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Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA |
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. . . Working for human rights in Guatemala since 1982 |
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UNION LEADERS THREATENEDJuly 25, 2005 On July 25 at about 7:30 A.M., a funeral wreath was found hanging from the window of the headquarters of the Labor Union of Guatemalan Workers (UNSITRAGUA). Two obituaries were found inside the building, addressed to the Workers Union of the National Mortgage Credit Bank (STCHN), which is a member of UNSITRAGUA. One of the obituaries specifically threatened with death eight leaders of the Workers Union of the National Mortgage Credit Bank. The obituary stated, “Rest in peace, National Mortgage Credit Union. File a report about something, sons of bitches, bad Guatemalans.” On the back was the message, “What a shame to lose pseudo-leaders sons of bitches,” followed by the names of the eight leaders. The leaders threatened with death are VINICIO ORDÓÑEZ GARCIA, Secretary General; LUIS ERENESTO MORALES GALVEZ, a member of the Consultative Council ; FERNANDO CIRÍN AROCHE, Secretary of Labor and Conflicts; EFRAÍN LÓPEZ QUICHE, Secretary of Communications, Acts, and Accords; ELIO SANTIAGO MONROY LOPEZ, Secretary of Finances; MANUEL FRANCISCO ARIAS VIRULA, Secretary of Social Provision; DANILO ENRIQUE CHEA HERRERA, Secretary of Publicity and Organization; and JOSE DOUGLAS ACENCIO, Secretary of Athletics. The other obituary continued insulting the leaders and said, “One union less, no headache. May God have mercy on the workers of the CHN, we all win, Guatemala wins, an unforgettable year, destruction of a belligerent union 2005.” BACKGROUND INFORMATION The union leaders had previously been subjected to acts of intimidation. On July 22, 2005, they were in the human resources office of the bank, waiting for an attorney from the Ministry of Labor to corroborate the threats they had reported receiving. Manager José Fidencio García Beltetón arrived at the office and publicly insulted and threatened them, saying that from that time forward, things were going to change. The leaders had made formal complaints about anomalies under the administration of manager José Fidencio García Beltetón and had fought plans to privatize the bank, leading them to clash with bank authorities, who are appointed by the government. They had also reported previous acts of intimidation by the management of the National Mortgage Credit Bank (CHN). Because of this, union members assume that the threats are from the previous government or from the current bank administration. UNSITRAGUA has been threatened, too; in 2003, a telephoned threat came in through a member’s private line. Police protection was then provided. The leaders of STCHN have reported repressive actions, such as the violation of benefits negotiated through the Collective Pact of Labor Conditions, which includes a citation that union members not be fired. There has been a policy by the bank authorities to pressure workers to leave the union, causing a drop in union membership of 450 members in 2002 to 210 members in 2005. Union members report that the union’s telephone lines have been blocked. Bank authorities have also threatened to remove union privileges, recognized in national and international laws. In addition, their assigned vehicle was stolen in 2004. The labor conflict began on March 22, 2002, when 170 union members were forced into “voluntary retirement.” On July 21 they forced other members to retire, as well. In 2003, many leaders were intimidated in different ways. The union has made formal complaints about corruption stemming from the merging of the Army Bank and BANORO. The union, founded in 1963, is affiliated with the Federation of Unions of Bank Employees (FESEBS) and UNSITRAGUA; the latter facilitates legal counsel. REQUESTED ACTION
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IN SPANISH OR ENGLISH Presidente de la República de Guatemala Attorney General Minister of the Interior Copy to: Ambassador José Guillermo Castillo
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