PUBLIC: AI Index: AMR 34/008/2008

Fear for safety: Aída del Rosario López Cordero (f), human rights defender

Human rights defender Aída del Rosario López Cordero, who has been involved in attempts to bring two police officers to justice for the rape of an indigenous woman, has been threatened and intimidated since the trial of one of the police officers began on 18 February.

Aída del Rosario López Cordero is the coordinator of the Women's Defence Office (Defensoría de la Mujer) at the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office (Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos) in Quiché department. Since February 2007 she has been publicising the case of indigenous woman Juana Méndez, who was raped while in police custody in 2005. Two police officers were charged with aggravated rape and abuse of authority in 2007. One of the officers has been arrested, but the other is on the run.   more »

We've just received this request to publicise an urgent action from Banana Link:

Here's the urgent action from Amnesty International for Guillermo Chen whose case we mentioned on this blog last Friday:

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Human Rights First are also running a defender alert for Guillermo Chen which you can read and respond to here.

We have just received news that Guillermo Chen, Director of Fundacion Nueva Esperanza was attacked in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. On 5th March at around 9pm unknown people shot around six times at the entrance to Guillermo's home. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Fundacion Nueva Esperanza is involved in the process of legal hearings in Madrid, Spain, where many of the victims of the genocide in Guatemala have been giving testimony. We've been following its progress on this blog- more here.

Back in 2006 Guillermo Chen came to the UK to talk about the work of Fundacion Nueva Esperanza. You can see the presentation he gave below and read the English translation here. We would like to join in condemning this heinous attack against a person fighting for human rights in Guatemala. Below is a press release from Fundacion Rigoberta Menchu Tum:

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Background

Part 1: Guillermo Chen talking about the work of Fundacion Nueva Esperanza



Part 2: Guillermo Chen talking about the work of Fundacion Nueva Esperanza

You can read the English version here.

PÚBLICO  Índice AI: AMR 34/002/2008  (7 de febrero de 2008)

Más información (actualización núm. 3) sobre AU 238/05 (AMR 34/038/2005, del 14 de septiembre de 2005) y sus actualizaciones (AMR 34/001/2006, del 13 de enero de 2006, y AMR 34/009/2006, del 16 de marzo de 2006) – Temor por la seguridad / amenazas de muerte


Fredy Peccerelli, director de la Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala (FAFG), su hermano Gianni Peccerelli, su hermana Bianka Peccerelli Monterroso y su cuñado Omar Bertoni Girón continúan en grave peligro tras haber recibido una nueva amenaza de muerte.

El 2 de febrero, Omar Bertoni Girón recibió en su teléfono móvil un mensaje de texto que decía: “Yo > Les van a quitar la seguridad y mueren Omar, Gianni, Bianca y Fredy hijos de puta”.

La amenaza se recibió el mismo día que el periódico Siglo XXI publicaba un artículo en el que informaba de una declaración del viceministro de Gobernación que anunciaba una revisión general del personal policial asignado a funciones de protección personal.

En 2002, la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos había pedido que se adoptaran medidas cautelares para proteger a estas cuatro personas, así como a otros miembros de la FAFG. En 2006, la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos repitió esta petición. Sin embargo, sigue existiendo preocupación en torno a la eficacia de la protección proporcionada. En enero de 2006, la FAFG recibió una nueva amenaza poco después de que se redujeran las medidas de protección (véanse AU 238/05, AMR 34/001/2006, del 13 de enero de 2006, y sus actualizaciones).

El 2 de febrero de 2008, otro artículo publicado en Siglo XXI informó de que, este mismo mes, iban a prestar testimonio en España, ante un juez español, varios testigos del genocidio guatemalteco de la década de 1980. Fredy Peccerelli y otros miembros de la FAFG han recibido numerosas amenazas de muerte a causa de su trabajo de exhumación de fosas comunes en las que se encuentran enterradas las personas que murieron a manos del ejército guatemalteco y sus aliados civiles durante el conflicto armado (1960-1996).

ACCIONES RECOMENDADAS: Envíen llamamientos para que lleguen lo más rápidamente posible, en español o en su propio idioma:

- expresando honda preocupación por la seguridad de Fredy Peccerelli, Omar Bertoni Girón, Bianka Peccerelli y Gianni Peccerelli, tras la amenaza de muerte recibida el 2 de febrero de 2008;
- instando a las autoridades a tomar medidas inmediatas para asignar protección efectiva a estas cuatro personas, de acuerdo con las peticiones formuladas por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos y la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en 2002 y 2006, respectivamente;
- pidiendo que se lleve a cabo una investigación inmediata y exhaustiva sobre las amenazas, que se identifique a los responsables y que se los lleve ante la justicia;
- recordando a las autoridades que los defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos tienen derecho a llevar a cabo sus actividades sin restricciones y sin temor a represalias, conforme establece la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho y el Deber de los Individuos, los Grupos y las Instituciones de Promover y Proteger los Derechos Humanos y las Libertades Fundamentales Universalmente Reconocidos.

LLAMAMIENTOS A:
 
Carlos Vinicio Gómez Ruiz
Ministro de Gobernación
6a.Avenida 4-64, zona 4, nivel 2, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala    
Fax:        + 502 2413 8658
Tratamiento:    Señor Ministro

Rosa María Salazar Marroquín
Jefa de la Fiscalía de Sección de Derechos Humanos, Ministerio Público
10a calle 10-14, Zona 1, Edificio UP, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax:         + 502 2230 6033 (digan: “por favor, tono de fax” – llamen sólo en horas de oficina)
Tratamiento:    Estimada Fiscal

COPIA A:

Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala (FAFG)
Avenida Simón Cañas 10-64, Zona 2, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax:     + 502 2254 0882
+ 502 2288 7297
+ 502 2288 7302
(si responde una voz, digan: “por favor, tono de fax”; si responde un contestador automático, pulsen “enviar” después de la señal)

y a la representación diplomática de Guatemala acreditada en su país.

ENVÍEN SUS LLAMAMIENTOS INMEDIATAMENTE. Consulten con el Secretariado Internacional o con la oficina de su Sección si van a enviarlos después del 20 de marzo de 2008.

En la madrugada del 8 de diciembre, Felipe Álvarez, miembro del Consejo Comunitario de Desarrollo (COCODES) de la comunidad de Microparcelamiento El Naranjo, salió de su casa en El Naranjo para dirigirse en bicicleta a la granja en la que trabajaba. Su cadáver fue hallado por agentes de policía hacia las 5:45 de la mañana de ese mismo día en una cuneta, a unos 10 kilómetros al sur de su casa, de camino a la granja. Tenía un disparo en la cabeza y tres en la espalda.   more »

Written by Kimberly Kern

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“On September 23rd Marco Tulio Portela Ramirez, a union organizer, was brutally gunned down outside his home as he prepared to go to work at the Bandegua banana plantation, a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce.”

Do you eat Del Monte bananas? Do you notice where your bananas come from? Are you willing to take a moment of your time to help the workers whose labor sends over a million tons of bananas to the Unites States each year?

The production of bananas in Guatemala takes place in large monoculture plantations where labor conditions are very poor. Workers receive low wages which often don’t cover the basic needs of their families and endure long 12-hour work days and exposure to dangerous chemicals. Yet employees lack the freedom to organize independent trade unions and negotiate agreements with their employers in order to improve these working conditions. Those who have tried to organize have come under attack from both transnational banana companies and independent banana producers. Illegal firings, plantation closures, temporary contracts, civil law suits, trumped up criminal charges, and violence targeting union leaders have all become commonplace. So far in 2007, four unionists have been assassinated in Guatemala and no charges have been made against the guilty parties.

According to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the Guatemalan Constitution recognizes workers' freedom of association and states that all workers retain the right to form and join trade unions. Workers have the right to organize and bargain collectively under the condition that 25% of the total workers are in agreement and possess the right to strike provided that 50% support the strike.

The Constitution also provides for a judicial system to rule specifically on violations of the Labor Code. Unfortunately, the labor courts in Guatemala are overrun with backlogged cases that can drag on for years. Even when they issue rulings, the courts have insufficient power to ensure that their decisions are respected. Consequently, employers tend to dismiss the Labor Code and are rarely held accountable for illegal firings, negligent work conditions and violence against union organizers.

Del Monte, the third largest producer of bananas, is owned and controlled by the Chilean-based IAT Group (their capital is held in the United Arab Emirates) and maintains its headquarters in Miami, Florida. As of 2005, Del Monte controlled about 15% of the world banana trade. Along with the other major banana producers like Chiquita and Dole, they yield a great deal of power in Latin America and can sell bananas to the northern markets at an extremely cut-rate price. According to a French research institute CIRAD, “only 12% of the final retail price stays in the producing countries. An even smaller proportion goes to small farmers (5-7%) or to plantation workers (1-3%)”. The rest is profit in the pockets of the CEO’s and investors.

Bandegua, the Guatemalan subsidiary of Del Monte, is one of many companies with a long history of targeting trade unionists. In 1999, Bandegua dismissed 900 workers who were involved in the Banana Workers Union of Izabal (SITRABI), the oldest and one of the most powerful unions in Guatemala. On October 13th of that year, a heavily armed attack was led against the union organizers who were planning a massive protest in response to the dismissals. Consequently, seven members of SITRABI fled to the US to defend their lives and pursued a case against Bandegua. As a response, the US government placed Guatemala's trade benefits on probation until Guatemalan courts convicted the criminals. Unfortunately, due to the sustained violence in Guatemala, the seven organizers continue to live in the US.

On March 7th, 2000, The International Union of Food and Agriculture Workers (UIF) signed an agreement with Del Monte Fresh Produce, which set up local negotiations between Bandegua and SITRABI and committed the company to respecting minimum labor standards. The new agreement ensured that all 900 workers who were illegally fired be allowed to return to their jobs and explicitly stated that all workers had the right to join SITRABI.

Although all parties signed the agreement, acts of violence and intimidation continue. In November of 2006, Cesar Humberto Guerra, the Labor and Conflicts Secretary of SITRABI, was followed by three armed men while driving through the Chicasaw banana plantations in a vehicle owned by SITRABI. The men fired their guns in the air and threw a stone at the windshield of the car.

In July, 2007, military officers forcibly entered a SITRABI union meeting demanding to know the identity of the union’s leaders, the size of its membership and the nature of its occupation. In response, SITRABI filed complaints with the Public Ministry and the Ministry of Defense in Guatemala, who promised there would be an “internal investigation.” According to a statement by the Solidarity Center, “Military officers had been disciplined by the Ministry of Defense in response to SITRABI complaints about the unlawful entry.”

Five days later, on the morning of September 23, Marco Tulio Portela Ramirez was brutally gunned down in front of his house by armed masked men carrying high caliber weapons as he prepared to go to work at the Bandegua banana plantation. Marco was the Secretary of Culture and Sport at SITRABI and his brother Noé Ramirez is the General Secretary. According to STITCH, a nationwide group of women organizing for social justice, SITRABI strongly believes that this killing is directly related to their fight to end the intimidation and harassment of the union.

In his statement on September 30th, Noé Ramirez declared, “At the wake and burial of my brother’s mortal remains, I saw how hundreds of workers who were there with us cried at the loss of a fellow unionist, but also how we all committed ourselves to continue forward with our struggle, refusing to be silenced, because we are not alone: we are supported by allies all over the world….I would like to ask you all to keep pressuring the government and the rest of the Guatemalan authorities so that they will immediately investigate and solve Marco Tulio’s murder, and punish both the material and intellectual perpetrators of this crime and their accomplices.”

In response to this assassination, Solidarity Center Executive Director Ellie Larson said, “The systematic attacks on SITRABI constitute backsliding on worker rights enforcement in Guatemala. No worker should lose his life for exercising a fundamental right to participate in a union. Together we must break down the wall of impunity and rebuild respect for worker and human rights.”

Please take a moment of your time to contact the Guatemalan Ambassador in the United States and urge the Guatemalan government to investigate this case and bring those responsible to justice. You can mail this sample letter from STITCH or write one of your own to ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org.

Ambassador Jose Guillermo Castillo,
2220 R Street, NW
Washington , DC 20008
Tel:(202) 745 4952
Fax:(202) 745 1908
ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org

Dear Ambassador Guillermo Castillo,

I am writing to ask your government to take strong and decisive action to stop the violence against unionists in Guatemala. The recent assassination of SITRABI Executive Committee Member, Marco Tulio Portela Ramirez on Sunday, September 23 is a stark reminder of the incredible danger workers face when trying to exercise their right to organize for better wages and more humane conditions in their work places.  I urge your government to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the murderers of Mr. Ramirez and other trade unionist in Guatemala, including Mr. Pedro Zamora of the port workers union.

As you may recall, the SITRABI union leadership was violently intimidated in 1999 and forced to leave their country. Their case became an important test case on impunity for the U.S. government.

The government of Guatemala must also publicly condemn the violence against Guatemalan trade unions.

In addition, it is vital that the Guatemalan government take responsibility for the safety of the remaining leaders of SITRABI and ensure that they are protected from all violence and intimidation. The Guatemalan government must protect those that organize for basic their human rights. I will be monitoring the news as well as following updates from labor rights organizations to ensure that this case is taken seriously and that labor unions are protected throughout Guatemala.

Sincerely,

Your name

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Kimberly Kern (Austin, TX) lives in Guatemala and works with the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA). She can be reached at kimika [at] riseup.net

At noon on Monday May 7, 2007, Project Counselling Service (PCS) was attacked in Guatemala City.  What at first appeared to be a common crime – the robbery of a vehicle and cash on 3rd Avenue between 32nd and 33rd Street in Zone 3 – has other characteristics that do not fit the usual operational pattern of these kinds of crimes.

The truck that was stolen had Mission International license plates (a 2003 Toyota Hilux, plate # MI93BBG), an extremely unusual target for common criminals.  Further, the two heavily armed men detained the PCS staff member in the truck and assaulted him, physically, verbally and sexually.

We are particularly concerned about the sexual assault, as an attack against the physical integrity of our colleague.  It also appears to be intended to send a message to intimidate PCS, particularly significant since the assault occurred during an International Seminar on sexual violence being carried out by PCS, Sharing Collective Memory: Psychosocial Accompaniment and Integral Justice for Women Victims of Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict.  It is of great concern that the assault may have political content related to our work and that of our Guatemalan counterparts, who have also recently suffered numerous robberies and assaults.

PCS is an international organization dedicated to challenging impunity and seeking justice for human rights violations perpetrated during conflict and post-conflict periods in Latin America, including Guatemala.  PCS has emphasized the need to make visible the issue of sexual violence in these contexts.

At the same time, PCS is an active participant in the International NGO Forum (FONGI), and is a member of its Board of Directors.  We note that this attack has occurred as part of a wave of attacks against other member organizations of FONGI.  PCS is the fourth member to be attacked in the last month, in three separate incidents.

PCS urges the Guatemalan authorities to immediately undertake an effective investigation to identify the attackers and reveal their true motivation for this serious aggression, including the sexual assault.

We also urgently request the support of the international community.  Please urge the Guatemalan authorities to take immediate, responsible and serious action on this incident, as well as the ongoing series of attacks and intimidation against national and international human rights defenders, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

PCS requests your urgent intervention before such aggressions, urging the authorities to guarantee the safety of human rights defenders working in Guatemala, sending letters to:
 

Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala
Lic. Oscar Berger Perdomo
E-mail: oberger@presidencia.gob.gt  varroyave@presidencia.gob.gt mgarcia@presidencia.gob.gt
Fax: 502-22383579

Vicepresidente de Guatemala
Lic. Eduardo Stein
Fax: 502-22383579

Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Guatemala
Sr. Gert Rosenthal Koenigsberger
Fax: 502-24100000

Ministra de Gobernacion de Guatemala
Sra. Adela de Torrtebiarte
E-mail: gobernacion@mingob.gob.gt

Fiscal General, Jefe del Ministerio Publico de Guatemala
Lic. Juan Luis Florido ­
E-mail: fiscalgeneral@mp.lex.gob.gt
Fax: 502-22512218

Procurador de Derechos Humanos de Guatemala
Dr. Sergio Fernando Morales Alvarado
E-mail: opdhg@intelnet.net.gt
Fax: 502-77755475

Juez de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos – CIDH
Dr. Diego Garci­a
E-mail: corteidh@corteidh.or.cr diego@cajpe.org.pe
Fax: 506-2340584

Director Ejecutivo del Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos – IIDH
Dr. Roberto Cuellar
E-mail: instituto@iidh.ed.cr
Fax: 506-2340955

and copying them to: Diana Avila, PCS Executive Director: diana [at] pcsperu.org

and Samantha Sams, Central America and Mexico Program Coordinator: pcscoordinacion [at] itelgua.gt

Fear for safety / Death threats

GUATEMALA Edgar Herber Hernández Figueroa (m)
Mónica Victoria Teleguario Xitay (f)
Paula Barrios (f),
David Dávila (m),
Oswaldo Samayoa (m), of the Guatemalan Institute for Comparative Studies in Criminal Sciences (Instituto de Estudios Comparados en CienciasPenales de Guatemala, ICCPG)

Five members of staff of the ICCPG have been harassed and received death threats in recent weeks in an apparent attempt to dissuade them from investigating cases of killings and rapes allegedly committed by police officers. Amnesty International fears that their lives may be at risk.

On 25 April Mónica Teleguario Xitay, an ICCPG lawyer was intercepted by unknown assailants in a black jeep. The assailants drove their car close to her car, hitting it mildly in a threatening and hostile manner and then overtook her. A short time later, the jeep stopped in front of her and another car appeared behind, also stopping and effectively trapping her. Four armed men wearing balaclavas and one holding a baseball bat got out of the pick-up truck and forced her to get out of her car. One of the men told her that they knew about the work being done by the ICCPG and wanted to know where she had been. Monica Teleguario Xitay had been travelling back from interviewing an alleged victim of police violence but gave the masked men different information. The men became angry saying that they already knew where she had just been. They then told her that “this was the last warning”“esta fue laúltima advertencia”.

On the afternoon of April 12, Edgar Herber Hernandez Figueroa, an ICCPG researcher was leaving the ICCPG when an unknown man put a gun to his head and forced him into a blue car where another two armed men were inside. Inside the car the armed men questioned him about the ICCPG. Initially he denied working for the ICCPG but on being threatened admitted to working there. One of the armed men then said “tell those sons of bitches [at the ICCPG] that we know how they are organized and how many people they have. If they continue getting involved in things where they have no business, we are going to start cutting heads off.

We are tired of giving warnings.” “decile a esos hijos de la gran puta, que sabemos como están estructurado y cuantas cabezas tiene. Si se siguen metiendo en cosas donde no los han llamado vamos a comenzar a cortar cabezas. Ya estamos cansados de estar advirtiendo.” The researcher was let go one hour later after having money stolen by the armed men.

On 20 March a Paula Barrios, an ICCPG researcher on women in prison and gender violence, returned from work to find her home raided. Although nothing was missing, one of her children’s teddy bears had its mouth covered with masking tape. Her home is approximately two blocks from the national headquarters of the police. On 14 March ICCPG researchers David Dávila and Oswaldo Samayoa where followed by a green car while carrying out errands in the centre of Guatemala City in preparation to take testimony the following day from an alleged victim of police violence. The following day they left at 3:30 am to interview the alleged victim and over the next two and half hours were stopped five times by uniformed police who checked their ID.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The ICCPG is an academic and human rights organization which conducts research into criminal policy, judicial reform, prison conditions, gender violence and conflict resolution. One area of their current work is to research cases of alleged human rights violations committed by public security forces and prison guards (arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, torture, extra-judicial executions, etc.) and to providing legal support to victims and their families.

The ICCPG is currently assisting in the legal proceedings against officers accused of raping Juana Méndez in 2005, and in a number of cases of possible extra-judicial executions that are currently being heard in national courts and at the Inter-American Commission.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:
- Expressing concern at the recent threats and attacks against Edgar HerberVladimir Hernández Figueroa, Mónica Victoria Teleguario Xitay, Paula Barrios, David Dávila and Oswaldo Samayoa and their colleagues;
- Calling for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into these incidents and for those responsible to be brought to justice;
- Urging the Guatemalan authorities to take immediate and effective measures to guarantee the safety of these human rights defenders, according to their wishes;
- Reminding the Guatemalan authorities that human rights defenders have the right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Institutions to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
- Calling on the Guatemalan government to develop a national plan of action to implement the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders to ensure they are able to carry out their legitimate work without fear of reprisals.


APPEALS TO:
Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor's office
Lic. Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General de la República y Jefe del Ministerio Público
Edificio Ministerio Público
15 Avenida 15-16, Zona 1, Barrio Gerona, 8vo. Nivel
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 2411 9124
+502 2411 9326
Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Estimado Sr. Fiscal General

Minister of Interior
Adela Camacho de Torrebiarte
Ministra de Gobernación
6a. Avenida 13-71, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: +502 2413 8658
Salutation: Dear Minister/Estimada Sra. Ministra


COPIES TO:
Institute of Comparative Studies in Criminal Sciences of Guatemala ICCPG
5a. calle 1-49, Zona 1, Ciudad de Guatemala
Fax: +502 2230 1841
+502 2232 5121
+502 2220 2736

AND to diplomatic representatives of Guatemala accredited to your country.


PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.

Further Information on UA 49/07 (AMR 34/012/2007, 1 March 2007) Fear for safety

GUATEMALA Leonardo Ramírez (m), President of the New San José las Lágrimas Association (Asociación Nueva San José las Lágrimas) and member of the Committee of Peasant Unity (Comité de Unidad Campesina – CUC)
Other members of the New San José las Lágrimas Association

New name: Abelardo Roldan (m), CUC Regional Coordinator

Armed men attempted to abduct CUC Regional Coordinator Abelardo Roldan from a meeting with government representatives on 18 April, in the San José las Lágrimas community, Chiquimula Department. Amnesty International believes his life is in danger.

The meeting, where San José las Lágrimas community representatives discussed the allocation of land to the community with government representatives and the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office as well as the CUC, had nearly finished when five armed men allegedly burst in at around 4pm. The men asked, "Where is Abelardo Roldan? We have a score to settle with him." (Donde está Abelardo Roldan, el dirigente del CUC, para arreglar cuentas con él?) The government representatives asked the men to leave, as they hadn't been invited to the meeting. The men allegedly responded that "You may well be in charge of things, but we don't care, because we're not answerable to you, and we make our own law with guns (Muy autoridad pueden ser, pero nos importa poco, porque somos particulares y hacemos nuestra propia ley, con las armas). Another 15 armed men were reportedly waiting outside the building. The abduction attempt was reportedly prevented only by the actions of community members and government representatives, who stopped the armed men from dragging Abelardo Roldan outside.

Abelardo Roldan was able to leave with the government representatives in their private plane. The vehicle in which the CUC commission had arrived was driven back by a representative of the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office. As this vehicle and two others left the farm, they passed two cars, in which there were more armed men.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The attempted abduction of Abelardo Roldan occurrs in the context of an on-going land dispute. The rural workers of the San José las Lágrimas community were threatened with eviction from the farmland where they live and work in February 2007, and are currently in negotiations with government authorities over the allocation of land to community members. The army are occupying another part of the farm, where there is allegedly a mass grave of people killed by the armed forces during the internal armed conflict (1960-1996).

Several Association members have been killed in the past five months. On 13 February, Vicente Ramírez López and four other members of the Association were attacked on the farm by four armed men, who shot Vicente Ramírez dead. The rural workers managed to catch two of the gunmen, who claimed the army had sent them, and handed them over to the police. The two men were later imprisoned, but there are unconfirmed reports that they were subsequently freed.

On 14 December 2006 Matías Hernández, a member of the Association's Executive Board, was shot dead as he worked in his field.

Apparent acts of intimidation against community members have also been reported. On 6 January 2007 three houses in the hamlet of El Chapulín, belonging to members of the New San José las Lágrimas Association, were burnt down. The houses, which are several hours' walk from the San José las Lágrimas farm, were empty at the time.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish, English or your own language:
- urging the authorities to take immediate steps to guarantee the safety of all of those involved in the negotiation process to settle the San José las Lágrimas land dispute;
- pressing the authorities to ensure the speedy resolution of the outstanding land dispute issues affecting the San José las Lágrimas community;
- urging the authorities to order an immediate and thorough investigation into the 18 April attempted abduction of Abelardo Roldan, the 13 February killing of Vicente Ramírez, the 14 December 2006 killing of Matías Hernández, and the reported threats to the life of Leonardo Ramírez (UA 49/07), and to bring those responsible to justice;
- reminding the authorities of their obligations to recognize the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

APPEALS TO:
Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor's office
Lic. Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General de la República y Jefe del Ministerio Público
Edificio Ministerio Público
15 Avenida 15-16, Zona 1, Barrio Gerona, 8vo. Nivel, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 2411 9124

            +502 2411 9326

Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Estimado Sr. Fiscal General

Minister of Interior
Adela Camacho de Torrebiarte
Ministro de Gobernación
6a. Avenida 13-71, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: +502 2413 8658
Salutation: Dear Minister/Estimada Sra. Ministra

COPIES TO:

Comité de Unidad Campesina

31 Avenida A 14-46, Zona 7, Ciudad de Plata 2

Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA

Fax: +502 2434 9500 (if a voice answers, say "tono de fax, por favor")

and to diplomatic representatives of Guatemala accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 June 2007.********

LA ASOCIACIÓN GUATEMALTECA DE ALCALDES Y AUTORIDADES INDÍGENAS AGAAI AJK’MALB’E RECH UTZILAL TINAMIT

HACE SABER:

A LA OPINION PÚBLICA NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL

./ Que el día martes 20 de marzo del año en curso, nuestra oficina ubicada en el edificio El Centro, 7ma. Avenida 8-56 de la zona uno de la ciudad de Guatemala, fue violentada por desconocidos posteriormente fue allanada, habiéndose llevado únicamente documentación y una caja chica.

../ Este hecho fue puesto en conocimiento de la Policía nacional Civil como lo establece la legislación respectiva, pero hasta el momento aún el Ministerio Público no ha hecho las averiguaciones correspondientes.

…/Consideramos que este hecho de violencia responde por sus características a un claro acto intimidatorio a los trabajadores y a los miembros de nuestra Asociación. Por esta razón el caso ha sido también denunciado a la Oficina del Procurador de Derechos Humanos.

…./Lamentamos y condenamos este hecho de violencia que impera en las organizaciones indignas que únicamente busca generar un escenario de intimidación a nuestra organización.
-/Relacionamos estos hechos intimidatorios a la labor que nuestra Asociación está realizando en apoyo y acompañamiento a los Alcaldes y Autoridades indígenas que luchan para la protección de la madre tierra.

POR LO TANTO LA AGAAI DECLARA Y DEMANDA:

./ La garantía y el respeto a nuestra asociación indígena a nivel local y nacional ya que somos una Asociación que busca el fortalecimiento de los Alcaldes y autoridades indígenas y luchamos por nuestros derechos colectivos e indígenas.
../Que el Gobierno de turno, inicie la investigación respectiva de los responsables de este hecho de violencia, que solo genera un escenario de terror e intimidaciones.

…/Solicitamos a las organizaciones e instituciones de derechos humanos nacionales e internacionales y la cooperación internacional la solidaridad y el acompañamiento respectivo, a los miembros de la Junta Directiva y personal de nuestra Asociación AGAAI.
…./Asimismo hacemos un llamado a las comunidades a que en cumplimiento de sus derechos y normas nacionales internacionales continuemos organizados y seguir luchando por la reivindicación de nuestros derechos como pueblos y en defensa de la madre tierra.

-/Solicitamos a todos los participantes a la tercera Cumbre Continental de Pueblos y Nacionalidades Indígenas de Abya Yala, su apoyo a los Alcaldes  y a las autoridades Indígenas de Guatemala y la denuncia de este hecho de intimidación.

La AGAAI, manifiesta que estas acciones de intimidación no disminuirán los esfuerzos y formas de organización como pueblos indígenas,

JUNTA DIRECTIVA DE AGAAI

This is a recent urgent action from Amnesty International:

Post by Jordan Buckley

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Friends, Family and Allies,

One of the lawyers working on the national Guatemalan genocide case was recently kidnapped, while other members of the legal team have received a written threat, been tailed by unknown men and incurred other forms of grave intimidation; I typically only send out updates every two months, but I hope you will agree that these alarming circumstances require this plea for your urgent solidarity!

As many know, I am working as an accompanier to the Association for Justice & Reconciliation (AJR), a coalition of Maya survivors volunteering to be witnesses in the national genocide case. It is hoped that by placing international observers in the communities where AJR members live, the threat posed to them is reduced - namely because if anything happens to them, our friends, family and allies (this is you!) will rise up in outrage and demand justice of the Guatemalan authorities.

Please pardon the slight delay in relaying this information; I wanted to hear directly from the aforementioned legal team, the Center for Legal Action in Human Rights (CALDH), before writing you all.

On Feb. 2, Otto Navarro, a CALDH lawyer, found the tire of his car slashed. Later that day, Josè Roberto Morales, CALDH’s indigenous rights coordinator, was kidnapped by two armed men in a carjacking in front of his house. They released him in another neigborhood, telling him that if he activated the vehicle’s alarm they would return to his home and murder him. His vehicle was later found with all of his belongings (including a laptop computer) seemingly untouched.

Between Feb. 3-5, the offices of three other human rights organizations were broken into: their files were searched, and computers and film equipment were stolen. On Feb. 5, as members of these groups waited for the authorities to arrive, a red Toyota Corolla drove by and filmed the group.

Also on Feb. 5, a note was left on the windshield of CALDH lawyer Angèlica Gonzàlez, saying:


According to CALDH, these threats spring directly from their pursuit of the genocide case. The most important figure that the AJR and CALDH seek to charge with genocide, Efraìn Rìos Montt (who ruled over the killing of some 70,000 predominately Maya people during the 1980s), announced on Jan. 17 his plan for this year’s elections:


The threats to CALDH and Rìos Montt’s political ambitions are hardly a casual
coincidence.

On Feb. 7 - as had been planned before the intriguingly-timed threats and kidnapping- CALDH & the AJR presented a formal complaint to the courts, voicing their discontent with the Attorney General’s unwillingness to advance the genocide case past the investigative stage, where it has stalled since its original filing in 2001. CALDH & the AJR also requested that the judge proceed with collecting Ríos Montt’s initial statement in order to formally accuse him of genocide against the Maya Ixil people.

If the judge does not act, Rìos Montt may quite feasibly become the head of Congress in November, dramatically complicating any attempts to hold him accountable for his horrific crimes.

One of the most potent weapons we, individuals who believe in justice and universal human dignity, possess is the ability to exert pressure on the authorities to confront Guatemala’s recent, yet unpunished genocide.

As the AJR, the indigenous survivors of the genocide, and the CALDH legal team,
their allies in struggle, are literally placing their lives on the line to demand justice, I would ask that you please devote a single minute of your time (or less) to send an e-mail via NISGUA to the Guatemalan authorities urging them to advance the genocide case.

Or, better yet, challenge yourself and those you love to craft a creative act of resistance to Guatemalan authorities’ refusal to address the state-led campaign which killed upwards of 200,000 people largely during my (and perhaps your) lifetime…send them a drawing, a poem, a photograph - however you feel most able to express whatever repugnance or pain or fury their inaction and indifference might generate within you.

Mailing addresses for the authorities, as well as more information about the kidnapping, threats and genocide case, can be found here at NISGUA.

Background

See our post tracking the development of the above mentioned urgent action.

We've just (05-02-2007) received the following statement from CALDH. Once we have it in English we'll post/link to it here. It's now in English on Amnesty's website.

Update (09-02-2007)

Since 09-02-2007 Amnesty have posted an urgent action summing up the recent spate of attacks on human rights defenders in the last month- currently in Spanish. "Guatemala: Ola de ataques contra activistas de derechos humanos en el 2007 requiere investigación inmediata"

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HOSTIGAMIENTO A ORGANIZACIONES DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Nuevamente, en Guatemala las organizaciones de derechos humanos se ven amenazadas y atacadas por cuerpos ilegales que pretenden intimidarlas en su accionar. En esta ocasión fueron allanadas las oficinas donde se encuentra  el Movimiento Nacional por los Derechos Humanos (MNDH) y la Unidad de protección a Defensores y Defensoras de derechos humanos; además de la Asociación Comunicarte.

Asimismo, el viernes al medio día, CALDH fue objeto de dos actos de intimidación. Hombres armados robaron un vehículo de la institución, secuestrando por minutos al compañero que lo manejaba, lo amenazaron de muerte y lo dejaron cerca de un barranco, llevándose además del vehículo, una computadora portátil y documentos, todas las cosas aparecieron intactas, por lo que podemos aseverar que no se trató de un acto de delincuencia común. Paralelo a este hecho y en otro lugar, a uno de nuestros asesores legales le destruyeron, con una navaja,  una de las llantas de su vehículo personal, en un parqueo que contaba con guardias de seguridad privada. Todas estas acciones se vienen a sumar a las agresiones que desde septiembre vienen sufriendo diversos compañeros y compañeras del ECAP y que se incrementaron desde el 10 de enero recién pasado y que ya han sido denunciadas.

Estos hechos no pueden verse de manera aislada. Las organizaciones atacadas trabajan activamente por la verdad y la justicia en el país. Por un lado atacan a CALDH, que lucha contra la impunidad, particularmente en los casos por genocidio en Guatemala; COMUNICARTE, que es una asociación que ha documentado y difundido visualmente hechos vinculados a graves violaciones ocurridas durante el conflicto armado, y quienes además cuentan con archivos históricos; el MNDH que cuenta con registro de organizaciones de ddhh del país; y la Unidad de Defensores y Defensoras,  que lleva un registro de los ataques perpetrados en contra de defensores y defensoras. Estos actos no son coincidencia. La lucha por la justicia en crímenes del pasado y la denuncia constante de violaciones a derechos humanos en la actualidad, son razones para aseverar que estos hechos son políticos y pretenden intimidar y frenar las acciones que estas organizaciones realizan.

Exigimos al Ministerio Publico investigar estos hechos y al Gobierno garantizar la vida y la seguridad de quienes defienden, protegen y promueven los derechos humanos en Guatemala.
Update (08-02-2007) - Now in English thanks to Nisgua

Guatemala: Acción Urgente
Temor por la seguridad / Amenazas, Secuestro y Allanamiento
Guatemala: Acción Urgente
Fecha de emisión: 8 de febrero de 2007

Temor por la seguridad / Amenazas, Secuestro y Allanamiento

Testigos en casos nacionales e internacionales por genocidio
Personal del Centro para la Acción Legal en Derechos Humanos – CALDH
Miembros de la Unidad de Protección de Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos – UPD-MNDH
Miembros del Movimiento Nacional por los Derechos Humanos – MNDH
Miembros de la Asociación Comunicación para el Arte y la Paz – COMUNICARTE
Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial – ECAP

El sábado 27 de enero, ECAP emitió un comunicado sobre intimidaciones que habían recibido en conexión del trabajo que realizan en Rabinal, Baja Verapaz.  Desde octubre del año pasado el equipo de ECAP ha sido victima de varias amenazas en persona, escritas y telefónicas por el trabajo psicosocial que realiza en las exhumaciones y con los sobrevivientes de la masacre de Plan de Sánchez. 

El viernes 2 de febrero, una llanta del vehículo de Otto Navarro, abogado trabajando en el área legal de CALDH, fue lacerada. Más tarde este día, José Roberto Morales, coordinador del área de Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas de CALDH salió de la oficina en un vehículo de la institución. Al llegar a su casa fue secuestrado por dos hombres armados. Lo dejaron en una colonia cercana, diciéndole que lo buscarían en su casa para matarlo si se activara la alarma del vehículo. Posteriormente, el vehículo fue encontrado intacto, con todas las sus pertenencias, incluyendo una computadora portátil de modelo reciente.

Entre el sábado 3 y el lunes 5 de febrero, las oficinas de UPD-MNDH, MNDH y COMUNICARTE fueron allanadas por personas desconocidas. Registraron los archivos, robaron 11 computadoras, sustrajeron el equipo de filmación de COMUNICARTE y dejaron excrementos humanos en la terraza. Mientras el personal de estas instituciones esperaba la llegada de las autoridades el 5 de febrero en la mañana, el ocupante de un vehículo rojo de marca Toyota Corolla, con placas particulares 654CLO los filmó mientras pasaba frente a ellos.

El lunes 5 de febrero, una nota fue dejada en el parabrisas del carro de Angélica González, abogada trabajando en el área legal de CALDH. La nota decía: "DEJA DE FASTIDIAR CON PROTECCION PROTEGETE VOS MISMA QUE NO ENTENDES CON TANTO AVISO DECILE AL PANCHO  QUE SE CUIDE […] Y LA MUJER QUE SIEMPRE ESTAN SOLOS SIEMPRE LOS VEMOS Y USTEDES ABOGANSTER DE MIERDA QUE SOLO DINERO QUIEREN BUSQUEN OTRO TRABAJO SINO UN DIA DE ESTOS SALDREMOS A ALMORSAR JUNTOS COMO SIEMPRE NOSOTROS INVITAMOS "ENTIENDEN HIJOS DE PUTA". Angélica González fue responsable de tramitar las solicitudes de medidas cautelares a favor del personal de ECAP y de José Roberto Morales ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.

Todos estos hechos fueron denunciados al Ministerio Público.

Contexto

En una conferencia de prensa realizada el 6 de febrero, las organizaciones afectadas argumentaron que estos ataques podrían estar vinculados. El equipo jurídico de CALDH asesora legalmente a la Asociación para la Justicia y Reconciliación (AJR) en el caso presentado contra Efraín Ríos Montt y otros militares por genocidio. ECAP brinda acompañamiento psicosocial a sobrevivientes del genocidio, incluyendo a miembros de la AJR y otros testigos en casos de violaciones a los derechos humanos cometidas por militares durante el conflicto armado. La UPD-MNDH lleva el registro de todos los casos de ataques a defensoras y defensores de derechos humanos. Está por emitir su informe para el año 2006 sobre la situación de defensores de derechos humanos e investiga casos de alto impacto, incluyendo el ataque continuado contra ECAP. COMUNICARTE se encontraba terminando documentales sobre los temas de Genocidio, la Masacre de las Dos Erres, y las mujeres del Ixcán.

El 7 de julio 2006, la Audiencia Nacional Española giró órdenes internacionales de arresto contra Ríos Montt, Mejía Victores, Chupina, García Arredondo y Benedicto Lucas García por genocidio, terrorismo, torturas y detenciones ilegales. El 7 de noviembre pasado, Guevara y Chupina fueron arrestados luego de que un tribunal guatemalteco diera trámite a una solicitud de extradición girada por la justicia española. Actualmente, los demás imputados permanecen libres. En declaraciones a la prensa, el presidente en funciones Eduardo Stein dijo: "los guatemaltecos que han cometido delitos en el territorio nacional deben ser juzgados en Guatemala." En su promoción del derecho a la justicia y a la verdad, defensoras/es de derechos humanos han sufrido ataques sistemáticos, incluyendo al menos 13 asesinatos, desde el año 2000.

En octubre del año pasado, la AJR solicitó al Ministerio Público (MP) que tramite ante el juez contralor del caso, Roberto Peñate, la primera declaración de Ríos Montt. Cuatro meses después tampoco se tiene una respuesta por parte de dichas autoridades. El 7 de febrero, CALDH y la AJR presentaron un memorial al juez contralor, señalando su discrepancia con el MP y solicitando que proceda a citar a Ríos Montt y lo acuse por el delito de genocidio cometido bajo su gobierno contra el pueblo Maya Ixil.

De ser vinculado al caso, Ríos Montt no podría concretar su intención de inscribirse como candidato al Congreso, adquiriendo así inmunidad parlamentaria. Las candidaturas para las elecciones generales que se celebrarán en septiembre de este año se recibirán a partir del 3 de mayo.

La Coordinación del Acompañamiento Internacional en Guatemala (CAIG), preocupada por el incremento en amenazas contra estas organizaciones, les solicita tomar acciones para garantizar su seguridad.

Acciones sugeridas

-    Solicite al Vicepresidente de Guatemala que se brinde protección a los integrantes de UPD-MNDH, COMUNICARTE, ECAP, CALDH, y MNDH tal como lo soliciten los interesados y que asegure la seguridad de las demás organizaciones y individuos que trabajan en el tema de genocidio e impunidad;
-    Solicite al Vicepresidente de Guatemala que se extraditen los imputados solicitados por la justicia española;
-    Solicite al Fiscal General la investigación inmediata de los ataques contra el equipo legal de CALDH y del allanamiento de las oficinas de la UPD-MNDH, MNDH y COMUNICARTE;
-    Solicite al Fiscal General una acción decidida del Ministerio Público en los casos penales por crímenes cometidos por las fuerzas de seguridad durante el conflicto armado.

Mandar sus llamamientos a:

Vicepresidente de la República
Sr. Eduardo Stein
Casa Presidencial, 6a. Avenida 4-19, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: (502) 2253 0801 / 2238 0106
(Digan: "tono de fax, por favor")
Tratamiento: Estimado Sr. Vicepresidente
 
Lic. Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General de la República y
Jefe del Ministerio Público
Edificio Ministerio Público
15 Avenida 15-16, Zona 1,
Barrio Gerona, 8vo. Nivel,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: (502) 2411 9124/ 9326
Tratamiento: Estimado Sr. Fiscal General
 
Con copia a:

Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y
Acción Psicosocial -ECAP-
2a. Avenida 1-11, zona 3 Colonia Bran
Telefax: (502) 2232-1430 / 2253-6071
E-mail: ecap [at] itelgua.com y ecap [at] guate.net.gt

Centro para la Acción Legal en
Derechos Humanos
6ª. Avenida 1-71, zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala
Fax: (502) 2230-3470
Correo-e: caldh [at] caldh.org
 
Unidad de Protección de Defensoras y
Defensores de Derechos Humanos
Movimiento Nacional de Derechos Humanos
1 Avenida 0-11, Zona 2, Colonia Lo de Bran,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: (502) 2232 2651
(Digan: "tono de fax, por favor")
Correo-e: udefegua [at] yahoo.com

Coordinación del Acompañamiento Internacional en Guatemala: caig [at] riseup.net y a la representación diplomática de Guatemala acreditada en su país.

Guatemala, 25 de Enero del 2007

El Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial[1] – ECAP-denuncia que:

Iniciando el año, han continuado los incidentes de seguridad en contra de los trabajadores y trabajadoras de ECAP. En los meses de octubre y noviembre del año pasado denunciamos las intimidaciones y agresiones hacia ECAP por el trabajo psicosocial, que realiza la organización, en las exhumaciones y con los beneficiarios de las medidas de reparación de la sentencia de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en la comunidad de Plan de Sánchez. Se denunciaron las persecuciones a dos personas de la organización, una amenaza escrita recibida en Rabinal y el ataque contra uno de los promotores en la región de Rabinal.

El miércoles 10 de enero 2007, se recibió en el correo institucional de ECAP un mensaje con nombre emisor "simón chimón; asoc_shimon@hotmail.com", que vincula el trabajo de nuestra organización en alianza con otras organizaciones locales de Rabinal, al trabajo del alcalde municipal del FRG. Al final del mensaje se dice: "Se cayó en la trampa del FRG, las amenazas que reciben ECAP vienen del FRG, el FRG sabe la lógica que tiene el ECAP, sabe como trabajan, como es una organización de psicolocos entoces buscan como asustarlos. Esto va a seguir durante este año. El FRG no se queda cayado con la gota de sangre que dejo Rio de Sangre en Rabinal, muy pronto se van a bengar. Asi que tenga muchos cuidados"

El lunes 23 de enero 2007, hacia las 8:30 h, una de las personas que labora en la institución, y que ya había sufrido una persecución con un vehículo en la capital, se encontraba en un autobús extraurbano de  Chimaltenango a la capital, cuando un hombre se sentó a su lado y le dijo "Usted es ……, entienda, no viajen. Yo se que van para Rabinal, entiendan, dejen de estar chingando a la mara!, que algo les puede pasar como se les dijo en la nota, esto va a seguir, hijos de la gran madre o quieren que les pase algo más". El hombre continuó insultando, hasta un momento en el que se cambió de asiento, y posteriormente se bajó en la parada de Sumpango.

El mismo día 23, alrededor de las 5 de la tarde, una de las compañeras que reside en Rabinal recibió varias llamadas de teléfono donde se le insultaba e intimidaba por el trabajo que se realiza en la región.

ECAP se muestra profundamente preocupado por todos estos incidentes de seguridad en su contra, fundamentalmente teniendo en cuenta que el Estado, a través de la COPREDEH y del Ministerio de Gobernación en reunión de 24 de noviembre 2006, en el marco de las medidas provisionales emitidas por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en el contexto de la ejecución de sentencia de reparaciones del caso Plan de Sánchez vs el Estado de Guatemala, se comprometió a poner las medidas de seguridad necesarias para proteger la integridad de las personas y de la organización, y a investigar sobre los hechos que habían sido denunciados hasta la fecha.

Esta situación vulnera el trabajo de atención psicosocial que realizamos con las víctimas y sobrevivientes de la violencia política.

Por todo ello, exigimos a las autoridades que investiguen, esclarezcan y sancionen este tipo de hechos intimidatorios tal como ha sido solicitado por ECAP y ordenado por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.

A nivel nacional e internacional solicitamos su apoyo para la denuncia, presión para la efectiva investigación de las autoridades correspondientes y el cese de los ataques; su solidaridad ante esta grave situación, que se suma a otros ataques a defensores de derechos humanos, que afecta derechos individuales y garantías fundamentales de ciudadanos y ciudadanas guatemaltecas.

ECAP
2da. Avenida 1-11, zona 3
Colonia Bran
Ciudad de Guatemala
Telefax: (502) 2332-1430 Tel. 2253-6071
E-mail: ecap [at] guate.net.gt y ecap [at] itelgua.com
www.ecapguatemala.org

[1]La organización Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial,
ECAP, es una organización no gubernamental guatemalteca que trabaja con sobrevivientes del Conflicto Armado Interno. Desarrolla proyectos de apoyo psicosocial de carácter multidisciplinario e integral, que propician la recuperación y restablecimiento de individuos, grupos sociales y comunidades de los daños psíquicos, sociales y culturales provocados por la violencia política en Guatemala.

Dentro de su quehacer institucional desarrolla acompañamiento psicosocial en procesos de exhumaciones y, entre otros, apoyo psicosocial con sobrevivientes de la masacre de la comunidad indígena de Plan de Sánchez, Rabinal, Baja Verapaz, en el marco de la sentencia de reparaciones de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos de 19 noviembre 2004. En esa ocasión, se presentó un peritaje sobre el daño a la integridad mental para la audiencia en Costa Rica en abril 2004, posteriormente a la sentencia, se ha venido desarrollando un trabajo con los beneficiarios de las medidas de reparación en las diferentes comunidades afectadas de esa región, y por último, ECAP forma parte de un Comité ordenado en las medidas de reparación del caso con el fin de dar un seguimiento a las mismas.

26 January 2007- UA 20/07- Fear for safety               

Environmental activist Flaviano Bianchini has reportedly received a series of anonymous telephone calls, and has been kept under surveillance. Amnesty International believes that his life may be in danger.

Flaviano Bianchini, an Italian national, is working as a volunteer for the Guatemalan environmental group Colectivo MadreSelva, which is investigating the effects of mining on the environment. At a press conference in Guatemala City on 5 January, he presented a report on the contamination allegedly caused by a gold mine to the Tzala River in Sipakapa, San Marcos department. The report alleges that the river, which is the main source of water for indigenous people in the region, has been contaminated with heavy metals. This was reported in the national press the following day [see NISGUA for more].

Background

Prensa Libre today (28-01-2007) leads with a story on the issue of whether weak Government regulation of mining concessions is endangering the Guatemalan environment.

Cerigua has been reporting on a number of protests against mining in recent days:


You can follow Cerigua's news reports on the environment here and read further more general resources on the mining issue here.

Update (24-02-07)

Environmental activist Flaviano Bianchini, who received a series of threatening phone calls earlier this year, has returned to Italy, and is no longer in danger.

An Italian citizen who had been working on environmental issues related to mining activities in Guatemala and Honduras, he had received a string of anonymous threatening phone calls during January. These appeared to be connected with a report he had prepared on contamination of a river allegedly caused by a gold mine in Guatemala. The river was the main source of water for local indigenous people.

He received further threats after the UA was issued. On 2 and 5 February, he received phone calls, both repeating the same message he had received previously: deje de chingar ("Stop fucking around").

He arrived in Honduras on 8 February to present a study on the impact of mining activities in the Valle de Siria region. There he was told that men connected with a mining company featured in the report had been asking where he was. For his own safety, he decided not to travel outside the capital. He returned to Guatemala the same day, and shortly afterwards decided to bring forward the date of his return to Italy, also for his own safety.

The investigation into the threats and intimidation suffered by Flaviano Bianchini is not known to have produced any results. Flaviano Bianchini has asked for his thanks to be passed on to the UA network. The Guatemalan NGO he was working for, MadreSelva, have made the same request.

Urgent Action: Amnesty USA - GUATEMALA                

Carlos Albacete Rosales (m) and Piedad Espinosa Albacete (f), Co-directors of environmental organisation Green Tropic (Tropico Verde)

An attempt on the lives of two environmentalists has been made in Guatemala City. Amnesty International believes that their lives and those of other colleagues are in grave danger.

Environmental activists Carlos Albacete Rosales and Piedad Espinosa Albacete were the subjects of an apparent attempt on their lives as they returned home from the La Aurora National Airport in Guatemala City in a taxi on Wednesday 10 January 2007 at 12.20am.

As they approached their house in the area known as Carretera a El Salvador, they saw a grey Volkswagen Golf parked less than 1km from their house. The car pulled out behind them and followed them until overtaking the taxi a few metres further on and making a 180 degree turn in front of them, partially blocking the road.

Four men got out of the car, drawing their handguns as they did so. They were wearing black woollen hats and dark- coloured bullet-proof vests, dressed in black clothing similar to that used by the police but without the identifying insignia. They stood in front of the taxi and began to shoot at it. The taxi driver carried on forwards, leaving the four men behind. They continued to shoot at the taxi but did not pursue it any further. [see Nisgua for more]

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Trade Unionist Killed

In a separate incident a trade unionist, Pedro Zamora, was killed (16-01-07). This from the Frente Nacional de Lucha En Defensa de los Servicios Publicos y Los Recursos Naturales:

And now Reuters have just covered the story in English- "Guatemalan union boss killed in front of children".

Update (19-01-2007)

Since Pedro Zamora's death, several of his colleagues have reportedly received anonymous phone calls threatening them and their families with death within nine days. Amnesty International believes that their lives are in serious and imminent danger. [more from NISGUA]

Washington, DC: The Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) urges the Guatemalan judicial system to order and carry out the committal order issued by the Spanish courts for the arrests of ex-dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and former official Benedicto Lucas García, with prompt extradition or domestic prosecution.  

In light of recent threats against ECAP (Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial), an organization doing psychological/social work with survivors in Rabinal, Alta Verapaz, we also urge the protection of the members and workers of ECAP, as well as all survivors, witnesses, human rights defenders and organizations involved in promoting the prosecution of those responsible for genocide in Guatemala.  Since September of this year, ECAP has suffered various acts of intimidation and violence, including written threats, vigilance and attempted kidnapping.

On December 1, the Guatemalan Supreme Court received committal orders from Spain demanding the arrest and eventual extradition of these two ex-government officials.  The formal committal order issued by Spanish judge Santiago Pedraz cites the charges of genocide for the massacres that occurred during the armed conflict and specifies that the majority of these crimes occurred during the period of Rios Montt's government. The order reads, "During Rios Montt's reign, 69% of all executions took place, 41% of rapes and sexual assaults, and 45% of tortures of all the registered cases, as documented by the Commission for Historical Clarification." Overall, some 200,000, predominantly Maya, people were murdered during the 36-year-long conflict.

Ríos Montt and Lucas García are among eight former officials who face extradition to Spain for their crimes, as the result of charges filed by Rigoberta Menchú and other victims before Spanish courts in 1999.  Two others, Ángel Aníbal Guevara Ramírez and Germán Chupina Barahona, have already been detained by the National Civil Police on charges of terrorism, homicide and kidnapping.  Donaldo Alvarez Ruíz and Pedro García Arredondo have not been located and are considered to be refugees from justice.

On November 30, Guatemala's Vice-President Eduardo Stein stated, “it should not be justice systems from other countries which judge the crimes committed here.”  The Justice for Genocide coalition demands that genocide be tried by Spain under the principle of universal jurisdiction and that Guatemala create conditions which allow its justice system to function independently and efficiently.  NISGUA accompaniment coordinator Bridget Brehen comments, “If the Guatemalan judicial system handles the orders for Ríos Montt and Lucas García differently than the previous arrest warrants, we will be looking at a clear example of impunity.”

[For more: see NISGUA's website]

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Background: the case against Rios Montt et al yesterday (06-12-2006) headed towards the long grass of analysis by the Constitutional Court [El Periodico].

Are you buying fair trade fruit? We've just received this urgent action from British based organisation Banana Link. Although this action refers to workers in Costa Rica, the banana trade in Guatemala is enormous. You can find more information on this from Banana Link's excellent and informative website: