Canada / Guatemala SOLIDARITY NETWORK Canada / Central America and Mexico

URGENT ACTION NETWORK GUATEMALA **

Former members of para-military groups (PACs) rape women, kidnap children, burn village, attempt lynching; State of Alarm continues

Dear Friends,

Recent events in Guatemala have indicated a return to past levels of military control. On June 20, the Guatemalan government issued a "State of Alarm", after 78 criminals escaped from a maximum security prison. Although protective measures are warranted, the State of Alarm and the suspension of basic rights and freedoms have created an environment of fear and abuse, symptomatic of an historical problem of excessive military control of civilian activities.

The army and both branches of the police have increased their presence and are conducting oftentimes random or secretive searches for the escaped prisoners. The police now has the power to detain people without a judicial order. The result is the loss of basic freedoms, such as the loss of the right to do whatever is not prohibited by law (libertad de accion) and the loss of the right to move within the country (libertad de locomocion).

Other important freedoms suspended are the freedom of association (derecho de reunion) and the freedom of expression (libertad de emission del pensamiento). Along with an increased military and police presence, there has been a resurgence in activities of former paramilitary groups (ex-PACs). On June 22nd, IPES (The Institute on Political, Economic and Social Studies) denounced an attack against two of their investigators, other researchers, representatives from UVOC (Union of Campesino Organizations of the Verapaces) and Carlos Morales, a well-known campesino leader who works for UVOC and CNOC (Nacional Coordination of Campesino Organizations).

The group, which had just visited four displaced families in El Repollal, in the municipality of Purulha, were stopped on their way and attacked. Mildred Lopez and Mario Chocoj, from IPES, said that around 20 ex-PACs violently beat Morales and then tried to lynch him, but were unable to find the gasoline to do so. Only days later, in Los Cimientos, Chajul, in Quiche, 30 ex-PACs set fire to 86 homes, raped three women, kidnapped seven children and killed several animals.

A community representative said that the armed men were taking revenge for a land dispute.

Background Information

Both of these attacks are related to land disputes and the power the para-militaries still display in Guatemala, a relic of the civil war years. For years, community and campesino organizations working with CNOC have been trying to resolve land conflicts and promote compliance with the Peace Accords.

Most of the land disputes date back to the 1980s when the internal war forcibly displaced thousands of people and communities from their land. Land issues can be very complex, especially where there are disputes within or between communities or even families. In the 1980s, the military used PACs to exacerbate existing land tensions between communities. During the offensive against the guerrillas in the area, in 1982, people had to leave their homes and flee to Mexico; the Army gave the land to the PACs. Now, the head of the ex-PACs has said that the owners have to leave.

He said "They do not have the right to live here. We will not allow anybody else here, whoever dares to enter will be in danger. We do not recognize the authority of the police, nor the judges, even less the authority of MINUGUA (United Nations Mission in Guatemala)". The displaced people are now staying in another community, San Marcos Cuml?, sleeping in the church and in the school. They said that they do not have food and they are afraid of a new attack.

The ex-PACs also threatened journalists who were trying to cover the events. Domingo Tercero, from Al Dia, and Herlindo Zet, from Siglo Veintiuno, said "the ex-PACs wanted to hit us and they said that they would lynch us. Thank God we escaped alive."

Information was obtained mainly from NISGUA (Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala), GAM (Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo), PAQG-SUD (Proyecto Acompaniamiento Quebec-Guatemala Sud), and Reportes Diarios IPES (Instituto de Estudios Politicos, Economicos y Sociales).

Action Request - We ask you to contact the Public Ministry, urging them to investigate these attacks and protect the communities, the researchers, and those working with CNOC and UVOC.

In addition, we ask that you contact President Portillo, to demand an end to the state of alarm, and an end to military control.

Please send your messages with copy to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and to the Canadian Ambassador in Guatemala.

Please contact the Government of Canada to express your concerns and to ask for diplomatic pressure to protect human rights activists and all Guatemalans from abuses. They are happening when the population is most vulnerable due to suspension of basic freedoms as a result of the State of Alarm. You could do it by just adding a cover note asking for monitoring of the human rights situation by our Embassy in Guatemala, when you send them a copy of your messages to the Government of Guatemala.

Please share your concerns with other Canadians by sending Letters to the Editor of your local newspaper, to the local radio stations or TV stations, or simply sharing copies of this Urgent Action with community groups. Guatemalan Addresses

If you encounter difficulties sending your messages to the Guatemalan government, try sending them to the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala, asking them to distribute them for you.
President of the Republic, Lic. Alfonso Portillo Cabrera
6a. Avenida 'A' 4-18, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 239 0090 or 011 502 239 0076
(please note, these are a new numbers)
e-mail: COPREDEH@GUATE.NET or SECGRALP@TERRA.COM.GT

please send with copy to:

Hon. John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs - CANADA
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
fax 1 613 996 3443
e-mail:MANLEJ@PARL.GC.CA or MANLEY.J@PARL.GC.CA

If possible, please send a copy of your letter to:
Ambassador Allan Culham
Canadian Embassy in Guatemala
13 Calle 8-44
Zona 10, Edyma Plaza, 8 Nivel
Ciudad de Guatemala,Guatemala
fax: 011 502 333 6161 GTMLA@DFAIT-MAECI.GC.CA

Lic. Adolfo Gonzalez Rodas, Fiscal General de la Republica [Attorney General} Ministerio Publico [Ministry of Justice]
6? Avenida 3-11, zona 4,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
fax: 011 502 221 2789
e-mail: BAXEB@MPLEX.GOB.GT

Sr. Byron Barrientos, Ministro de Gobernacion [Minister of the Interior]
6a Avenida 4-64
Zona 4, Ciudad de Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Fax: 011 502 362 0239 e-mail: MINGOBER@INTELNET.NET.GT

We strongly suggest that you send a copy of your letter to your Member of Parliament If possible, please send us a copy of your messages to the governments and your letters to the
Editor: Social Justice Committee - Canada (SJC)
1857 de Maisonneuve West, Suite 320
Montreal, QC, H3H 1J9
CANADA
fax: (514) 933 9517
e-mail:sjc@web.ca

We can forward your messages to Guatemalan NGOs. -

Thank you for your solidarity!

The following sample letters were prepared by NISGUA

Dear Sir;

I write to express my deep concern about the current state of alarm in Guatemala. There is reason to believe that the removal of constitutional rights has threatened the safety of the population and contributed to the breakdown of the rule of law. This past week, two separate attacks by groups of ex-PAC members have emphasized the need to end the state of alarm and reverse the militarization that has been taking hold nationwide.

I urge you to ensure that the perpetrators of recent egregious crimes in Purulha, Baja Verapaz and Chajul, Quiche are found and prosecuted, and the victims' safety ensured throughout. Furthermore, I implore you to support an immediate end to the state of alarm, which has only provoked more fear among the population.

On June 22, approximately 20 ex-PAC members near El Repollal Suquinay, Purulha attacked several investigators from the IPES and campesino leaders from the CNOC after they had visited with displaced families in the region. One activist, Carlos Morales, was beaten especially harshly as part of an attempted lynching. Just days later, a group of 30 ex-PAC members brutally attacked the community of Los Cimientos, Chajul, burning 86 homes, raping three women, kidnapping 7 children, and killing animals. These incidents highlight the growing instability in Guatemalan society, a problem which will not improve by suspending basic constitutional rights.

Although protection measures are warranted after the prison break in Escuintla, the state of alarm and suspension of constitutional rights have only created an environment of intimidation and abuse. Allowing arbitrary detentions can easily lead to abuses and an inappropriate assumption of authority by police, military, and others. The recent attacks are of utmost seriousness, and indicate that many Guatemalans still live in fear, which the state of alarm is only exacerbating. I urge the government to investigate and fully prosecute the cases mentioned, while ensuring the safety of all those involved. I further believe that the an immediate end to the state of alarm is needed in the country.

Thank you for your consideration and action regarding these issues.

Sincerely,

Carta ejemplo:

Estimado Me dirijo a Usted para expresar mi profunda preocupacion por el estado de alarma en Guatemala. Es evidente que el retiro de derechos constitucionales amenaza la seguridad de la poblacion y ampara el desmoranomiento del estado de derecho en Guatemala.

La semana pasada, dos ataques distintos, realizados por ex integrantes de las Patrullas de Autodefensa Civil (PAC), han subrayado la necesidad de terminar el estado de alarma y reversar la creciente militarizacion en el pais. Le pido que asegure la prosecucion de los perpetradores de los actos criminales recientes en Purulha, Baja Verapaz y Chajul, Quiche, y que garantice la seguridad personal de las victimas, durante todo el proceso.

Ademas, exijo que apoye un fin inmediato al estado de alarma, el cual solamente ha provocado un incremento del miedo por parte de la poblacion. El dia 22 de junio, en la vecindad de El Repollal Suquinay, Purulha, aproximadamente 20 ex integrantes de PAC agredieron a varios investigadores del Instituto de Estudios Politicos y Sociales (IPES) y lideres campesinos de la Coordinadora Nacional de Organizaciones Campesinos (CNOC), despues que estos habian visitado a unas familias desplazadas en la cercania. Un activista, Carlos Morales, recibio golpes especialmente atroces en todo el cuerpo, como parte de un intento de linchamiento. Pocos dias despues, en la comunidad de Los Cimientos, Chajul, un grupo de 30 expatrulleros quemo 86 viviendas, violo a tres mujeres, secuestro a siete ninios y mato a varios animales de la aldea. Estos incidentes hacen resaltar la creciente instabilidad en la sociedad guatemalteca, un problema que no se mejorara suspendiendo los derechos constitucionales basicos.

Esta claro que dada la fuga de reos en Escuintla se necesitan medidas de seguridad, sin embargo el estado de alarma y la suspension de los derechos constitucionales solo han creado un ambiente de abuso e intimidacion. El permitir la detencion arbitraria de personas, facilmente lleva a abusos y asuncion de poder inapropiada por parte de la policia, el ejercito, y otros. Los ataques recientes son de la mayor seriedad, e indican que muchos guatemaltecos siguen viviendo con miedo, amplificado por el estado de alarma. Exijo que el gobierno investigue y procese los casos referidos, y a la vez, que garantice la seguridad de las personas involucradas.

Ademas, creo fuertemente que el pais requiere un termino inmediato al estado de alarma. Le agradezco su atencion a la presente y su accion acerca de estos asuntos.

Muy atentamente,