AIDS Worker Escapes Kidnapping

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001853

SIPDIS

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EAID GT
SUBJECT: AIDS Worker Escapes Kidnapping



1. (U) Summary: Violence against human rights workers has
escalated in recent months and a group working to educate street
workers on the prevention and danger of HIV/AIDS has been the
most recent victim of such assaults. There have been several
threats and acts of intimidation against workers of the
Organization to Support Integrated Sexuality Against AIDS
(OASIS) as a result of stigmatization and discrimination against
those of diverse sexual orientation. End Summary.

Background
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2. (U) An estimated 67,000 people (out of a population of 12
million) in Guatemala are HIV positive, and approximately 5,619
people have AIDS. Seventy-three percent of these are male. The
communities most at risk are homosexual males (11.5 percent),
followed by prostitutes (4.7 percent).


3. (U) OASIS is one of the only human rights groups in
Guatemala working with homosexual men and prostitutes in order
to curb HIV/AIDS infection rates among these high-risk
communities. The organization originated ten years ago as part
of the Association for Integrated Health, and educates
homosexual men on prevention issues associated with the HIV
virus. Approximately 100 people attend weekly meetings
concerning HIV prevention, mental health, self-esteem and other
health related topics. Moreover, OASIS works with about 1,000
prostitutes every month to prevent contraction of HIV and sells
condoms to them for a price of ten cents, about half the street
value of a condom.

OASIS Director Receives Threats
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4. (U) On July 10, POL Intern and ECON Intern met with Jorge
Lopez Sologaistoa, Executive Director of OASIS, who has become
another victim of the recent wave of human rights abuses
afflicting Guatemala. He recounted that on the morning of May
13, 2003, two unarmed men kidnapped Lopez while he was walking
to his car. One of the assailants forced him into the back of
the car, blindfolded him and restrained his head to constrict
his sight while the other man drove away from the scene. Lopez
escaped during momentary confusion when his kidnappers nearly
collided with another car. They did not pursue him on foot.
Lopez has also received repeated threats over the telephone.


5. (U) Lopez wrote a full page complaint of the incident which
appeared in el Periodico on June 7. The complaint advocated
human rights for all people regardless of economic condition,
gender, or sexual orientation. Seventy-five other organizations
from seventeen countries signed onto the complaint expressing
their solidarity with OASIS's cause.


6. (U) Lopez noted that acts of intimidation and other human
rights violations are frequent in his line of work. He contends
that low ranking police officers are believed to be involved in
committing these acts. He also believes that further acts of
aggression will occur, but that he will continue his work and
will not allow these actions to stop him from achieving the
goals and objectives of his organization.

Comment
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7. (U) The kidnapping attempt against Lopez, and the frequent
attacks against homosexuals, occur in a context of growing
violent crime affecting all Guatemalans, and an increase in
threats against human rights workers specifically. Homosexuals
and those with AIDS are targets of violent discrimination due to
lack of education and awareness in some sectors of society. We
will continue to monitor and report on this situation.