Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

Offices of the Campesino Committess of the Highlands (CCDA) Broken into

March 26, 2006

San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá
Translation by Simon Helweg-Larsen (Original Text below)

On March 2, 2006, the CCDA commemorated twenty-four years of organized struggle. We originally formed in order to demand justice and development in the Guatemalan countryside, responding to governments’ fierce policies of persecution, repression, and marginalization of campesinos and indigenous peoples. Twenty-four years later, we are still being harassed by people and groups opposed to real democracy, rural development, and coexistence in a just society.

At dawn on Sunday, March 26, 2006, unknown people forced their way through the door of the CCDA’s central office in the municipality of San Lucas Tolimán. They took with them computers containing information on the CCDA’s armed conflict compensation project [revindicación], audiovisual equipment, various 100-pound sacks of coffee, financial documents, etc.

We believe that this is a political attack carried out against our work for its focus on social justice.

This kind of action against the CCDA shines light on the type of groups that still exist in Guatemala, shielded by secrecy and impunity and acting with complete freedom and without any hindrance from the authorities.

In the face of this persecution and intimidation of the CCDA leadership, we demand:

--That the authorities conduct an investigation and that the results be presented to the CCDA.

--That the police actually do their job and provide security for the people.

The CCDA’s position:

--We reaffirm our commitment to continue the struggle for justice and rural development in Guatemala;

--To continue mobilizing and presenting proposals in order to accomplish our strategic goals of agrarian reform and rural development;

--To strengthen our organizational capacity in order to survive different kinds of repression until there is equality and coexistence among Guatemalans.

Our appeal:

--To our membership:
We must remain united and informed about what is happening in each of our communities, and we must denounce any human rights violations.

--To the solidarity movement:
Keep your attention on the CCDA and anything else that might happen to us now that we have defined our strategy as being in favor of justice, equality, and citizen participation, as this constitutes an attack against the interests of those who have held this country in a system of dependence
and underdevelopment.

Hope is growing and strengthening in Guatemala.
Comité Campesino del Altiplano / Campesino Committee of the Highlands
(CCDA).
San Lucas Tolimán, March 27, 2006.

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Coordinating Comittee of NGOs and Cooperatives (CONGCOOP) Denounces Break-in of Social Organization

This weekend the offices of the Foundation for Community Development (FUNDESCO), an organization affiliated with CONGCOOP, were raided. Those who carried out the break-in stole computer equipment, accounting paperwork, and other belongings. This incident is one of many in a condemnable chain of break-ins and attacks directed at social organizations.

In the face of the aforementioned, the organization demands:

-That the appropriate authorities carry out a thorough investigation of the incident, as well as identify those responsible and begin the corresponding paperwork.

-That social organizations and both the national and international community condemn this type of intimidation and insecurity, show their solidarity with FUNDESCO, and demand that the authorities act to stop the harassment of the social movement.

March 27, 2006, Guatemala

 

 

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