Accompanier Perspectives: Guatemalan History – The coup, the conflict, and the consequences

In her first letter from Guatemala, Claire Bransky provides a brief history of Guatemala and how its people have been affected by forces of racism, exploitation, and the US's imperialism. As a volunteer with NISGUA's Guatemala Accompaniment Project (GAP), Claire provides accompaniment through the international coalition ACOGUATE to Guatemalan [...]

2017-12-07T21:26:30+00:00November 23rd, 2017|Accompanier Perspectives|

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 [...]

2017-12-08T20:36:19+00:00October 12th, 2017|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

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 [...]

Twelve communities of Tzalbal continue in their legal struggle for their lands

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accords in Guatemala, which brought an official end to the 36-year internal armed conflict. The Accords not only promised a more equitable distribution of land, increased attention on social needs, and an end to the violence that [...]

Plaintiffs in the Dos Erres trial denounces faulty media coverage in the trial against Ríos Montt

Former Guatemalan dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt is currently facing charges of genocide for his role as the intellectual author of the 1982 massacre that killed more than 200 people in Las Dos Erres, Petén. While he was convicted in 2013 for genocide against the Ixil people, the sentence was [...]

2017-12-11T11:13:59+00:00December 5th, 2016|Dos Erres, Justice and accountability|

CALDH reports from the closed-door retrial of Ríos Montt

The following are translations from the Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH), plaintiff in the genocide case against former dictator Ríos Montt and his Head of Military Intelligence, Rodríguez Sánchez. CALDH and the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR) are currently participating in the closed-door retrial of Ríos [...]

2019-12-27T17:54:26+00:00May 11th, 2016|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Tribunal hears testimonies of massacres in Nebaj, Quiché

The following is a translation of reports from the Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH), one of the plaintiff organizations in the genocide case against former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and his former head of military intelligence, José Mauricio Rodriguez Sánchez. While witnesses and plaintiff organizations continue to uphold the validity [...]

2020-01-01T21:26:35+00:00April 19th, 2016|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

ACOGUATE turns 15!

This year, ACOGUATE honors 15 years providing a physical international presence to threatened Guatemalan human rights defenders as they work towards social justice and transformation. In 2000, NISGUA joined international accompaniment organizations from Canada and Austria to form ACOGUATE, drawing from experiences accompanying refugee communities during their return to [...]

Genocide survivors respond to congressional resolution to deny genocide

"We are thousands of Guatemalan victims of grave human rights violations committed during the internal armed conflict. The only thing we ask for is justice."  - Communique from survivors in response to congressional resolution to deny genocide Genocide survivors gather in front of the Congress of the Republic. On [...]

2019-12-27T17:56:08+00:00May 19th, 2014|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Genocide retrial set for January 2015; national courts debate possibility of amnesty

On November 5, almost six months since the highly contested decision by Guatemala's Constitutional Court (CC) to annul the genocide sentence, Guatemalan courts announced a date for the retrial of former General Ríos Montt. Guatemala's High Risks Court “B” affirmed that it has the jurisdiction to hear the case but said [...]

2019-12-27T17:57:22+00:00December 12th, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

“Justice for genocide: A survivor’s story” visits Laramie, Denver and the Bay Area

The "Justice for genocide: A survivor's story" fall speaking tour left Wisconsin on November 13 to embark on the final stops of the tour: Laramie, WY; Denver, CO; and the Bay Area, CA. The Wyoming Guatemala Accompaniment Project (WYGap) welcomed tour speaker, Association for Justice and Reconciliation President Anselmo [...]

2019-12-27T17:57:34+00:00December 1st, 2013|Justice and accountability, Tour|

“Justice for genocide: A survivor’s story” visits the Midwest

“We are here in the United States asking for your solidarity. Borders divide us, but justice is a fundamental pillar of democracy” -Anselmo Roldán to the international community From November 7-11, NISGUA visited six Midwestern cities with Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR) president Anselmo Roldán.  The Midwest leg [...]

2017-12-08T21:38:22+00:00November 18th, 2013|Justice and accountability, Tour|

Survivors submit complaint against Guatemalan state for denial of justice in genocide case

Genocide survivors submit a complaint before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington DC on November 6, 2013. Photo: AJR INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE GUATEMALAN STATE FOR DENIAL OF JUSTICE IN THE GENOCIDE CASE Washington D.C., November 6, 2013 - Today, survivors of the Guatemalan genocide, along with [...]

2019-12-27T17:57:52+00:00November 7th, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

“Justice for genocide: A survivor’s story” DC & Tucson tour stops

On October 30, NISGUA began our tour with Association for Justice and Reconciliation president, Anselmo Roldán Aguilar. After a day of meeting with key state and congressional representatives, Anselmo gave his first presentation at the Unitarian Unitarian Church of Arlington. The event, hosted by Partners for Arlington and Guatemala, [...]

2019-12-27T17:58:03+00:00November 5th, 2013|Justice and accountability, Tour|

“No Impunity! No Amnesty!”: Organizations react to news of CC ruling

Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre splashed "CC brings José Efraín Ríos Montt closer to amnesty" across its front page headlines, with the corresponding article publishing excerpts of a leaked ruling issued by the Constitutional Court. Plaintiffs and lawyers still have not received notification of the decision at the time of [...]

2019-12-27T18:28:12+00:00October 23rd, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Justice for Genocide campaign: Presentation to the AJR

This past spring, thousands of you participated in our international "Justice for Genocide" photo and pledge campaign in support of the brave survivors of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR). NISGUA staff recently shared your photos and messages with the members of the AJR during their national assembly, [...]

AJR Declaration to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

The Association for Justice and Reconciliation addressed the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City today. We are honored to provide the exclusive English translation of the declaration. Read the Spanish version here.  Association for Justice and Reconciliation Declaration to the United Nations Permanent Forum [...]

2019-12-27T17:59:32+00:00May 22nd, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Genocide trial sentence overturned; CALDH press conference called sentence, “An opportunity for peace”

The Guatemalan Constitutional Court emitted a resolution late Monday evening to annul the genocide trial verdict and revert proceedings back to April 19. Judge Barrios of the First Court for High Risk Crimes "A" has 24 hours after being notified of the resolution this morning to comply with the [...]

2019-12-27T18:30:18+00:00May 21st, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Genocide on Trial, Day 24/25: Defense incensed and exposed, Judge moves to concluding arguments

NISGUA continues live coverage of the trial in Guatemala of Efraín Ríos Montt and José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez for genocide and crimes against humanity. Read our previous summaries: Day 1, 2, 3, 4/5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-14, 12, 13/14, 15/16, 17/18, 19, 20-1, 20-2, 21, Constitutional Court decisions, trial [...]

2019-12-27T18:01:13+00:00May 9th, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Genocide on Trial, Day 23: Proceedings continue, trial will reconvene on May 7

NISGUA continues live coverage of the trial in Guatemala of Efraín Ríos Montt and José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez for genocide and crimes against humanity. Read our previous summaries: Day 1, 2, 3, 4/5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-14, 12, 13/14, 15/16, 17/18, 19, 20-1, 20-2, 21, Constitutional Court decisions, trial [...]

2019-12-27T18:01:25+00:00May 3rd, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Genocide trial still suspended: Supporters remain hopeful, public dialogue continues

NISGUA continues ongoing coverage of the trial in Guatemala of Efraín Rios Montt and Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez for genocide and crimes against humanity.The air in Guatemala is tensely optimistic as various injunctions and appeals related to the fate of the genocide trial are one by one being resolved in Guatemalan [...]

2019-12-27T18:02:11+00:00April 29th, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|

Constitutional Court issues rulings, ongoing questions about how they impact genocide trial proceedings

NISGUA continues ongoing coverage of the trial in Guatemala of Efraín Rios Montt and Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez for genocide and crimes against humanity.Survivors, lawyers and human rights groups remain hopeful that the Constitutional Court will clear the legal obstacles impeding the conclusion of the genocide case, but lawyers interpreted today's [...]

2019-12-27T18:02:23+00:00April 24th, 2013|Genocide Trial, Justice and accountability|
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