Bolivia: Update to BOL35905.E of 17 November 2000 about the treatment of members and former political appointees of the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario, MNR) by the current government and civilians during and since the gas war and the forced resignation of President Sanchez de Lozada (2003 - October 2004)

Information about the treatment of members and former political appointees of the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario, MNR) by the current government was limited among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The only references to the treatment of an MNR member found among the source consulted are related to exiled former President and MNR leader Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and whether he should stand trial for malfeasance related to the October 2003 civil unrest (FBIS Report 19 Aug. 2004; ibid. 16 Sept. 2004; ibid. 12 Oct. 2004) that led to the deaths of up to 80 persons (BBC 14 Oct. 2004). In August 2004, the Santa Cruz-based newspaper El Deber reported that the MNR National Executive Committee had agreed to support the malfeasance trial of former President Sanchez de Lozada and his cabinet (FBIS Report 19 Aug. 2004). According to an unnamed independent deputy quoted by the United Press International (UPI), the MNR agreed to seek Sanchez de Lozada's prosecution in order to spare remaining MNR party members from criminal prosecution (10 Aug. 2004).

In September 2004, the La Paz-based La Razon newspaper noted that after MNR party leader Javier Campero Paz resigned from the party, he stated that some "reactionary" MNR members were trying to obstruct Sanchez de Lozada's malfeasance trial (FBIS Report 16 Sept. 2004). After his resignation, Campero reportedly stated that Sanchez de Lozada continued to exert influence over the party (ibid.).

In October 2004, the La Prensa newspaper, based in La Paz, reported that the congressional Constitutional Committee recommended that "Sanchez de Lozada and his two cabinet ministers Yerko Kukoc and Carlos Sanchez Berzain" stand trial for malfeasance (ibid. 12 Oct. 2004). According to the BBC, after a 12-hour debate, a large majority of Congress members voted to put Sanchez de Lozada and 15 members of his cabinet on trial for the violent events of October 2003 (14 Oct. 2004). Moreover, if the case proceeds, Sanchez de Lozada would be "the first democratically elected president of Bolivia to be put in the dock" (BBC 14 Oct. 2004).

With regard to the treatment of MNR members by civilians, the only incident reported among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate occurred in February 2003 (ICG 6 July 2004, 4; Peace & Conflict Monitor 20 Sept. 2004). According to international human rights sources, during a violent February 2003 confrontation between the police and the army in La Paz, an angry mob reportedly attacked the offices of traditional political parties such as the MNR (ibid.; ICG 6 July 2004, 4).

The International Crisis Group (ICG) also reported in July 2004 that the public in Bolivia is generally discouraged with party politics due to issues such as corruption and patronage, and surveys demonstrate a "record low" support for all political parties (ibid., 9). Moreover, politicians are commonly viewed as "selfish, focused on their survival and self-enrichment at the expense of public values and responsible governance" (ibid., 9-10). In addition, the ICG report mentions that party leaders are notorious for "spreading unfounded rumours" to the press, as well as "engaging in name-calling, accusations, and insults" (ibid., 10).

For a description and summary of the political situation and current government, please consult the United States Department of State's August 2004 "Background Note: Bolivia" at .

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

BBC. 14 October 2004. "Bolivia Backs Trial for Ex-Leader." [Accessed 22 Oct. 2004]

FBIS Report. 12 October 2004. "Congressional Committee Recommends Malfeasance Trials." (FBIS-LAT-2004-1012 13 Oct. 2004/WNC)
_____. 16 September 2004. "National Leader Resigns." (FBIS-LAT-2004-0916 17 Sept. 2004/WNC)
_____. 19 August 2004. "MNR Reaches Internal Consensus." (FBIS-LAT-2004-0819 23 Aug. 2004/WNC)

International Crisis Group (ICG). 6 July 2004. "Bolivia's Divisions: Too Deep to Heal?" [Accessed 20 Oct. 2004]

Peace & Conflict Monitor [San Jose, Costa Rica]. 20 September 2004. Cletus Gregor Barle and Caty Luz Zarate. "A Victory for Democracy: Bolivia." [Accessed 14 Oct. 2004]

United Press International (UPI). 10 August 2004. Martin Arostegui. "Business Apprehensive of Bolivian Gas Law." [Accessed 14 Oct. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International, Comision Andina de Juristas (CAJ), Country Reports 2003, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Resource Center of the Americas, United Kingdom Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), World News Connection/Dialog.

Publications: Europa World Year Book 2004, Keesing's Record of World Events, Latin American Weekly Report [London].