Inter Pares counterpart attacked in Guatemala
For an update on this situation, please click here.
On May 7, 2007 a staff member of Inter Pares' long-term counterpart Project Counselling Service (PCS) was attacked and assaulted. On May 17 this same person received a phone call referring to the assault and threatening to kill the entire PCS team. We would like to ask you to join us in supporting PCS and other national and international organizations in Guatemala who are under attack for promoting respect for human rights and justice.
As described in our November 2006 bulletin, Inter Pares is working with PCS to address the issue of sexual violence against women in the context of armed conflict. At the time of the first attack, PCS was holding an international seminar with participants from Peru, Colombia and Guatemala. The seminar was convened to explore methodologies for addressing the mental health needs of women who have suffered from sexual violence during armed conflicts, as well as techniques for the psychological accompaniment of women who are bringing legal cases against those responsible for these crimes.
What at first appeared to be a common crime - the robbery of a vehicle and cash - has other characteristics that do not fit these kinds of crimes. The truck that was stolen had International Mission license plates, an extremely unusual target for common criminals. Further, the two heavily armed men detained the PCS staff member in the truck and assaulted him, and then sexually assaulted him. Following actions by PCS to denounce this first attack the same staff member was phoned and told that he, and the entire PCS team, would be killed if they did not stop this work.
These attacks are a clear attempt to intimidate PCS, as an international organization dedicated to challenging impunity and seeking justice for human rights violations. At the same time, PCS is an active participant in the International NGO Forum (FONGI) in Guatemala, and is a member of its Board of Directors. The attacks against PCS have occurred as part of a wave of attacks against other member organizations of FONGI. PCS is the fourth member to be attacked in the last month. Inter Pares and PCS' local Guatemalan counterpart organizations have been the targets of ongoing attacks and acts of intimidation.
Please write a letter to the Guatemalan authorities listed below, urging them to take immediate and serious action to investigate these incidents, as well as the ongoing series of attacks and intimidation against human rights defenders, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The fax numbers and mail and email addresses for the President of Guatemala are listed below.
Please also let the Canadian government know that Canadians are extremely concerned about this situation by sending a copy of your letter to Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Peter MacKay, and the Canadian Ambassador to Guatemala, asking them to bring all necessary diplomatic pressure to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The addresses are below.
Su Excelencia
Lic. Oscar Berger Perdomo
Presidente de la República de Guatemala
Guatemala Ciudad
Guatemala, C.A.
Fax: 011 502 2221 4423
or 011 502 2238 3579
oberger@presidencia.gob.gt
varroyave@presidencia.gob.gt
mgarcia@presidencia.gob.gt
The Honourable Peter MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Fax: (613) 992-2337
MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca
Kenneth Murray Cook
Ambassador
13 Calle 8-44 Zone 10,
Edificio Edyma Plaza
Guatemala Ciudad
Guatemala, C.A.
Fax: 011 502 2365 1210 (General)
011 502 2365 1211 (Political)
Email:
gtmla@international.gc.ca
| Reviewed July 10, 2007 |  |
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