Communities denounce Xalalá dam and oil exploitation
The following press releases have been translated by NISGUA as part of its ongoing human rights accompaniment of communities threatened by the Xalalá dam project. Press Release 1 25 October 2012 Guatemala Imposition of Development Projects Threatens the Life of Communities in Ixcán Considering that the Ministry of Energy and Mines recently announced a new bidding process for [...]
Totonicapán rising: Guatemalan military massacres K’iche protesters
The deceased, all wounded by firearm, according to Dr. Jorge Destarac, regional head of the National Forensic Science Institute, were eight in total: Rafael Batz (Pasajoc), Santos Nicolás Menchú (Pasajoc), Jesús Baltazar Caxaj Puac (Chipuac), Francisco Ordoñez (Chipuac), José Eusebio Puac Ordoñez (Chipuac), Arturo Félix Sapón Yax (Panquix), Domingo Caniz (Chipuac), and one more from Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán whose [...]
Indigenous protesters killed in Totonicapan, Guatemala
At least six protesters were killed and dozens wounded this afternoon in repression of a protest organized by the representatives of 48 indigenous K'iche communities of Totonicapan, Guatemala. According to Guatemala Indymedia Center and social movement organizations, the protesters were shot by Guatemalan military personnel. The autonomous indigenous government of the 48 cantones (communities) of Totonicapan had announced earlier this week its call for the blocking [...]
“Otro golpe al pueblo maya, al estilo mano dura”
Otro golpe al pueblo maya, al estilo mano duraPor la Asamblea de pueblos de Huehuetenango por la Defensa del Territorio, ADH - Huehuetenango, 4 de octubre de 2012La asamblea de pueblos de Huehuetenango –ADH-; a la opinan pública nacional e internacional; MANIFIESTA.Nuestra profunda indignación por los actos violentos sucedidos y lamentamos el fallecimiento de 3 hermanos y 32 heridos [...]
“Another blow to the Maya people, in the style of Mano Dura”
Another blow to the Maya people, in the style of Mano DuraStatement by the Departmental Assembly of HuehuetenangoOctober 4, 2012The Departmental Assembly of Huehuetenango -ADH- before national and international public opinion, DECLARES:Our profound outrage for the violent acts committed and mourning of the death of 3 brothers and 32 wounded. [Note: Updated reports indicate at least 7 [...]
Criminalization and Violence Erupt in the Shadow of the Escobal Mine
In recent weeks the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores has seen growing conflict around the installation of the Escobal silver mine, owned by the Canadian corporation Tahoe Resources. Local community organizers and allies from the Center for Legal, Environmental and Social Action (CALAS) denounced in August a wave of criminalization following their efforts to defend communities' right to [...]