(WiPC/IFEX) – On 29 August 2001, General José Francisco Gallardo Rodríguez was moved from his cell to a punishment cell measuring eight square metres. At first, the Neza-Bordo prison authorities stated that the move was made in the interests of the general’s own security after an alleged contretemps with a fellow prisoner. This story was […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 29 August 2001, General José Francisco Gallardo Rodríguez was moved from his cell to a punishment cell measuring eight square metres. At first, the Neza-Bordo prison authorities stated that the move was made in the interests of the general’s own security after an alleged contretemps with a fellow prisoner. This story was later changed by the prison director, who claimed that the transfer had in fact taken place to accommodate more prisoners. However, Gallardo himself interprets the move as an attempt to intimidate him since he now finds himself in highly unsanitary conditions and in close proximity to highly dangerous prisoners.
The timing of the switch also arouses suspicions regarding the motives of the prison authorities since it comes a day after the appearance of an article in the newspaper “El Universal” which alleged that the Gallardo family had been the subject of telephone tapping carried out by the National Defence Secretariat.
Background Information
General Gallardo was arrested in 1993 and eventually sentenced to twenty-eight years’ imprisonment for alleged embezzlement of army property and profiteering. However, it is believed that the real reason for his incarceration is his publication of a thesis calling for a military ombudsman. In October 1996, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organisation of American States ruled that he had been imprisoned “without reason and legal justification” and recommended that he be released immediately. Gallardo has been given leave by the Second Colegiate Tribunal to appeal against the non-compliance by the Mexican authorities with the IACHR recommendation. As a result, President Fox, along with the National Defence Secretariat, the military procurator and other state officials will have to produce evidence justifying their reasons for not releasing the general.
Faxes sent by International PEN to the offices of President Vicente Fox and Interior Minister Santiago Creel Miranda on 30 August requesting that General Gallardo be returned to his original cell have gone unanswered.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for General Gallardo’s immediate release, in line with the IACHR recommendation or, failing that, that he at least be returned to his original cell
Appeals To
Lic. Vicente Fox Quesada
Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos,
Secretaria Particular de Vicente Fox
Fax : +52 5 5169537
E-mail: radio@presidencia.gob.mx, vicente@fox2000.org.mx, presidencia@gob.mxLic. Santiago Creel Miranda
Secretario de Gobernacion
Bucareli 99 piso
Col. Juarez
Mexico, D.F. 06699
Fax: +52 5 7032171
E-mail: santiagocreel@compuserve.com, segob@rtn.net.mxPlease copy appeals to the source if possible.
