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> 2011 was the most violent year for human rights defenders in Guatemala since the end of the civil war. NISGUA's teams of on-the-ground international human rights monitors work to deter violence in communities, courtrooms and at public events. > Former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, who ruled during the bloodiest period of the war, is awaiting trial for genocide and crimes against humanity. > The Xalalá hydro-electric dam is rejected by 89% of the local population because it would displace thousands of indigenous people and damage farmlands and forests. > Almost 400 mining concessions have been granted to transnational gold, silver, nickel, and zinc companies in Guatemala, posing severe threats to rural communities' social and environmental well-being. | |
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printer-friendlyRecent News
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Guatemalans Rise Up, Shut Down Borders
NISGUA
6/8/04
Tens of Thousands of workers, farmers and indigenous people have begun 48 hours of protest against violent land evictions, regressive taxes, and the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Already, protestors have blocked highways and shut down the main border points with El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico. The blockades were carried out in spite of the threat of the President to use force if protestors prevented the free movement of the people. AN URGENT SOLIDARITY ACTION HAS BEEN CALLED IN DC FOR WEDNESDAY @ NOON (see below).
"The protestors are concentrated in several places and they have blocked the passage of vehicles going to the capital and several borders", said Luis González, the head of operations of the Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) of Chiquimula, 175 km to the east of the capital. "These different groups have indicated to us that they will remain there until they receive instructions from leaders in the capital. At the moment they are being pronounced peaceful." he added.
"This demonstrates the force of these organizations when we are united to fight for our rights," said the leader of the Committee for Peasant Unity (CUC), Daniel Pascual, one of more than 100 social, labor, farmer and indigenous organizations that have called for these massive demonstrations. The organizers are certain they have the capacity to resist the government for the 48 hours that they have planned to protest. Another group of demonstrators will block the access to the international airport in Aurora, to the south of the capital. Meanwhile, hundreds of vendors from markets and the informal sector, joining the protest, initiated a massive march in the center of the capital, where it is causing massive congestion.
The massive protests were called by a wide range of organizations representing women, farmers, workers, indigenous people, students, and others. The mobilization has been sparked, in part, by a spate of violent land evictions. Nearly 60% of Guatemalans live in poverty and many have been forced to take over vacant or unused lands as their only tool to ensure survival after wealthy plantation owners refuse to pay salaries. Despite promises to the contrary, since President Berger took office, at least twenty-three violent evictions have forced people off their land. The National Civil Police have set fire to crops, burned houses, arbitrarily detained some leaders. At least 1,500 campesino families have been left homeless as a result.
Protesters are also upset by the signing in Washington, DC last month of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which promises to deepen the economic devastation and strengthen the hold of wealthy land owners and global corporations.
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