180. On 30 August 2001, the Special Representative transmitted an urgent appeal concerning Mr. Fernando Rafael Bancés Escobar, an activist of the organization “Colectivo Gay-Lésbico” and a member of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca. On 19 August 2001, Mr. Fernando Rafael Bancés Escobar and his friends Juan Luis Telon and Franz Alvaro were reportedly intercepted by a national civil police officer who asked him the reasons why they were laughing at him. The policeman backed up by other officers reportedly threw Mr. Fernando Rafael Bancés Escobar on the ground and hit him. Afterwards, they checked his identity card and left. According to the information received, these facts were reported to the Oficina de Responsibilidad Profesional of the National Civil Police and Mr. Bancés Escobar was examined by a forensic doctor, who certified his injuries. It was further reported that no action was taken by the police to identify those responsible for the violation. This incident was allegedly connected with the activities of Mr. Fernando Rafael Bancés Escobar for the Colectivo Gay-Lésbico and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca party.

link to full text of the Report: http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/e816b20139e397e6c1256b9e00477e18