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2007 has begun with a series of alarming attacks against Guatemalan human rights organizations. Send an email to the Guatemalan government today. more >>> | |
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Did You Know?
> Guatemala has the most unequal land distribution in the Western Hemisphere, with large landholders who comprise only 2% of the population possessing 70% of the productive lands. > Attacks against human rights defenders in Guatemala increased between 2004 and 2005. In 2005, El Movimiento Nacional por los Derechos Humanos documented 224 attacks against human rights defenders, in comparison with 122 attacks in 2004. > On March 30, 2006, the 11th anniversary of the signing of the indigenous accord, tens of thousands of workers, farmers and indigenous people marched in Guatemala City to demand the strengthening of indigenous rights, restriction of open pit mining licenses, and funds for the Ministry of Agriculture to purchase land for redistribution. | |
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Where and Who We Accompany
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Organization Accompaniment
Since the beginning of 2000, threats and direct attacks have increased
against Guatemalan human rights organizations, indigenous groups, exhumation
teams, and others who work for justice. In response to this situation,
and at the request of Guatemalan human rights leaders, G.A.P. initiated
its Organization Accompaniment Program. Its mandate is to provide accompaniment
for groups and/or individuals who are committed to the nonviolent social
movement in Guatemala for a democratic, multiethnic, and pluricultural
society, based on socioeconomic justice and full respect for human
rights and freedom of expression. G.A.P. respects the autonomy and
confidentiality of the organizations and does not intervene or take
a position in the affairs of the groups we accompany. The accompaniment
we provide must not be related to illegal activities of any kind.
Two G.A.P. accompaniers based in Guatemala City respond to short-term requests for accompaniment for organizations and individuals. Organization Accompaniment is designed to be flexible and to respond rapidly to the needs of those who request an international presence. Several Guatemalan organizations have asked that the accompanier spend a morning or an afternoon in their office for a number of weeks at a time. Accompaniers have also traveled to rural areas with exhumation teams and mental health support groups, either for quick visits or for longer periods of time. Individuals in the capital have also asked for members of the OA team to stay overnight in their homes.
Requests for Organization Accompaniment are evaluated to be sure they fit within our mandate, the security risk is acceptable, and that – based on our available human resources – it is a priority request.
The work of the Organization Accompaniment team – like that of the other accompaniment efforts G.A.P. participates in – is supported by NISGUA’s network of activists who are committed to responding to Action Alerts, as well as pressuring U.S. and Guatemalan officials to take action regarding issues of concern to the human rights community. Funding for the accompaniers comes from the Sponsoring Communities LAGOS and SEPA.
To learn more about the current political situation, contemporary trends, and historical context that has led to the need for the creation of the Organization Accompaniment team, visit our News and Analysis section.
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