Pierina Nochetti, a lesbian human rights activist, faces criminal charges for allegedly painting graffiti protesting the disappearance of a young trans man in Necochea, Argentina. She can be sentenced up to four years in prison. We call the prosecutor to drop the charges since they appear to be an unnecessary and disproportionate restriction on the right to freedom of expression.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: October 30, 2024
Take action:
- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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contact information:
Mr José Luis Cipolletti,
Head prosecutor, UFI n°1,
Departmental Necochea Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Province of Buenos Aires
Avenida 75, 371, Necochea, PBA, CP: 7630
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Embassy of Argentina in the United States
Ambassador Jorge Argüellos
1600 New Hampshire Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20009
Email: [email protected]
sample letter:
Dear Head Prosecutor Jose Luis Cipolletti / Your Excellency,
I am concerned over the prosecution of Pierina Nochetti for allegedly painting graffiti on a public wall with the question “Where is Tehuel?”. This question has been a wide call of a collective claim for justice in the disappearance of a 21-year-old trans man when he was on his way to a job interview in 2021.
Pierina is an artist, educator, mother, the main provider for her family, and an employee of the local government, where she had already faced administrative reprisals for her activism during the 2022 Pride Parade, including salary reduction. I fear she is targeted for her activism on LGBTI+ rights, as well as for her gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Pierina is at greater risk of discrimination due to her identity.
I call on you to drop the charge of “aggravated damage” against Pierina Nochetti as it appears to be an unnecessary and disproportionate restriction on the right to freedom of expression. Imposing such charges on human rights defenders for freely expressing themselves sends a chilling message that could further curtail the right to protest peacefully.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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