Date: 	Wed, 17 Jun 1998 11:41:37 -1000
From: Mia H H Lam <mial@hawaii.edu>
Subject: Salvadoran Gay Community Targeted (fwd)


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Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 18:55:22 -1000
From: Gaye M Chan <gchan@hawaii.edu>
Subject: Salvadoran Gay Community Targeted (fwd)




 C I S P E S
ACTION ALERT
June 15, 1998

MURDERS AND BOMB THREATS IN EL SALVADOR
 - GAYS BEING TARGETED - Considered Part of Organized Political Plan

Jos=E9 Alexis Barrahona, a transvestite known as "Karla," was a leader in
El
Salvador's gay rights movement.  On May 5 Karla died after being shot in
the throat and thorax eight days earlier.  According to a witness,
someone
picked up Karla in a car, then shot him twice, pushed him out of the car,
and then ran over him.  The killer reportedly presented himself at the
hospital to be sure Karla had died, and stated that he planned on killing
more transvestites.  Karla, who was just seventeen, is only one of the
seven gay victims killed over the past three months in the departments of
San Salvador and Sonsonate,
El Salvador.  This series of attacks, which has also focused on sex
workers, has left many people seriously injured as well.

Despite specific testimonies from many witnesses, including detailed
descriptions of assailants, there have been no significant criminal
inquiries by authorities.  Many NGOs working for human rights have
denounced the violence and lack of official investigation.  The
organizations Entre Amigos and Flor de Piedra, both active in the
Salvadoran gay rights movement, are leading the community with demands
that
the National Civilian Police (PNC) and state Judiciary undertake a
thorough
investigation of these attacks.

Demands for investigation have only been received with more threats of
violence.  William Hern=E1ndez, Director of Entre Amigos, has received a
personal threat over the phone and the office has received at least three
bomb threats.  Police officials claim that they are investigating this
wave
of targeted violence, but consider each case as an isolated incident.

Spokesperson from the Institute of Human Rights of the University of
Central America (IDHUCA), Camelia Cartagena, says that it is doubtful
that
the assaults are isolated incidents.  She further asserts that the
attacks
and murders could very well be part of an "extermination policy" of
"social
cleansing" similar to those carried out during the 12-year civil war that
ended in 1992.

Express your solidarity to end these heinous and condoned crimes!!
Demand that authorities investigate and punish those found guilty!!!

TAKE ACTION!
Those struggling for human rights in El Salvador need your support.
Call or write to the people below:

ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Call the US Ambassador to El Salvador, Ren=E9 Leon.
        *  express your concern about the wave of violence and lack of
investigation;
        *  urge him to pressure the Salvadoran president and the National
Police (PNC) to
                commence a thorough investigation immediately;
        *  demand that he advocate for the safety of sex workers and
people
working to
                 defend gay rights in El Salvador, especially in relation
to this case.
Embassy phone: (202)265-9671, ext. 229


SPANISH SPEAKERS
Contact of the following people (in order of priority):
        *  express concern about the wave of violence and lack of
investigat=
ion;
        *  demand that a thorough investigation begin immediately;
        *  demand safety for sex workers and for those working with
regards
to this case,
                including those that work in the office of Entre Amigos

Dr. Armando Calder=F3n Sol
Presidente de la Rep=FAblica
Avenida Los Diplom=E1ticos
Barrio San Jacinto
San Salvador, El Salvador C.A.
Tel (503) 271-1555
=46ax (503) 271-0950
E-mail: presidente@casapres.gob.sv

Ingeniero Rodrigo Avila Avil=E9s
Director General de La Polic=EDa Nacional Civil (PNC)
6=BA Calle Oriente y 8=BA Avenida Sur
No. 42 Barrio La Vega
San Salvador, El Salvador C.A.
Tel. (503) 221-6222
=46ax (503) 221-4033

EVERYONE
Send letters of support and solidarity to gay and human rights activists
in
El Salvador.
Knowing that there is international concern and action gives strength to
continue.
(Letters can be sent to CISPES National Office; they will be forwarded to
El Salvador.)

Originated by:
COMMITTEE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF EL SALVADOR
National Office: P.O. Box 1801, New York, NY 10159  212-229-1290
cispesnatl@igc.apc.org
Regional Offices: New York, NY 212-229-1290*Minneapolis, MN 612-872-0944*
San Francisco, CA 415-648-6520



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