URGENT ACTION
ARGENTINA: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S CONTINUED CRIMINALISATION 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 and his oral hearing is set for October.

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

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 on August 18th, 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 or supported the social mobilisations resulting from the recent constitutional reform in the province, including human rights defender Alberto Nallar. 
 
Alberto Nallar was detained on July 13, 2023, and remained under house arrest for 37 days. I am deeply alarmed that Amnesty International keeps receiving reports about imminent arrest warrants against other defenders. It has become public that at least seven lawyers who allegedly supported the protesters will also face criminal charges in the coming days. 

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 and stop criminalisation of other human rights defenders as it could imply a direct restriction on their right to social protest. 

Best regards to you,

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, including arbitrary detentions and the 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, liberty, personal integrity, peaceful assembly, to defend human rights and freedom of expression, recognized and protected by international law.  
Protests by communities, social and human rights organizations continue in the Province of Jujuy, as the new constitution has not been reversed. Amnesty International has documented that victims of the state repression avoid filing complaints fearing prosecution for their participation in the protests. At the same time, the organisation documented a significant lack of proactivity on the part of the authorities in investigating possible abuses committed by the security forces during the demonstrations.
Alberto Nallar is a lawyer and human rights defender; he unfailingly supported the popular mobilisation 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 criminalise 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 December 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: Argentina: Defensor de Derechos Humanos Detenido por Protestar - Amnistía Internacional (amnesty.org)

Additional TARGETS

Governor of the Province of Jujuy 
Mr. Gerardo Morales
e-mail: 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    
Salutation: Your Excellency