Survivors share their reflections as Ríos Montt is tried for genocide…again
On October 13, the Ixil genocide trial is set to open once again against former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and José Mauricio Rodriguez Sánchez, former head of military intelligence, in the second attempt to retry the case after the 2013 trial, verdict, and sentence convicting Ríos Montt of genocide. While affirming the continued validity and historic importance of the 2013 [...]
Solidarity Update: September 2017
News recap: Solidarity in the streets; U.S. Speaking Tour, "Guatemalan Youth in Defense of Land and Life," kicks off on October 9th; Thousands call for resignation of Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Congressional representatives; Grieving the loss of Ixil genocide survivor Jacinto de Paz, witness in the trial against Ríos Montt; Families call for justice on International Day of the [...]
In their own words: JODVID on the the importance of youth leadership in the movement to defend life and land
[En español aquí] A week ahead of the launch of our 2017 speaking tour, “Guatemalan Youth in Defense of Land and Life,” NISGUA sat down with the invited organization to learn more about the young activists who form part of the environmental justice organization, JODVID – Youth Organized Youth in Defense of Life. Visit our website for more information on [...]
En sus propias palabras: JODVID habla de la importancia de la juventud en el movimiento en defensa del territorio y la vida
[English here] Con solo una semana hasta el inicio de la gira de charlas de 2017, “La juventud guatemalteca en defensa del territorio y de la vida”, NISGUA entrevistó a la organización invitada para conocer a las y los jóvenes activistas quienes forman parte de la organización guatemalteca de justicia ambiental, JODVID – Jóvenes Organizados en Defensa de la Vida. Para más [...]
Political crisis as corrupt officials seek to undermine advancements in the fight against impunity
On August 27, Guatemalan President, Jimmy Morales, declared Iván Velásquez, head of the UN anti-impunity commission, the CICIG, "persona non grata" in Guatemala and requested his immediate expulsion. This decision came on the heels of a request by the CICIG and the Guatemalan public prosecutor’s office to strip Morales of his political immunity, in order to deepen their investigation [...]
Accompanier Perspectives: 2017 Political Crisis in Guatemala
Guatemala plunged into a political crisis this month as President Jimmy Morales attempted to circumvent a criminal investigation into his campaign finances by declaring the head of the UN-sponsored Commision (CICIG) persona non grata, a decision that sparked widespread public outcry. A second wave of outrage followed over legislation passed by Congressional representatives. The legislation, popularly called the #PactodeCorruptos (Pact [...]