mexico D.F.

MEXICO

[Telegrams: Presidente Zedillo, Mexico D.F., Mexico]

[Telexes: 170937 sppnme; 1774468 sppnme]

[Faxes: 011 52 5 515 1794 or 011 52 5 542 1648 (voice line: ask 'me

puede dar tono de fax, por favor')]

2) Attorney General of the Republic:

(Sr. Procurador de la Republica/Dear Attorney)

Lic. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar

Procuraduria General de la Republica

Paseo de la Reforma y Violeta

Col. Guerrero

06300 Mexico D.F.

MEXICO

[Telegrams: Sr. Procurador de la Republica, Mexico D.F., MEXICO]

[Fax: 011 52 5 626 4419/ 011 52 5 626 4430]

3) Minister of the Interior:

(Sr. Secretario / Dear Minister)

Lic. Emilio Chuayffet Chemor

Secretario de la Gobernacion

Secretaria de la Gobernacion

Bucareli 99, 1er piso

Col. Juarez, 06699 Mexico DF

MEXICO

[Telegrams: Secretario Gobernacion, Mexico D.F., Mexico]

[Faxes: 011 52 5 546 5350]

4) Governor of the State of Morelos:

(Sr. Gobernador / Dear Governor)

Governor of the state of Morelos

Lic. Jorge Carrillo Olea

Gobernador del Estado de Morelos

Palacio de Gobierno Cuernavaca

Estado de Morelos, MEXICO

[Telegrams: Gobernador Morelos, Mexico]

[Faxes: 011 52 7 311 3020; this is a voice line so please ask to have

the fax machine turned on.]

Copies To:

1) Daily newspaper:

Sr. Editor

La Jornada

Balderas 68

06050 Mexico D.F.

MEXICO

2) Human rights organization:

Sres., Centro de Derechos Humanos

Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez, AC

CP 06700

Mexico D.F.

MEXICO [E-mail: prodh@laneta.apc.org]

3) Ambassador Jesus Silva Herzog

Embassy of Mexico

1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington DC 20006