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UNION LEADERS THREATENED

July 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

  • Express grave concern for the safety of the leaders and members of the Workers Union of the National Mortgage Credit Bank and the Labor Union of Guatemalan Workers;
  • Express particular concern for the eight union leaders threatened with death;
  • Urge the authorities to guarantee the safety of all members of the Workers Union of the National Mortgage Credit Bank and of UNSITRAGUA;
  • Call for an immediate and thorough investigation of these threats and acts of intimidation, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice;
  • Express concern about the increase in attacks against human rights and social leaders, which to date this year number 130, more than the number reported in all of 2004 and 2003.
  • Remind the Guatemalan government that on July 17, timed to coincide with the visit of the Organization of American States Rapporteur, it published a statement in the newspaper pledging to protect the citizenry, including those who working to protect their rights. Demand that the government live up to its promise.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IN SPANISH OR ENGLISH
TO ARRIVE IMMEDIATELY TO:

Presidente de la República de Guatemala
Licenciado Óscar Berger Perdomo
Casa Presidencial, 6a. Avenida 4-18, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Email: presidente@scspr.gob.gt
Salutation: Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente/Dear President
Fax: (502) 2-239-0090

Attorney General
Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General Fiscalía General del Ministerio Público
8a. Avenida 10-67, Zona 1
Ciudad Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Fax: (502) 2-221-2718
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: (502) 2-362-0239
Email: ministro@mingob.gob.gt
Salutation: Señor Ministro/ Dear Minister

Copy to: Ambassador José Guillermo Castillo
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R St. NW
Washington DC 20008 Fax: 1 202 745 1908
Tel: 202-745-4952
email: ambassador@guatemala-embassy.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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