Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

COMMUNITY LEADER ASSASSINATED

April 12, 2006

According to information received from the Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH), at 7:00 A.M. on Sunday, April 2, MEREGILDA SUCHITE (49) was brutally murdered in Tuticopote Abajo, Olopa, Chiquimula. She and her husband, LONGINO DIAZ, were on their way to Mass at community’s church when a gunman opened fire, shooting Ms. Suchite six times. The attacker then struck her body four times with a machete (once in her eyes, once in the mouth, and twice in her lungs). These acts killed her, leaving her eight children motherless.

Ms. Meregilda Súchite, a midwife, was one of the leaders of the community, and her husband is a spritual guide. Both have participated in diverse and important ways in defending and promoting human rights. Ms. Súchite participated actively in the Network of Women Observers of Human Rights, promoted by the CALDH in the Ch’orti’ region. She also attended Days of Observation held March 28 in Olopa, receiving reports on land conflicts in the area. For this reason, CALDH believes her murder must be viewed in the context of her and her husband’s work to defend human rights in their community.

CALDH believes that the brutality with which she was murdered demonstrates a clear intent to send a message of intimidation to anyone in the region who, seeking justice, witnesses and reports the incidents occuring in the region.

César Pérez González is suspected of the murder. Pérez González works in the Integral Security Service (SIS), which provides security for the Banrural de Esquipulas. Residents of the community say he has not been arrested but remains in his house, where he is armed and is threatening to kill other another member of the Díaz Súchite family.

REQUESTED ACTION:

• Express grave concern about the brutal murder of Meregilda Súchite.
• Express serious concern for the members of the Díaz Súchite family, who are continuing to be threatened.
• Urge the Guatemalan authorities to thoroughly and immediately investigate the murder and arrest the suspect, ensuring that he does not inflict further harm on the family.
• Urge the Guatemalan government to bring Meregilda Súchite’s killer to justice.
• Demand that the Guatemalan government to guarantee the safety of all human rights monitors and defenders.

SEND 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

Salutation: Etimado Fiscal General/Dear Sir
Attorney General
Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General Fiscalia General del Ministerio Publico
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 Gobernacion
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

SEND COPIES TO:

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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