Monseñor Juan Gerardi Conedera
-Photo Prensa Libre
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FROM CHICAGO, U.S.A., GROUPS UNITED FOR PEACE IN GUATEMALA, IN LIGHT OF THE TREACHEROUS, CRIMINAL AND BARBAROUS ACT COMMITTED AGAINST MONSEÑOR JUAN GERARDI CONEDERA,
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Monseñor Juan Gerardi Conedera |
WE DECLARE THAT:
We regarded with much hope and satisfaction the praiseworthy work done by Monseñor Gerardi in the elaboration of the report, REMHI -- Recuperation of the Historical Memory. The report amply documented the direct participation of the Army of Guatemala in 85% of the repressive acts that were carried out against the population of Guatemala during the internal armed conflict, which held the country captive for almost four decades. The report, published on Friday, April 24, 1998, uncovered an undeniable truth -- waking, no doubt, those sectors that have opposed and still oppose the structural changes in Guatemalan society that envision a dignified life of peace and social justice in Guatemala.
From other lands, Guatemalans and members of the international community applaud the unyielding work of Monseñor Gerardi in the defense of Human Rights, from his position as Archbishop of Quiche and later as the Auxiliary to the Archdiocese of Guatemala. In light of his despicable assassination, we declare our consternation and our solidarity with his family, with the Episcopal Conference, with Human Rights organizations and with the Guatemalan people.
We energetically condemn such a repugnant provocation to this difficult and critical moment in the processes of the construction of peace in Guatemala. We call the entire population of Guatemala to not be intimidated by this event which, in every way, is meant to intimidate all sectors of the population who have made the organized and peaceful effort to launch this grand national project of well being for the entire population in a multicultural, multiethnic and multilingual nation.
To the government of Guatemala, we declare that official pronouncements are not good enough, and we demand speed in the investigations in order to capture those materially as well as intellectually responsible for this monstrous assassination and for the thousands of documented cases, not just in the REMHI report, but by the Truth Commission and Human Rights organizations, for which the entire population gives denunciation and documentation.
We raise our voice in unification with those which have been raised around the world, including the energetic condemnation of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. And we support the condemnations raised by the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala. We strongly support the position of Monseñor Hernandez, who has expressed: "If the government does not clarify this event within 72 hours, as it has been asked to do by the O.D.H.A. (Archbishop's Organization for Human Rights), they run the risk of repeating the pattern of impunity that has been observed in other similar events."
Finally, we REAFFIRM our commitment to follow up and denounce to the world any maneuvering that tries to derail the fulfillment of the Firm and Lasting Peace Accords, whose spirit cements the base for the construction of the State of Right that permits the coexistence of peace with social justice and real democracy which is functional and participative.
FOR PEACE IN GUATEMALA,
WE CONDEMN VIOLENCE!
WE DEMAND PUNISHMENT OF THE GUILTY!
UTUX MAYIB', O.S.G.U.A., -Organization in Solidarity with Guatemala-, ATANASIO TZUL, (Midwest) Network of Guatemalan Refugees, CAMSDEGUA - Committee for the Support of the Social Movement and Democracy in Guatemala -, FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN GUATEMALA, KONOJEL JUNAM CULTURAL GROUP, GUATEMALA
RADIO PROJECT, GUATEMALA STUDENT INITIATIVE, CASA GUATEMALA.
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