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Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA El Quetzal Human Rights News and Updates Issue #13 GHRC December 2012 Remilitarization gives rise to new tensions and violence in Guatemala On October 6, the Guatemalan army gunned down six indigenous protestors in Totonicapán and injured at least 30 more. The soldiers had advanced on thousands protesting unpopular government reforms and shot into the crowd. PHOTO The event was a tragic manifestation of one of the public’s worst fears since President Pérez Molina took office in January 2012: that the Guatemalan armed forces would resort to deadly force in order to repress and silence dissent, an experience all too familiar in the nation´s collective historic memory. Pérez Molina has made no secret of his intention to deploy the armed forces in US Marines train with Guatemalan Special Forces. Photo: Cpl. Daniel Negrete ever-greater numbers and ever-expanding roles — the military now overwhelm- Soldiers from the Kaminal Task Force operating in Guatemala City. Photo: El Periodico ingly dominates citizen security initia- tives. Whether walking down Guatemala the police during evictions and protests. troversial, and the reasons behind it are City’s central avenue, the “Sexta,” or Soldiers have also been deployed en much more complex than first meet the driving on any major highway, Guatema- masse to reduce crime in Guatemala eye. In fact, some argue that the motiva- lans are once again likely to encounter City´s poorest neighborhoods. tion for militarization has little to do with soldiers patrolling with semi-automatic providing security for Guatemalan citi- rifles or checking papers at military road- Seeing soldiers on the streets may not be zens – instead, it is about protecting the blocks. new in Guatemala, but for the first time status quo, ensuring impunity for the in over 15 years, current and former mili- armed forces and defending multinational The government has opened at least five tary personnel permeate the leadership of economic investments. The US govern- new military bases and outposts since the civilian institutions and dictate the ad- ment has been eager to offer support to beginning of 2012, and has sent soldiers ministration’s approach to governance. the Guatemalan military, despite the to fight drug cartels, to protect historic problematic implications. sites and nature reserves, and to back up This swift remilitarization is deeply con- Continued on Page 6 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Resistance in San José del Golfo Continues………….8 Letter from the Director ………..…...……….......2 Massacre in Totonicapán...……………….......10 Introducing GHRC’s Newest Staff Member…………3 Guatemala’s High Risk Courts Tackle Impunity .…..11 Women in Resistance Inspire Delegates….……….4 New Voiceless Speak Fund Recipients …………….12 Update from Santa Cruz Barillas…….……..….....5 Celebrating 30 years of GHRC..…………………….13 Human Rights UPDATE……………...……...……14 3321 12th Street NE Washington, DC 20017-4008 Tel: (202) 529-6599 www.ghrc-usa.org Page 1 The Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA GHRC Mission Letter from the Director The Guatemala Human As I think back over 2012, I can’t help but feel GHRC’s Women’s Rights delegation met with Rights Commission/USA deep admiration for our partners and allies in women from both Santa Cruz Barillas and San (GHRC) is a non-profit, Guatemala. For social movements and human Jose del Golfo, among many others, to learn grassroots, solidarity or- rights activists, the year presented a series of about their involvement in land rights struggles. ganization dedicated to almost continuous setbacks and challenges, and Participants were inspired to hear that, though promoting human rights in a level of tension not felt since the armed con- little progress has been made to meaningfully Guatemala and supporting flict. Yet what stands out to me in this issue of address high rates of violence against women, communities and activists the Quetzal, which covers some of the year’s women continue to play key leadership roles at who face threats and vio- most critical cases, is the Guatemalan people’s the grassroots level. lence. GHRC documents response to this new context, their solidarity and denounces abuses, across movements, their determination, and the Yet many of these women, and other human educates the international small victories that show hope for the future. rights defenders across the country, are being community, and advocates labeled “guerillas” and “terrorists” by pro- for policies that foster For GHRC, it was a year to take stock, to assess military activists and shadowy ultraconservative peace and justice. Guatemala’s new administration, and to create groups like the Foundation against Terrorism. new strategies to address the most pressing hu- The Guatemalan news media has lent itself as a Board of Directors man rights issues. It has also been an important forum for these slander campaigns, publishing year to celebrate the history of our organization. bold and direct threats against individuals and Christina del Castillo In September, accompanied by old friends and organizations, while generating an atmosphere Co-President new supporters, we celebrated 30 years of soli- of incredible tension and increased risk for activ- Patricia Foxen darity with Guatemala. We also expanded our ists. Co-President Guatemala City office by welcoming our newest Elliot Rosen staff member, Dania Rodriguez. We’ve also seen these conflicts play out in Gua- Treasurer temalan courts. GHRC has helped monitor Joan Dawson I have watched with growing concern as the abuses of the criminal justice system, as well as Secretary government has methodically expanded the mili- the progress of a number of emblematic cases Yolanda Alcorta tary’s control and tried to ensure protection and from the internal armed conflict in which the Andrés Cruz impunity for those who have violated human accused — high-level military officials – are John Leary rights. As the Human Rights Convergence, a seeking amnesty. The Constitutional Court is set Kathy Ogle coalition of Guatemalan organizations, notes in to rule on the issue; despite extensive legal Jean-Marie Simon their 2011 report, militarization isn’t only seeing precedents denying amnesty for crimes against Emily Willard the military on the street, but it’s the return of humanity, intense pressure may sway the highly- way of thinking, an institutional culture. politicized Court. Advisory Board For many communities, the intensity of ongoing Yet there are also positive signs. The High Risk Kit Gage social conflicts increased dramatically, and past Courts, which GHRC staff visited in October, Jennifer Harbury and present seemed to merge as the government have achieved important sentences in landmark Sr. Dianna Ortiz reverted to the rhetoric and, in some cases, the cases. Courageous judges are beginning to break Sr. Alice Zachmann brutal repression of the 1980s. The military’s through the wall of impunity that has existed for Staff massacre of indigenous protestors in Totoni- those with power, such as military officials, drug capán has become the emblematic example of traffickers, and corrupt politicians. Kelsey Alford-Jones the danger in using the military for citizen secu- Director rity. Yet we at GHRC have been inspired by the I have no doubt the new year will bring similar way that the international community continues challenges, and in response, growing social Kathryn Johnson to engage and act in ever greater numbers. Our movements. As human rights defenders renew Development and online petition in response to the massacre re- their struggles, GHRC will stand with them and Advocacy Coordinator ceived 10,000 signatures in just a few weeks. utilize all the tools at our disposal to promote Rob Mercatante positive change. This publication is one of those Director of the Guatemala The Guatemalan government’s approach to pro- tools, and I encourage you to share these stories Office gress – “development” by force and at all costs – to raise awareness and strengthen the movement has given rise to renewed attack on land rights, for solidarity with the people of Guatemala. Dania Rodriguez Administrative Assistant indigenous communities and civil rights. We have seen this in the state of siege in Santa Cruz With gratitude, Interns Barillas in May and the incarceration of a dozen community leaders who resisted a hydroelectric Christina McCarty dam project. It is reflected in the numerous ag- MJ Kirsch gressive attempts to evict the communities in resistance to a gold mine in San Jose del Golfo Kelsey Alford Jones and San Pedro Ayampuc. Page 2 Issue #13 / December 2012 The Threads of my History: Introducing Dania Rodríguez October 20, 1981 is a day that will for- cide in Guatemala, and without a doubt, ever mark my life. Only six years old, I the country is different. One can’t deny hardly understood what was happening, that some things have changed; neverthe- what it meant to go into exile. Surely the less, some of the issues that gave rise to departure, leaving behind one’s country the armed conflict haven’t changed sig- of origin, meant a lot for my older brother nificantly. and my parents who were much more rooted in Guatemala than my younger As in previous decades, the State contin- sisters or I. ues to be at the service of national and transnational economic powers seeking to Like any beginning in a new society, this accumulate capital, prioritizing their in- was especially complicated for my par- terests above those of the Guatemalan ents. The solidarity we received from the people, which in turn is persecuted and Mexican people was indescribable, and is criminalized. one of the reasons I feel such a strong connection to the country. As the years This situation has given rise to the hugely past, I learned that this same solidarity important challenge for human rights had also been shared with thousands of organizations – to continue the struggle families that, having walked for days initiated more than two decades ago to through the mountains, arrived in Mex- safeguard the respect for fundamental ico, fleeing an army that was destroying rights, rights that in Guatemala continue entire villages.

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