Protest in Suchitoto, CRIPDES Leaders Captured – July 2, 2007

July 2, 2007

 

PROTEST IN SUCHITOTO, CRIPDES LEADERS CAPTURED BY POLICE

We want to share some preliminary information about events that have taken place so far this morning that have led to the arbitrary arrest and continuing detention of CRIPDES leaders by the National Civilian Police (PNC) in the municipality of Suchitoto, Province of Cuscatlán.  More information will be forthcoming, along with orientation on how to respond to these events, but meanwhile here is what we know:

 

–         A non-violent protest had been organized in Suchitoto this morning by the Association for the Development of El Salvador, CRIPDES, along with its regional branch in Suchitoto, PROGRESO, and the people of the organized rural communities in that municipality.

–         The arrests occurred when National Civilian Police (PNC) stopped the vehicle in which CRIPDES leaders were travelling to the protest, on the road several kilometres before they arrived in Suchitoto, outside the community of Milingo.  There a police car pulled in front of them and blocked their path, and officers forcefully arrested the following people:

o       Marta Lorena Araujo, President of the CRIPDES National Directive Council

o       Rosa Valle Centeno, Vice-President CRIPDES National Directive Council

o       María Haydee Chicas, CRIPDES journalist and photographer

o       Manuel Antonio Rodriguez, who was driving the CRIPDES vehicle

–         The CRIPDES leaders were handcuffed and thrown into an army vehicle, and taken through back-roads to the police station in Suchitoto.  When news of the arrest reached the protesters in Suchitoto, the people moved from the central park protest site to the police station to demand information and the liberation of those arrested.

–         The police found themselves surrounded, and called in the “UMO” (Unit for Maintenance of Order) Riot Police, who forcefully dispersed the crowds with tear gas, rubber bullets and wooden batons.  The CRIPDES detainees were then reportedly moved to an undisclosed location.

 

CRIPDES and other social movement organizations have denounced these events to the Attorney General’s Office for Human Rights, and demand the immediate liberation of its captured leaders, as well as respect for their physical and moral wellbeing.

 

They are calling for support from human rights and solidarity organizations in response to these actions that are a clear step backwards from the Peace Accords and in the ongoing process of building lasting peace and democracy.

 

These are early reports, and more information will be forthcoming along with orientation on how to provide moral and political support.