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Recent Actions

Evictions, Violence, Hunger and Death in the Polochic Valley
Q'eqchi' Maya families are continuing to be threatened as part of a series of evictions carried out by the Chabil Utzaj sugar company in the Polochic Valley.

Reparations Needed for the 33 Communities affected by the Chixoy Dam
On March 17, Guatemalan communities affected by the Chixoy dam project are demanding the government finalize the Reparations Plan signed last year.

Action Archive

2010

2009

2008

2007

2010

Leader of Health Worker's Union Shot
Mateo López, general secretary of the local section of the Health Worker's Union and a member of the coalition Frente Nacional de Lucha (FNL), was shot five times on his way to a union meeting in Guatemala City. López survived but remains in danger of suffering further attacks.  
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Maya Kaq’chikel Artist, Teacher, and Spiritual Guide Tortured, and Killed
On August 25, 2010, Maya Kaq’chikel teacher and artist Leonardo Lisandro Guarcax, age 32, was kidnapped en route to work. Leonardo was the director of a school in Chuacruz, Sololá and coordinator for the Sotz’il Jay Cultural Center. He is the third member of his family to be killed for his work at the Cultural Center.

Community member shot for resisting mining activity
Colom Declared Suspension of Marlin Mine Operations, in compliance with a recent Inter-American Commission ruling. Two Weeks Later, Diodora Hernandez was shot in the head, and others were physically intimidated.

Petition and Call in Support of Jennifer Harbury
Join GHRC in supporting Jennifer Harbury, who continues her 18-year struggle for resolution in the case of Efraín Bámaca, as well as for the other human rights defenders who are accompanying the ten paradigmatic cases now in Guatemalan courts.

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2009

Four Human Rights Defenders Murdered
In the first two months of 2010, there have been 17 attacks on defenders including four assassinations. Demand the full investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the murder of Guatemalan defenders Evelinda Ramirez, German Curup, Octavio Roblero, and Juan Antonio Chen and to protect the rights of defenders to continue their work without intimidation or violent attacks.

Four Trade Unionists Killed in the Last Two Months
December 16: Thus far in 2009, six unionists have been killed in Guatemala; 9 were killed in 2008; and two in 2007, making Guatemala the second most dangerous country in Latin America for unionists. In the past two months alone, four unionists were murdered.

Women's Rights Activist Norma Cruz Threatened
October 6: Norma Cruz, renowned Guatemalan women's rights defender and founder of the Survivor's Foundation, received death threats on September 19th against her daughter in retaliation for Norma's work supporting a rape victim.

Human Rights Lawyer Jesus Tecú Osorio Receives Threat
October 6: Jesus Tecú Osorio, survivor of the Rio Negro massacre of March 13, 1982 and key witness in national and international genocide hearings received calls on September 14 threatening the abduction and torture of his children.

Progressive Publisher Arrested on False Charges
August 6, 2009: Raul Figueroa Sarti was sentenced to one year in prison for alleged copyright infringement. Figueroa is a well-known progressive voice, publishing books on historic memory, mass grave exhumations, and femicide. His sentence was based on publishing a photo on the cover of a book, supposedly without the permission of the photographer; however, Figueroa testified that he had permission to use the photo (with the photographer’s name credited on the back cover).

Kidnapping of Guatemalan Lawyer Gladys Monterroso
March 25, 2009: Gladys Monterroso, lawyer, University professor, and Secretary General of the Encuentro por Guatemala party, and wife of Human Rights Ombudsman Sergio Morales, was kidnapped in Guatemala City, interrogated and burned with cigarettes on different parts of her body. No ransom was demanded but the kidnapping occured just after the Ombudsman released his report on documents found in the Police Archives.

Death Threats Against FAFG Staff - CANCELLED - These threats were found not to be legitimate
January 14, 2009

 

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2008

Attacks Against Miguel Albizures
November 11, 2008: Threatening attack against activist and videographer Miguel Arturo Albizures Pedrosa, the Vice-President of media organization Asociación COMUNICARTE.

Threats Against Family of Norma Cruz
October 30, 2008: On October 19 and October 23, 2008, a family member of the director of the Survivors' Foundation received death threats. GHRC is concerned about the safety of Norma Cruz, her family, and her colleagues at the Survivors’ Foundation.

Israel Romero Estacuy Murdered
September 21, 2008: The Secretary General of the union of the municipality of Retalhuleu, Israel Romero Estacuy, was shot and killed in the restaurant where he was eating lunch. The attack, one of many recent acts of violence against community and environmental leaders, prompted further outcry over impunity in Guatemala.

Yuri Melini Shot
September 10, 2008: Yuri Melini, environmental activist, lawyer, and Director of Center of Legal Action in Environment and Social issues (CALAS) was shot outside his house in Guatemala city at 7:30am by masked gunmen.

Bishop Ramazzini Threatened
April 3, 2008

Campaigner for Justice Attacked
March 14, 2008

Death Penalty to be Reinstated in Guatemala
March 5, 2008

Help End the Killings of Women in Guatemala
January 28, 2008

 

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2007

Community Leader Killed
December 13, 2007

Guatemalan Union Leader Killed
September 27, 2007

Son of Human Rights Defender Murdered
September 10, 2007

Urge Senators to Cosponsor Resolution on Femicides
June 12, 2007

FAFG Staff and Families Threatened
May 30, 2007

Five Human Rights Defenders Threatened
May 7, 2007

Sign Petition to Try Rios Montt for Genocide
April 16, 2007

Four Development Organizations Raided
April 11, 2007

Human Rights Organizations Attacked and Threatened
February 28, 2007

 

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