De : Andean Information Network COCA CONFLICT CONTINUES ---SOCIAL SECTORS RALLY TO SUPPORT MORALES January 28, 2002 Prepared by the Andean Information Network MORALES REMOVED FROM CONGRESS- BOLIVIAN SOCIAL SECTORS RALLY IN HIS SUPPORT At approximately 3:00 a.m. on January 24, a majority of the lower house of the Bolivian Congress removed Evo Morales from Congress. The blatantly politically motivated measure strips Morales of his Congressional immunity, and allows him to be tried on criminal and other charges. The members that voted against the measure immediately began a hunger strike in Congressional offices. Morales continues his hunger strike at the Cochabamba Workers' Union (COD) offices. Morales's lawyers plan to file a Constitutional habeas corpus petition this afternoon in the La Paz District Court, arguing that the Congressional ethics committee violated the leaders' right to the presumption of innocence and that (the) established procedures and terms for removal were not complied with. At this time the Congressional Ethics committee is considering removing eight other members of congress to face criminal charges. The accused include Luis "Chito" Valle, Banzer's son-in-law, for financial mismanagement during his term as La Paz prefect, and Fernando Kieffer, for embezzling of relief funds donated to assist victims of the Totora- Aiquile earthquake in 1999 during his term as Minister of Defense. DISTRICT ATTORNEY PLAYS WITH POSSIBLE DETENTION OF MORALES On January 25 Morales arrived in Cochabamba and was immediately served to appear at the district attorney's office to give a deposition about his alleged involvement in the violence in Sacaba and the death of four security officers. The district attorney did not show up. Evo Morales appeared before the prosecutor today at 9:30 am. The hearing was closed to the press and human rights monitors. Only Morales and his lawyers were allowed inside. The district attorney stated that there were not sufficient guarantees to take Morales's statement, citing the presence of a large number of protestors outside the office. He postponed the hearing indefinitely without stating the specific charges against the union leader. Although Congress stripped Morales of his immunity as an emergency measure to face criminal charges, district attorneys do not appear to have a case prepared yet against the ex-congressman. Morales told the press that he assumed that the government needed more time to fabricate evidence against him MORE LEADERS DETAINED On the morning of January 25, security forces detained coca grower representative and member of the Villa Tunari Municipal Council, William Condori, in Eterazama. Security forces also detained Filemon Escobar, advisor to coca growers, and nine others detained Cochabamba and Sacaba. An arrest warrant has also been issued Water Coordinator Leader, Oscar Olivera as well. At this time, according to the Social Ministry agency of the Catholic Church, 62 coca growers and other participants in protests remain in custody in the Abra high security men's prison and the San Sebastian's women's prison. A handful of detainees still show signs of the beating they received during their detention nine days ago, on January 15. The Bolivian government is attempting to paralyze the coca growers' movement by detaining the great majority of the experienced leaders. Their refusal to negotiate with established leaders of the movement impedes any peaceful resolution of the increasingly acute conflict. Unfortunately, the mass detentions will most probably backfire, as coca growers find themselves without alternatives to insure their subsistence. It is likely that this strategy will lead to prolonged indiscriminate violence from both sides. POLICE REPRESS MULTI- SECTOR PROTESTS WITH TEAR GAS AND RUBBER PELLETS On January 23, 24 and 25 different social groups, including coca growers, members of the Water Coordinator, public health employees, members of the press, the Bartolina Sisa Women's Campesino Union, and university employees marched again to protest Supreme Decree 26415, to request the closing of the Bolivian Congress and to protest Morales's removal from parliament and demand the immediate release of detained union leaders. Although public opinion had turned against coca growers after the death of 4 members of the security forces on January 17, support and shows of solidarity for the movement have increased since Morales' removal from congress. On all three days, police violently repressed marchers using tear gas, nightsticks and rubber pellets. There were at least ten people wounded. Teofila Soliz (67 years old), who was shopping at a downtown market fell during the conflict and died yesterday as a result. On January 25, confrontations between protestors and security forces lasted approximately 5 hours throughout the Cochabamba downtown area. The excessive quantity of tear gas used caused respiratory difficulties in residents. An employee of the Albina Patino Children's hospital denounced that tear gas fumes had permeated the building. Protests continue today. POLICE ASSAULT PRESIDENT OF THE COCHABAMBA PERMANENT HUMAN RIGHTS ASSEMBLY On January 25, after the peaceful march and protest in the Cochabamba main plaza to protest. At approximately 1:15 p.m. Father Luis Sanchez, accompanied by Evo Morales's lawyer requested access to the Technical Judicial Police (PTJ) cells to speak with the detainees there. At they were waiting for an answer, members of the PTJ aggressively approached Sanchez, and told him to leave, that there had already been too many visitors. As Sanchez attempted to explain the importance of his visit, police officers hit him, grabbed by the belt, and shoved him to the ground. Members of the PTJ and the Cochabamba Prefecture began to restrict access of members of the Permanent Human Rights Assembly to their cells and offices beginning last week. This is the second time Sanchez has been accosted during the present conflict (see January 21st update). During the past year increasing mistreatment and impeded access has characterized the actions of Bolivian Security forces. During 2001 UMOPAR anti-drug police fired a shot at representatives of the Human Rights Ombudsman's Chapare office and impeded their access to the anti-drug base. Permanent Human Rights Assembly national President, Waldo Albarracin received repeated telephone death threats, and members of the armed forced injured Rolando Gutierrez, president of the Eterazama, Chapare Assembly three times. Legal investigations of these incidents have not progressed. This continued deterioration in the treatment afforded human rights monitors and members of the press reflects the "no holds barred" approach adopted by the Bolivian government. CHAPARE BLOCKADES ANNOUNCED- HEAVY MILITARIZATION IN THE REGION Coca growers announced sporadic blockades along the Cochabamba Santa Cruz Highway, beginning on January 25. On that day, there were brief attempts to blockade the road. Union leaders have announced continued blockades to begin today. Once again the military presence in the Chapare region has increased. Luis Cutipa, leader of the Carrasco Tropical Federation denounced that security forces have attempted to arrest him on January 25 and 28. According to Cutipa, the officers did not present any arrest warrant. At this time, coca growers are holding assemblies in Shinahota and Chimore to develop a strategy for the coming week. Today sporadic blockades exist in Bella Vista, Totora, and throughout the Chapare. There is a heavy presence of security forces at checkpoints and strategic areas throughout the Cochabamba Department. Yungas coca growers, the Cochabamba and National Campesino Federation (CSUTCB) and other groups have also announced the possibility of blockades in the coming days. ================================================== For access to past updates and background information please consultthe updates! heading of the English section of our website: www.scbbs-bo.com/ain
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