Makrina Gudiel: Seeking Justice for Crimes of the Past in Guatemala
From March 31-April 11, GHRC will accompany Makrina Gudiel on a tour on the East Coast of the US.
Background on Makrina | Schedule of Events
Many Guatemalans lost loved ones during that country’s civil war. For Makrina, it was her brother, who was disappeared in 1983 by state forces and is included in the infamous Military Diary, a logbook that documented the kidnap, torture, and murder of 183 people considered to be linked to anti-government activity.
Her family brought her brother’s case to the Inter-American Commission in 2004, and just days later, her father was murdered. The government never carried out an adequate investigation into the crime, and on February 5, 2014, Makrina testified before the Inter-American Court about the case.
In 2003, Makrina ran for a seat in congress with the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity Party and has combated corruption as a member of her city council in the town of Cruce de la Esperanza, Escuintla. She serves as a member and coordinator of the Network of Guatemalan Women Human Rights Defenders.
Makrina will explain why her family has fought for justice for these crimes, despite ongoing death threats against them. She will also discuss international solidarity with Guatemala over the last 30 years, including the sanctuary movement of the 1980s and the decades-long struggle to end US military support for repressive regimes in Guatemala. GHRC staff will provide interpretation and background information..
Schedule of Events
April 1: Amherst, MA
4:00 pm: University of Massachusetts Amherst, 301 Herter Hall
April 2: Dartmouth & New Bedford
2:30-4:30 pm: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Blue and Gold Room, UMD Campus Center (285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA)
6:00-8:00 pm: Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, 1532 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
April 3: Providence, RI
7:30 pm: English for Action (EFA) event at William D’Abate Elementary School, 60 Kossuth St.
April 5: New York, NY
6:00 pm: St. Peter’s Church 619 Lexington Ave. New York
April 7: Scranton, PA
7:00 pm: The University of Scranton, The Rose Room (509) of Brennan Hall
April 8: Washington, DC & Fairfax, VA
12:00-1:30 pm: The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), 1666 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC
4:30-6:30 pm: George Mason University, Research A 163, Fairfax Campus
April 9: Baltimore, MD
4:30-6:30 pm: College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Kathleen Feeley International Center, Multipurpose Room (basement of Meletia Hall), 4701 North Charles Street
April 10: Ashland, VA
7:00-9:00 pm: Randolph-Macon College, Dollar Tree Community Room (Room 201), Brock Commons (304 Henry St.)
April 11: Washington, DC
12:00 pm: Society for International Development Conference Room, 1101 15th Street, NW, 3rd Floor
6:00 pm: American University, Ward Circle Building (lower level)