June 25, 2002


The Honorable Jan Schakowsky
U.S. Representative - 9th Congressional District
5533 Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640

Please take action for the protection of those involved in the cause of human rights in Guatemala.

Violence against human rights workers has taken a sharp increase in this last year, especially in the last two months.  The violence, in the form of death threats, intimidations, kidnapping, break-ins and physical aggession, has included the assasination of Guillermo Ovalle, member of the Rigoberto Menchú Foundation.  In May, worldwide human rights watch organizations, such as Amnesty International, issued several bulletins of concern for the safety of human rights workers from many sectors, including unions, the press, forensic workers, priests and witnesses in civil litigation against military personnel.  More than mere random events, these intimidations are see by human rights organizations worldwide as strategically planned and carried out.

On May 8, the United Nations Verification Mission to Guatemala (MINUGUA) issued a public statement of concern, imploring the investigation of these acts as"systematic," and not just random.  MINUGUA exhorts the Guatemalan authorities to place a high prioritiy on the fight against impunity, which continues to hold Guatemala in its grips.  MINUGUA also refers to the concern raised by the international community at the recent meeting of the Consultive Group for Guatemala, and the Guatemalan government's commitment made to them to increase its efforts in investigation.

On June 1, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Hina Jilani, concluded a 6-day official visit to Guatemala at the invitation of the Government.  In a press conference, she expressed deep concern for the general deterioration of the human rights situation and the climate of fear under which people from many sectors related to human rights are working.  She also referred specifically to a fax which was widely circulated on June 7, listing eleven human rights workers as "enemies of the state" and threatened them with death.  In an urgent appeal sent on 11 June 2002 to the Government of Guatemala, the Special Representative together with the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions expressed deep concern for the security and the physical and moral integrity of the above mentioned human rights defenders.

As you are aware, conditions in Guatemala have shown little improvement since the implementation of the Peace Accords, in December of 1996.  Many human rights organizations agree that conditions are, indeed, worse.  Poverty and hunger is widespread and acute; tactics of violence are on a steep increase; no significant implementation of the  Peace Accords, signed in 1996, has been accomplished.  And the current government, despite its claims of progress, as not been able to effectively address these concerns.  Instead it has, in many ways, allowed some of the gains made in the country's infrastructure to regress.

We appreciate the steps you have taken on behalf of an agenda for peace which respects human rights.  We ask for your specific support in congressional actions which will result in the protection human rights workers in Guatemala and for the strategic tactics of violence to be eradicated.

We thank you for your support.

David J. Lindstrom
Director
Foundation for Human Rights in Guatemala