E/CN.4/2000/9 page 55 241. On 30 April 1999, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions concerning the civilian population of the towns of Simití and San Pablo, Bolívar. Since 12 April 1999, the Colombian Army and Air Force and paramilitary groups had reportedly been carrying out military operations in those towns, pursuing guerrillas from the National Liberation Army (ELN) who were allegedly holding the passengers and civilian crew of an Avianca commercial aircraft. The situation was threatening the lives of civilians and causing the displacement of over a thousand persons. 242. Since 13 April 1999, the two towns mentioned above had allegedly been surrounded by paramilitary groups who prohibited the distribution of medication and food to the civilian population. Heavily armed and uniformed paramilitary groups reportedly patrolled the streets of the capital, San Pablo, acting in collaboration with security forces. From 18 to 19 April, Ismael Rincón Sierra, Alfiodys Durán Rodríguez, Ernesto Fernández Botero and three other residents of San Pablo were allegedly tortured and killed by paramilitaries. Other persons are believed to have disappeared. The residents of San Pablo have allegedly been forced to attend meetings of the paramilitaries where they are informed that anyone on a black list, i.e., suspected guerrilla sympathizers, will be killed. They have also reportedly been threated with having to leave San Pablo if they do not make monthly payments to the paramilitaries. According to the information received, paramilitary groups may also be implicated in the killings of Américo N. Armando Mier Urueta and another resident of San Pablo whose bodies were found in Simití. 243. By letter dated 24 August 1999, the Government replied to this urgent appeal. Concerning Ismael Rincón Sierra, Alfiodys Durán Rodríguez and Ernesto Fernández Botero, it indicated that the bodies had been removed from the los Caguises sector by the police inspector of San Pablo on 19 April 1999, and according to the autopsy that was performed, the cause of death was injuries from a short-range weapon, the date of the murder being established as 18 April 1999. The Government indicated that the Office of the Municipal Attorney of San Pablo was unaware of the motives and identity of those responsible. Regarding Mr. Mier Urueta, the Government indicated that it had no knowledge of his killing, as there was no report by the municipal police inspectorate on the matter. Follow-up to previously transmitted communications 244. On 6 June 1990, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government communications received on alleged cases of torture in Colombia. By letter dated 30 January 1998, the Government provided information on the following cases. 245. Emiro Bustamante was reportedly tortured by police officers on 11 February 1989 in San Benito de Abad, Sucre. The Government indicated that the investigation had been halted for lack of sufficient evidence. Orlando Chamorro Medrano was allegedly tortured by members of the Administrative Department of Security (DAS) and of Battalion No. 5 of Corazal, Sucre, on 16 February 1989. The Government pointed out that on 16 October 1997, the Legal Office of the Administrative Department of Security had transmitted a communication indicating that it had no complaints from the victims in its files and that since it was hearing of the case for the first time, it would initiate the necessary inquiries.