Following attacks on left-wing activists by right-wing thugs working in collaboration with the right-wing Prefectura in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Socialist Alternative member Adam Ziemkowski has been arrested by the local police. Adam is charged with ‘sedition and incitement to violence’. Adam, a U.S. citizen, is in Bolivia on an international scholarship studying marginalised and oppressed groups. Bolivian members of the Committee for a Workers’ International have also been threatened by right-wing thugs and in one case threatened with rape. A solidarity campaign is being built in Cochabamba along with a campaign against violence and repression by the right-wing.

Socialist Alternative appeals to all workers’ and youth internationally to rush protest letters to the Bolivian Ambassador to the U.S. and Prefectura in Cochabamba demanding that the charges against Adam Ziemkowski be dropped.

[email protected]
[email protected]
(202) 483-4410

Copies should also be sent to
[email protected] and
[email protected]

Sample e-mail to the Bolivian Ambassador:

Dear Bolivian Ambassador to the United States,

I am writing to protest in the strongest possible terms the recent violent assault and arrest on false charges against Adam Ziemkowski, a U.S. citizen. Adam is a Seattle University graduate studying in Cochabamba on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Adam Ziemkowski has been charged with sedition and inciting violence despite carrying leaflets when arrested from a group, which he was using for his research, which were protesting against violence and repression in Cochabamba.

The arrest of Adam Ziemkowski and his threatened prosecution is a blatant attack on democratic and human rights. If continued it will reflect extremely negatively on the Bolivian authorities. We intend to take this matter further and expose these undemocratic measures internationally unless these charges are dismissed. We have organized protests at Bolivian consulates throughout the U.S. and around the world. We will continue and further stepped up these protests, including contacting the mass media, until all charges are dropped and the Bolivian government takes clear steps to stop the violent activities of right-wing thugs trying to suppress left-wing activists in Cochabamba.

We therefore urge you to immediately communicate this to all the appropriate bodies within the Bolivian government, and explain to them the pressing need for charges against Adam Ziemkowski to be dropped and allow him to continue his research in Bolivia in a democratic and free manner. Further, it is vital they take concrete steps to halt the violent attacks of right-wing thugs in Cochabamba.

Yours,

———–

Protest letters should be e-mailed or faxed to Manfred Reyes Villa at the following e-mail:

[email protected] or
faxed to +591 4459100

Suggested Protest Letter in Spanish

A Manfred Reyes Villa
Gobierno Departamental de Cochabamba
Plaza 14 de Septiembre Acera Norte 243
Cochabamba
Bolivia

Distinguido Señor,

Nos dirigimos a Usted para protestar en los más vigorosos términos por el arresto y detención del Don Adam Ziemkowski, un ciudadano norteamericano. El Señor Ziemkowski está con una beca internacional de los EE.UU. en Bolivia, conocida como ‘Fulbright Scholar’.

Como Usted sabe, él ha sido acusado de sedición y de incitar a la violencia, a pesar de que cuando fue arrestado tenía en su poder panfletos de un grupo que estaba protestando contra la violencia y la represión en Cochabamba, material que el Señor Ziemkowski estaba usando para su investigación académica.

El arresto del Sr. Ziemkowski y la amenaza de acusación en su contra es un ataque flagrante contra los derechos democráticos y humanos. De continuar se reflejará de manera extremadamente negativa contra Usted mismo y las autoridades bolivianas. Nosotros estamos decidimos a continuar acciones sobre este asunto y denunciar internacionalmente estas medidas anti-democráticas a menos que estos cargos sean descartados.

Por lo tanto le solicitamos encarecidamente descartar todos los cargos contra el Sr. Ziemkowski y permitirle continuar su investigación en Bolivia de una manera democrática y libre.

Reciba nuestros atentos saludos,

Suggested Protest Letter in English

To Manfred Reyes Villa
Gobierno Departemental de Cochabamba
Plaza 14 de Septembrre Acreca Norte 243
Cochabamba
Bolivia

Dear Sir,

We are writing to protest in the strongest possible terms at the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Adam Ziemkowski, a USA national. Mr. Ziemkowski is currently on a US international scholarship in Bolivia, a ‘Fulbright Scholar’.

As you know he has been charged with sedition and inciting violence despite carrying leaflets when arrested from a group, which he was using for his research, which were protesting against violence and repression in Cochabamba.

The arrest of Mr. Ziemkowski, and his threatened prosecution is a blatant attack on democratic and human rights. If continued it will reflect extremely negatively on yourself and the Bolivian authorities. We intend to take this matter further and expose these undemocratic measures internationally unless these charges are dismissed.

We therefore urge you to dismiss all charges against Mr. Ziemkowski and allow him to continue his research in Bolivia in a democratic and free manner.

Yours,