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Bolivian Sectors Rally to Support Morales- Conflict Continues


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.


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