Coordinadora Nacional de Viudas de Guatemala

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: 15.783471

Longitude: -90.2307589999999

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: communities affected by hydroelectric plants and 12 communities affected by the cement works in San Juan Sacatepéquez

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal: participated in the seventy-sixth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva in February 2010, during which they presented a report on the situation of the indigenous peoples and human rights defenders in Guatemala.

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information: been subject to grave public declarations circulating on the Internet, and through e-mails, which label the representatives of these organizations as “terrorists”, “Taliban of Guatemala/Groups of Al-Qaida”, and “bad Guatemalans”.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: No

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: No

Follow up information provided in SG report 0

Regarding the case of various indigenous organizations from Guatemala included in my previous annual report,21 two special procedures mandate holders sent an urgent appeal on 12 March 2010 expressing concern that the smear campaign against the above-mentioned organizations could be linked to their participation in the seventy-sixth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 76. In a letter dated 21 May 2010, the Government of Guatemala replied to the urgent appeal sent by the special rapporteurs. The Government acknowledged the facts and made reference to a letter received by the human rights section of the Prosecutor's office with information on the cases. The Prosecutor's office requested the police to urgently ensure the safety of the organizations affected, as well as the physical and psychological integrity of the individuals. The Government indicated its readiness to provide any further information in the event that those affected decided to initiate legal proceedings.