Guatemala Solidarity Network -

Interamerican Commission of Human Rights concludes a visit to Guatemala

Gillian H — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:17:33 -0700

The Interamerican Commission on Human Rights recently concluded a visit to Guatemala. As one of the American bodies charged with oversight of the respect for human rights it periodically visits member states. These visits are part of its monitoring role, and form part of the input into its reports. The delegation's primary points of interest were the progress of cases against former high command in the civil war for human rights abuses, indigenous people and the safety of human rights defenders.

New Speaker knows where Guatemala is!

Gillian H — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:26:41 -0700

The recent political turmoil in the UK had many casualties, one of whom was Michael Martin, the speaker of the House who was forced out of office, the first time this has happened in more than 300 years. After a many horse race the new speaker has been elected, and the new one is already being given short odds for a short term by some. John Bercow, a conservative who apparently got the grand total of three votes from members of his own party might well be member for Herpetology representing the Chameleon Party given the complete change in his political views over his career. Many commentaries can be found elsewhere on his merits, his faults and political manoeuvring for his election.

However, my personal reason for taking special note of his election is that he is one of the few MPs who seem to know where Guatemala is, having asked several questions about the country: Hurricane Stan, death squads, extrajudicial executions. He is also currently the chair of the Genocide Prevention All Party Parliamentary Group, which raises awareness of the issue and tries to ensure the UK government does all it can to prevent it.

Caja Lúdica

Kevin D — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:40:31 -0700

Guatemala

’s murder rate is ten times the world average. The harsh streets of Guatemala City are packed with drugs, gangs and guns. Caja Lúdica is a youth arts collective, using arts and carnival activities to promote a culture of peace in communities rocked by violence.

Using activities like drama, dance, acrobatics and stilt-walking, Caja Lúdica draws youngsters - including gang members - in to a range of social and educational opportunities. It aims to help these marginalised young people discover a sense of purpose and of worth. Many go on to find work in the arts sector.

Caja Lúdica aims to reclaim community space for enjoyment and togetherness, and to help brutalised youngsters discover a sense of purpose and of worth, so they can grow into peaceful, responsible Guatemalan citizens.

However, in less than 60 days, three members of Colectivo Caja Lúdica have been assassinated. “When somebody dies violently their soul does not rest, for this we ask of Ajaw (the Creador) that he accompanies our compañeros”, says Julia Escobar, director of the centre.

The victims were Juan Manuel Orozco Ambrosio, alias El Fu, killed on the 5th April, Nexo Pineda, known as El Gordo, murdered on the 23rd May and Saulo Fernando González Estrada, ‘el Chucky’, died on 30th May together with five other youths.

There is more here in Spanish from El Periodico.

Guatemala begins to identify civil war victims

Kevin D — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:08:07 -0700

Something made me check out the Al Jazeera website and I saw this little video.

“During Guatemala's 36-year civil war in which at least 200,000 people died, victims of the government's death squads were buried in unmarked graves. Now they are being exhumed in independent efforts to identify them so that their loved ones can lay them to rest. But the scientists are facing a number of hurdles.”

Is it such a hardship?

Gillian H — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:27:19 -0700

Expenses, or more properly allowances, are much in the news presently. It is perhaps, though, just a coincidence that recently a question was asked in parliament about the hardship allowance paid to diplomatic service employees, the Diplomatic Service Compensation Allowance.

Linguistic diversity on the airwaves

Gillian H — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:41:49 -0700

It has been estimated that one half of the 6000 languages spoken in the world are under threat of extinction from globalisation, greater movement of people and mass communication in the dominant language of countries which are linguistically diverse.

Peace Brigades International announcements

Gillian H — Sun, 31 May 2009 09:39:14 -0700

Peace Brigades International are an organisation you may already be aware of: they train and place accompaniers in various countries of the world. In their own words: "PBI is an international NGO that has been promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights since 1981", and after their founding the second country they had a presence in was Guatemala. Though they withdrewfor a few years after the signing of the peace accords they have returned and have a programme there again. If you are interested in becoming an accompanier they will be holding their next orientation weekend from 4-6 September in Buckinghamshire. You can find details here, along with an application form if you are interested in attending.

An indictment from the grave.

Kevin D — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:32:24 -0700

A murder foretold has convulsed Guatemala’s government. Its investigation will provide a test of whether or not Central America includes a failed state. So begins this article in The Economist. It’s interesting that the article states ‘the murder rate (of nearly 50 per 100,000 people) is higher than its average during the war. Police and courts are understaffed, underpaid and susceptible to bribes and threats. According to the United Nations, just 2% of crimes in the country are solved.’ Yet, it is only the murder of Rosenberg on which hinges the title of ‘failed state’. An interesting take but maybe not surprising.

The art of creating political crises

Gillian H — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:42:37 -0700

Last Sunday, among the now routine roll-call of violent death in Guatemala appeared one name for whom the grave would not be silent. “Good Afternoon, my name is Rodrigo Rosenberg Marzano… sadly if you are watching or hearing this message it is because I was murdered by President Alvaro Colom…” His accusations have been seized on to generate the most serious political crisis seen in Guatemala for some years. Allegations are made about other people too: the president’s wife, private secretary and a major party funder.

Attacks on Human Rights Workers

Kevin D — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:46:57 -0700

We have just received news from ACOGUATE of death threats and attacks suffered by staff of two human rights organizations in Guatemala, SEDEM and UDEFEGUA, in the last number of days.

The messages were personal and referred to the work they are doing on the army archives and insisting that they stop or harm will come to them and their children.

Owing to their gravity, these threats and attacks have been notified to the proper Ministry (Ministerio Público) with the relevant threatening messages.

SEDEM AND UDEFEGUA are part of the Convergence for Human Rights, an umbrella group of human rights organisations in Guatemala.

The Convergence for Human Rights issued a statement expressing their solidarity with SEDEM and UDEFEGUA and calling on the ministry to carry out the necessary investigations. It has called on the Government to strengthen the necessary bodies in protecting those people who work in human rights. It has also called on the international community, including diplomatic missions within Guatemala and also CICIG to continue to accompany human rights defenders and asks that social movements and human rights defenders to stand together in the face of these attacks.

If we hear more, we will provide updates.