Apology for Harbury Husband Murder

Guatemala Apologizes for the Murder of Jennifer Harbury's Husband

October 26, 2006

More than 10 years after the disappearance of her husband, Jennifer Harbury has finally recieved a formal apology from Guatemala for the torture and murder of her husband, Efrain Bamaca. Bamaca, an indigenous rebel leader who disappeared in 1992 after being captured by the guatemalan military, met U.S. lawyer Jennifer Harbury in 1990 when she visited the hideouts of Guatemalan guerilla fighters to research for a book.

The Guatemalan army originally claimed Bamaca had committed suicide, but it was then revealed that he had been tortured for two years before being injected with massive amounts of truth serum and then murdered.

Although the U.S. State Department claimed no knowledge of Bamaca's disappearance, Congress released documents in 1995 that proved the United States government knew Bamaca was taken alive by the Guatemalan army.

Harbury has spent the last 14 years searching for knowledge of her murdered husband. She has staged three hunger strikes, one taking place in front of the White House, and sued Clinton administration officials for concealing important information that could possibly have saved her husband's life. Despite receiving death threats and having her case dismissed by the Supreme Court, Harbury continues her fight for justice. The Guatemalan government's recognition of responsibility in the forced disappearance and extra-judicial killing of Bamaca is, according to Harbury, "definately a step. But it's not enough."

Guatemala has promised to investigate and find the remains of Efrain Bamaca to return them to his family members. They have also said they will investigate and try to find those responsible for his murder.

Sources:

Documento de URNG sobre reconocimiento estatal de responsabilidad en desaparicion de Efrain
Bamaca

Rosenberg, Mica. "Guatemala apologizes to U.S. widow over murder." Reuters. 17 Oct 2006.

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	Guatemala Apologizes for the Murder of Jennifer Harbury's Husband October 26, 2006 More than 10 years after the disappearance of her husband, Jennifer Harbury has finally recieved a formal apology from Guatemala for the torture and murder of her husband, Efrain Bamaca. Bamaca, an indigenous rebel leader who disappeared in 1992 after being captured by the guatemalan military, met U.S. lawyer Jennifer Harbury in 1990 when she visited the hideouts of Guatemalan guerilla fighters to research for a book. The Guatemalan army originally claimed Bamaca had committed suicide, but it was then revealed that he had been tortured for two years before being injected with massive amounts of truth serum and then murdered. Although the U.S. State Department claimed no knowledge of Bamaca's disappearance, Congress released documents in 1995 that proved the United States government knew Bamaca was taken alive by the Guatemalan army. Harbury has spent the last 14 years searching for knowledge of her murdered husband. She has staged three hunger strikes, one taking place in front of the White House, and sued Clinton administration officials for concealing important information that could possibly have saved her husband's life. Despite receiving death threats and having her case dismissed by the Supreme Court, Harbury continues her fight for justice. The Guatemalan government's recognition of responsibility in the forced disappearance and extra-judicial killing of Bamaca is, according to Harbury, "definately a step. But it's not enough." Guatemala has promised to investigate and find the remains of Efrain Bamaca to return them to his family members. They have also said they will investigate and try to find those responsible for his murder. Sources: Documento de URNG sobre reconocimiento estatal de responsabilidad en desaparicion de Efrain Bamaca Rosenberg, Mica. "Guatemala apologizes to U.S. widow over murder." Reuters. 17 Oct 2006.





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