URGENT ACTION
ARGENTINA: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER CRIMINALISED FOR PROTESTING 
Alberto Nallar, a human rights lawyer who took an active role during the protests in Jujuy Province that began on June 15, was released on August 18th, after spending more than one month under house arrest. He is still being charged with the crime of sedition. 

TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

To the General Prosecutor of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Province of Jujuy 
Dr. Sergio Lello Sánchez 
Email: slello@mpajujuy.gob.ar  
 
Dear Mr. Attorney General, 
I am writing to express my deep concern about the continued criminalization of the human rights lawyer Alberto Nallar. Although he was released, the charges against him for protesting remain under investigation. Although he was released, he still faces criminal charges for pacifically participating in a protest. 
As you know, in the Province of Jujuy, between July 11 and 13, at least 40 arrests and raids were carried out in private homes in Humahuaca and San Salvador. Among those detained were teachers, university students and human rights defenders who participated in the social mobilizations resulting from the recent constitutional reform in the province.  
In this context, Alberto Nallar was arrested on July 13, 2023, and remained under house arrest for 37 days. He is still being charged with sedition for his support of the demonstrators against the constitutional reform and his participation in the protests. In addition, Amnesty International has received reports of arrest warrants against at least seven other lawyers who allegedly supported the protesters. 
Given the international obligations of the Argentine State to respect, protect and guarantee the freedom of expression and demonstration of all persons, I request that you drop the charges against Alberto Nallar that could imply a direct restriction on the right to social protest. 

Best regards to you, 

[NAME]

Additional information

On June 16, 2023, the Constituent Convention of the Province of Jujuy, Argentina, carried out a constitutional reform without participation or publicity, and that could threaten the collective rights and the cosmovision of the Indigenous Peoples. 

As a result of the protests that followed the approval of the partial reform of the Provincial Constitution, violent police repression took place in the province of Jujuy, with serious irregularities and episodes of excessive use of force by state agents. The response of the security forces of the province of Jujuy to the demonstrations generated significant violations of the rights to life and personal integrity, recognized and protected by local and international law.  
Protests by communities, social and human rights organizations continue in the Province of Jujuy, as the Constituent Convention has not reversed the recent constitutional reform. Between July 12 and 13, arrest warrants and arbitrary raids were issued and began to be executed against teachers, university students and human rights defenders. Since the protests began, at least 130 people and human rights defenders have been arrested. 
Alberto Nallar is a lawyer and human rights defender; he unfailingly supported the popular mobilization against constitutional reform and provided support and legal assistance to people detained during the mobilizations and their families. The crime of sedition of which he is accused is a criminal provision frequently used in the country to criminalize people who exercise the right to social protest, along with obstructing public roads, incitement to commit crimes or resisting authority, among other actions.

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: Spanish
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 06 October 2023.
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: Alberto Nallar (he, him)

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr13/7016/2023/en/

Additional TARGETS

Governor of the Province of Jujuy
Mr. Gerardo Morales
Email: privadadegobjujuy@gmail.com
Twitter: @GerardoMorales 

Mr Javier Esteban Figueroa  
Embassy of the Argentine Republic   
65 Brook Street, London, W1K 4AH   
Fax: 020 7318 1301   
Emails: info@argentine-embassy-uk.org