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Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala
In 1996, Guatemala’s 36-year civil war finally came to an end with the signing of Peace Accords which laid the ground for democratic governance and respect for human rights. Despite the changes brought about by the Peace Accords, serious human rights violations continue to be committed in Guatemala and, in particular, human rights defenders are assassinated, threatened or otherwise attacked. In the vast majority of such cases, effective investigations have not been carried out and the perpetrators are never brought to justice.
The Human Rights Defenders Protection Unit of the National Movement for Human Rights, a Guatemalan non-governmental organization, reported almost 200 attacks against human rights defenders in 2007. Since 2000 the number of attacks against human rights defenders has increased dramatically, largely due to the failure to effectively prosecute such crimes. Defenders at particular risk are those upholding economic, social and cultural rights and those seeking accountability for past human rights crimes.
Issues Facing Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala and Priority Areas of Work
Illegal Security Organizations and Commission to End Impunity
One of the most serious issues facing Guatemalan human rights defenders is the continued existence of illegal and clandestine security organizations, which are responsible for a large number of threats and attacks against human rights defenders. These organized crime like groups allegedly have extensive links with many public institutions in Guatemala. They were supposed to have been dismantled following the Peace Accords, yet they continue to operate. The Guatemalan government has twice signed an agreement with the United Nations to establish an international commission to investigate and assist in the prosecution of such groups (CICIG). On August 1, 2007, the Guatemalan Congress voted to establish the commission with a mandate until at least the end of 2009. See our separate page for more information.
Protecting human rights defenders seeking justice for past crimes
Human rights defenders are critical in attempts to uncover and redress past human rights violations. The majority of serious human rights violations committed during Guatemala’s 36 year civil war, including allegations of crimes against humanity and genocide, remain uninvestigated and the perpetrators remain free. The impunity surrounding such grave crimes encourages violence now. Many brave human rights defenders withstand threats, attacks and assassinations of colleagues to seek justice for these crimes in both Guatemalan and Spanish courts. The alleged perpetrators of these crimes include General Efraín Ríos Montt, who took power by coup before the worst period of human rights violations in the early 1980s. He and others remain powerful public officials. See our separate page for more information.
Latest News
Demand Investigation into Killing of Indigenous Guatemalan Lawyer Fausto Otzín
Take action now to urge Guatemalan authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing Fausto Otzín, a celebrated indigenous rights activist.
11/19/2009
HRF addresses Forum on Criminalization of Defenders in Guatemala
Human Rights Defenders Program Manager, Andrew Hudson, gave the keynote address to an international forum on criminalization of human rights defenders in Guatemala - drawing on HRF's successes in combating this problem in Colombia.Read speech
11/11/2009
Charges Against Guatemalan LGBT Activist Dismissed
On September 29, 2009, a Guatemalan judge dismissed all charges against LGBT activist Jorge Lopez. Lopez had been charged with involvement in the assault of a sex worker; a person who he had actively worked to protect. Prosecutors may still appeal, but we are confident that their petition will be denied and recognized as an attempt to discourage López?s human rights advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community.Letter of thanks to Guatemalan Authorities
Read about Lopez's case
Petition regarding Lopez's Case
10/16/2009
Guatemalan Government Should Investigate Attacks Against Jesus Tecu and Norma Cruz
In a letter sent to Guatemala's Attorney General, Human Rights First and other international organizations call upon him to investigate death threats against leading advocates for transitional justice and women's rights.Read Letter (in Spanish)
10/6/2009
Groundbreaking Prosecution of Forced Disappearance in Guatemala
For the first time a Guatemalan court has convicted a perpetrator, Felipe Cusanero, for the crime of forced disappearance.Listen to Senior Associate Andrew Hudson on KPFK Los Angeles Pacifica radio on the significance of this case
Read article in VOA News
Listen to Senior Associate Andrew Hudson on VOA News 9/11/2009
Prevent Guatemalan Publisher from Serving Jail Time
Raul Figueroa Sarti was recently sentenced to one year in prison for allegedly publishing a photo without authorization. Figueroa is a well-known, human rights-focused publisher in Guatemala. His prosecution appears baseless given that the photographer reportedly consented to use of the photo. Urge Guatemala's Attorney General to support Figueroa's appeal against his conviction.Read HRF Petition in English
| in Spanish
8/11/2009
Human Rights and Impunity in Guatemala: Conclusions of HRF Trip
HRF Senior Associate Andrew Hudson took a recent trip to Guatemala to investigate the state of human rights and the situation of human rights defenders there.Read HRF Press Release in English
| in SpanishListen to Andrew Hudson's FGER radio interview (in Spanish)
Watch Andrew Hudson on Guatevision TV (in Spanish)
7/28/2009
Press Coverage of HRF Trip to Guatemala
Read article in Prensa Libre (in Spanish)
Read article in El Periodico (in Spanish)
Read article in El Pais (in Spanish)
7/27/2009
HRF Hosts Event on UN Commission in Guatemala
On July 7, 2009, Human Rights First and the International Peace Institute co-hosted a policy forum, Confronting Organized Crime: Learning from the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).See photos and summary of event
Read more about CICIG
7/24/2009