Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

STEG OFFICE RAIDED

June 28, 2005

Between the evening of June 25 and the morning of June 27, the office of the Union of Education Workers of Guatemala (STEG) was raided. The secretary of the union discovered the break-in at 9:00 A.M. on Monday, June 27 when he arrived at his office to begin work. The door that opens to the street had been forced, and the intruders left clear signs of intimidation.

On the walls and on the desks the intruders painted red crosses, presumably to symbolize death. They also painted red crosses on the organization’s posters against the privatization of education, on posters with the name of STEG, and on posters with images of important leaders of the movement.

Material losses included the theft of a computer containing extensive information on the National Assembly of Teachers’ programs and its plans for the future, as well as the history of its programs and plans from 1989 to the present. Two other computers were destroyed. Red paint was spilled on all the files, and papers were also destroyed.

A desk drawer containing money was left open, but the money was not stolen.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Intimidations and threats reportedly increased against STEG personnel after the beginning of 2005. In March, when STEG joined other groups in demonstrating against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), unidentified vehicles began to park outside the organization’s offices. Apparently the occupants of the vehicles were attempting to monitor the staff’s activities or intimidate those inside the building. In addition to CAFTA, STEG has opposed the Law of Concessions, which concerns privatization of public resources. As a member of the Labor and Popular Action Unity (UASP), STEG is involved in a lawsuit against Guatemala’s president, vice president, defense minister, interior minister, and chief of police for the extrajudicial execution of Juan López in Colotenango, Huehuetenango in March of this year. Members of STEG, including Secretary General Joviel Acevedo, have received serious death threats recently. As part of UASP, STEG has also publicized official documents confirming massive tax evasion by many powerful individuals.

REQUESTED ACTION:

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or English:

• Express grave concern about the break-in at the office of the Union of Education Workers of Guatemala (STEG). Note that the break-in was aimed at intimidating members of STEG and obstructing their work.
• Express serious concern for all STEG members and call on the government to ensure their safety.

• Call on the government to guarantee the right of STEG members to carry out their work.

• Call for an immediate and thorough investigation, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:

Presidente de la República de Guatemala
Licenciado Óscar Berger Perdomo
Casa Presidencial, 6 a. Avenida, 4-18 zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Email: presidente@scspr.gob.gt
Salutation: Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente/Dear President
Fax: 502 2251 2218

Attorney General
Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General Fiscalia General del Ministerio Público
8a. Avenida 10-67, Zona 1
Ciudad Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 251 2218
Salutation: Estimado Fiscal General/Dear Sir

Minister of the Interior
Ministro de Gobernación
Carlos Vielman
6a.Avenida 4-64, zona 4, nivel 3
Ciudad de Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 2362 0237
Email: ministro@mingob.gob.gt
Salutation: Senor Ministro/ Dear Minister

Minister of Defense
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Carlos Aldana Villanueva
Avenida Reforma,1-45, zona 10
Ciudad de Guatemala,
GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 2360 9909
Salutation: Senor Ministro/Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Jacinto Garcia
Labor and Popular Action Unity
uaspgt@yahoo.es

Ambassador Jose Guillermo Castillo
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R St. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 745 1908
email: ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.

 

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