Accusation of Human Rights Violations prepared by the Concerned Relatives

On April 11, 1978, members of the Concerned Relatives organization delivered an “Accusation of Human Rights Violations by Rev. James Warren Jones” to Peoples Temple headquarters in San Francisco. They also distributed the document to the press, to members of Congress – including Leo Ryan – and to the State Department.

The relatives carefully singled out Jim Jones for attack, avoiding any direct or implied criticism of family members. Additionally, since the U.S. Government had no jurisdiction in Guyana, and since Guyanese officials had not investigated Jones under that country’s laws, the “Accusation” cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as provisions of the Guyana Constitution, as its underpinnings.

The “Accusation” includes a “Summary of Violations,” a Temple document threatening mass suicide, numerous affidavits from members of Concerned Relatives of material supporting the organization’s claims, and communications from Temple members in Jonestown which supported the families’ belief that their loved ones were in trouble.

Accusation of Human Rights, RYMUR 89-4286-II-20 – II-67; also at RYMUR 89-BB-22-d-20 – d-68

1. 1. Accusation of Human Rights Violations by Rev. James Warren Jones Against Our Children and Relatives at the Peoples Temple Jungle Encampment in Guyana, South America, RYMUR 89-4286-II-20 – II-32
   2. Exhibit A to Concerned Relatives Accusation of April 11, 1978 [Letter to Congress from Jonestown resident Pam Moton], RYMUR 89-4286-II-33
   3. Exhibit B to Concerned Relatives Accusation of April 11, 1978 [Affidavit of Yolanda [Yulanda] D. A. Crawford], RYMUR 89-4286-II-34 – II-37 (also at RYMUR 89-4286-FF-1-107a – 107d)
   4. Exhibit C to Concerned Relatives Accusation of April 11, 1978 [Affidavit of Steven A. Katsaris], RYMUR 89-4286-II-38 – II-46
   5. Telegram to Jim Jones from Steven A. Katsaris, Attached to Exhibit C, Affidavit of Steven A. Katsaris (Original), RYMUR 89-4286-II-47
      1. Telegram to Jim Jones from Steven A. Katsaris, Attached to Exhibit C, Affidavit of Steven A. Katsaris (Corrected)
   6. Letter from Maria Katsaris, Attached to Exhibit C, Affidavit of Steven A. Katsaris, RYMUR 89-4286-II-48 – II-55
   7. Exhibit D to Concerned Relatives Accusation of April 11, 1978 [Letter from 15-year-old Jonestown resident Donna Ponts to her grandmother], RYMUR 89-4286-II-56
   8. Exhibit E to Concerned Relatives Accusation of April 11, 1978 [Letter from Concerned Relative Beverly Oliver], RYMUR 89-4286-II-57 – II-58
   9. Attached to Exhibit E, Letter to Beverly Oliver (1), RYMUR 89-4286-II-59
   10. Attached to Exhibit E, Letter to Beverly Oliver (2), RYMUR 89-4286-II-60
   11. Violations in Guyana by Rev. Jim Jones, RYMUR 89-4286-II-61 – II-67