Participation, volunteering and the social web
Guatemala
‘Historically, the private sector has had somewhat of a mixed relationship with the poor.’
Jul 29th
So is quoted from the World Bank report (2003) ‘Poverty in Guatemala’ in a paper by Roman Krznaric, titled ‘The Limits on Pro-Poor Agricultural Trade in Guatemala: Land, Labour and Political Power’. The paper goes on to say that the only reference to the economic elite in
The current consensus, among neo-liberal economists and international institutions, according to Krznaric, is that countries with more open economies achieve higher growth rates than those with less open economies, and that growth is good for poverty reduction. This paper looks at two valuable export crops, sugar and mange-touts (snow peas) and shows that the poor have not benefited to the extent that the World Bank suggests. This was before the implementation of CAFTA in 2005, which Krznaric suggests will have a devastating effect on the Guatemalan subsistence economy, so very vital for a large section of the agricultural population.
The question now is, how devastating has it been?
The paper can be found in the March 2006 edition of the ‘Journal of Human Development: Alternative Economics in Action’ and the abstract states: ‘The persistence of rural poverty in
The paper is very interesting and readable – maybe that’s what is meant by ‘alternative economics’!
There is an earlier version (2005) published, as an occasional paper, in the Human Development Report Office of the UNDP.
Aggression and Intimidation of Campesino Leaders
Jul 27th
We just received the following press release
El Comité Campesino del Altiplano CCDA
Ante la opinión pública nacional e internacional, Denunciamos:
AGRESIÓN, INTIMIDACIÓN Y PERSECUCIÓN A DIRIGENTES CAMPESINOS.
El CCDA durante los últimos meses hemos sido victimas de intimidaciones a través de llamadas telefónicas, insultos verbales por desconocidos durante altas horas de la noche (entre 11:00 pm 1.00 am) que se conducen en diferentes vehículos, insultando y llamando a que salga de su vivienda al compañero Leocadio Juracan.
Además hacemos saber que el compañero AMILCAR CALEL joven dirigente campesino del Comité campesino del Altiplano - CCDA, y Coordinadora Nacional de Organizaciones Campesinas - CNOC, ha sido víctima de intimidación y agresión física, por segunda vez, causándole serias lesiones a su integridad física y psicológica. Simulando un robo o asalto.
El día jueves 19 de julio del 2007, viajó a la ciudad capital a una reunión ya que el compañero representa al CCDA en el Consejo Nacional del Programa de dinamizacion de las economías campesinas PECAS. Previo a eso tuvo una reunión en la CNOC, al salir de las oficinas de la CNOC, fue interceptado por desconocidos que lo golpearon, sin mediar palabra, dejándolo gravemente herido, quitándole el Teléfono Celular para simular el Robo pero, en realidad nosotros creemos que es un ataque directo de intimidación por el trabajo de incidencia política y de búsqueda de justicia social en Guatemala.
Amilcar Calel es un joven campesino con mucho potencial y capacidad que coordina el programa fortalecimiento organizativo en el CCDA, y nos representa en distintos espacios, desde la acción política, donde el compañero ha sido para nosotros ejemplo de claridad y lucha permanente, permitiéndonos conocer y comprender la realidad desde la perspectiva de la juventud campesina e indígena, desde lo comunitario. Evidenciando de esta manera la necesidad de articular las luchas desde los pueblos indígenas, en la búsqueda de una sociedad más justa y sin discriminación de ningún tipo. Recientemente nos represento en un intercambio de experiencia con productores hermanos de otros países como Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, Rep Dominicana.
Ante estos hechos violentos que sufrió el compañero Amilcar demuestra la persecución política que siguen ocurriendo en nuestro país, contra dirigentes campesinos, sin que hasta el momento, las autoridades responsables hagan algo por esclarezca estos casos.
Por lo anterior Demandamos:
A que cese la represión, intimidación y amenazas contra dirigentes campesinos, especialmente del CCDA.
A que se busque soluciones favorables a las demandas campesinas en lugar de implementar formas que genere temor, miedo y desesperación.
Exigimos al gobierno de la GANA que se investiguen y esclarezcan este y todos los demás casos y que se haga justicia en Guatemala.
Nuevamente exigimos el respeto a la libertad de organización campesina en Guatemala.
Nuestro Llamado a la solidaridad Internacional.
A que se pronuncie y demanda a las autoridades a que se investiguen estos casos.
A levantar la esperanza en Guatemala.
Comité Campesino del Altiplano –CCDA-
E mail: ccda_café_justicia [at] yahoo.com
Consultas dicen 'no'
Jul 25th
Within indigenous Mayan communities, the Consulta is a traditional way in which to make decisions. The consensus process and the principles of unity are utilized to make decisions about projects which, as a result, will directly affect or benefit their communities.
Courtesy of IndyMedia Guatemala, here is a video (in two short parts) made by the Diocese of San Marcos, Guatemala, about community ‘consultas’ that took place in western Guatemala, in which the population voiced their opposition to mineral exploration and exploitation and the construction of mega-projects. From community to community, the answer is the same – no, no, no.
Update on the investigation into the murder of Pedro Zamora
Jul 23rd
This article appeared in The Guardian (23-07-07) about the case of the murder of Guatemalan trade unionist Pedro Zamora.
Delegation to seek justice for Guatemalan trade unionist
Pedro Zamora had just collected two of his children from a clinic in the docklands area of Puerto Quetzal, southern Guatemala, and was driving home when the gunmen opened fire, spraying more than 100 bullets into his pick-up truck. As he crashed into a wall, he threw himself over the children to try to protect them. While he lay bleeding, one of the five gunmen walked up to him and fired a final bullet into his head at point blank range. His three-year-old son, Angel, was wounded.
The killing of Zamora, 36, the general secretary of the Guatemalan dockers' union, STEPQ, on January 15 this year, was the latest act of intimidation faced by trade unionists in that country. The four remaining members of the union's executive have all since received death threats.
Today a delegation of trade unionists and human rights activists from Europe, the US and Latin America is due in Guatemala to urge the government to bring Zamora's killers to justice. Zamora and his union had been in dispute last year with the state-owned port authorities over plans to privatise the port.
His death has highlighted the dangers faced by union activists in Latin America who try to preserve their rights in the face of increasing deregulation and privatisation.
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) which represents around five million transport workers in 148 countries, says Zamora's death should be properly investigated. ITF general secretary, David Cockroft said: “This was an execution-style killing and the perpetrators and the person who ordered it are still free to go about their murderous business. We don't think that's good enough.”
Sam Dawson of ITF, which has its headquarters in London, said that Guatemala and Colombia were the two most dangerous countries in Latin America for trade unionists. The delegation will visit Zamora's family and meet senior government ministers and human rights groups.
Amnesty International is also calling for action to ensure the safety of Zamora's colleagues, saying that their lives “are in serious and imminent danger”. A spokesperson said they believed there was a “lack of political will [in Guatemala] to deal with the longstanding issues of impunity, a weak judicial system, clandestine groups and hostility to human rights”.
A spokesman for the Guatemalan embassy in London said an investigation into the murder was under way and they were hopeful the killers would be brought to justice. He said that one of the problems was that there were so many other cases to be investigated.
Adoption in the UK: 'Mixed blessings'
Jul 22nd
Just catching up on articles on Guatemala in the UK press. This article was published at the beginning of the month (02-07-07) in The Guardian. It is a really interesting and moving look at the experience of adoption in the UK of a child of Guatemalan origin – “When Kate Hadley adopted her Guatemalan daughter, they both enjoyed becoming part of a new, mixed-race family – but there were unexpected hazards“:
“When my nine-month-old baby daughter came from Central America to live with us in south London, I, like many new mothers, was keen to introduce her to the world. So I took her to meet the local shopkeepers: 7 Star Cleaners, where the Turkish Cypriot proprietors live, eat and alter clothes around a big family table, behind a forest of Cellophane-wrapped hangers, within waving distance of the counter. One of the women beckoned us through, and at her summons husbands, uncles, nephews and aunts swiftly materialised.
They all complimented Rosie on her rose-tinted honey-brown skin – different in tone from their own olivey skin – and gorgeous black hair. I had known this woman for years, was acquainted with her husband before he died of a heart attack, and in spite of her less than fluent English we have a bond: she too knew my husband, two boys and five-year-old daughter Angelica, who had died of meningitis four years earlier. On the day of Angelica's funeral, her family had brought yellow roses to the porch of the church.” [More]
Peace Brigades International: International Observers Wanted
Jul 21st
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WANTED in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Indonesia and Nepal.
Peace Brigades International is a human rights organisation which was created in 1981. It's aim is to help create a breathing space in conflict zones so that the civilian population may organise to defend its rights without fear of reprisals and violence. PBI is an independent organisation not affiliated to any religious or political institutions.
It's recruiting International Observers to work in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Indonesia and Nepal to protect organisations and individuals who have requested our involvement. You must be fluent in Spanish for Latin America, for Indonesian and Nepal you will have time to learn before joining the team. You must be able to make a minimum time commitment of 12 months.
The next PBI orientation weekends in the UK for potential volunteers are:
Friday 28th – 30th September 2007 London
Friday 2-4th November 2007 Peak District
The Orientation Weekend is the first step in the preparation and training of potential volunteers and provides an opportunity for those interested to explore the possibility of joining a field team.
The orientation weekend is designed as an informative and enjoyable weekend for anyone wanting to learn more about the work of PBI, both in Britain and abroad. as a general introduction to PBI’s philosophy, aims and work & explore issues such as non-violence, consensus decision-making and conflict resolution through discussions, role-plays, team exercises, workshops and games.
The weekend runs from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon and has a cost of £65 waged, £55 low-waged and £45 un-waged.
Information pack, application & booking form is on the PBI website or you can email: Lani Parker: outreach [at] peacebrigades.org.uk
Become a Human Rights Observer in Guatemala!
Jul 19th
We've just received the following information for our friends in the USA- we know a lot of readers of this blog are based in the USA and just wanted to do our bit to make sure the word gets out- volunteer accompaniers are needed now. You can also volunteer as accompaniers if you're based in the UK- contact us for more information.
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The Guatemala Accompaniment Project (G.A.P.) of the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) is always looking for qualified candidates to be human rights accompaniers.
Next training: October 14-21, 2007
Application deadline: August 17, 2007
Training will take place in San Francisco, CA
• Accompaniers act as human rights observers, providing a constant international presence to Guatemalan witnesses involved in precedent-setting genocide cases.
• NISGUA trains volunteers and matches them with U.S. sponsoring communities that support (financially and personally) the accompanier’s stay.
• Accompaniers share in everyday rural life, observe and report on conditions, and monitor the human rights situation.
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Training includes the following:
• Workshops focused on anti-oppression themes and accompaniment philosophy
• Role-plays that train participants to live and work as accompaniers in rural Guatemalan communities
• Background on Guatemala and updates on the current political situation.
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A candidate for G.A.P. should have:
- A familiarity with the history of Central America/U.S. relationships and the current situation in Guatemala
- A basic understanding of accompaniment and nonviolence, and a willingness to continue developing that understanding
- Previous experience in Latin America, especially rural areas (strongly preferred)
- A high level of verbal and written Spanish or the ability to develop it with six weeks of intensive study
- The ability to document and analyze events and conditions to prepare reports
Cultural sensitivity ? Excellent judgment skills ? Physical stamina, good health
- Six months to commit, not including training and language study
- Awareness of security issues and willingness to work in a situation which might involve some risk
- Residency in the U.S., or a strong connection to a community in the U.S.
- A basic understanding of accompaniment and nonviolence, and a willingness to continue developing that understanding
- Previous experience in Latin America, especially rural areas (strongly preferred)
- A high level of verbal and written Spanish or the ability to develop it with six weeks of intensive study
- The ability to document and analyze events and conditions to prepare reports
Cultural sensitivity ? Excellent judgment skills ? Physical stamina, good health
- Six months to commit, not including training and language study
- Awareness of security issues and willingness to work in a situation which might involve some risk
- Residency in the U.S., or a strong connection to a community in the U.S.
Benefits include: accommodation and food in community, a small stipend, health insurance, a re-entry stipend, and a contribution toward international travel.
For more information, contact:
202-265-8713; gap@nisgua.org; www.nisgua.org
NISGUA; 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20009
Background
What is human rights accompaniment?
NISGUA is one of many organizations around the world that employs accompaniment as a vital tool in the global struggle for the respect of human rights. In the Guatemalan context, accompaniment creates a non-violent response to the threats, harassment, and violence faced by survivors of Guatemala’s 36-year-long civil war and grassroots organizations working for justice and human rights. To this end, NISGUA places long-term volunteers side-by-side with people in rural communities and with organizations in an effort to deter human rights violations. The dissuasive physical presence of these volunteers, known as accompaniers, provides a measure of security and creates space for Guatemalan communities and groups to organize in defense of their rights. Accompaniers also monitor and report on the human rights situation and alert the international community to abuses. In the U.S., twelve G.A.P. Sponsoring Communities are committed to immediately responding to abuses and providing ongoing support to accompaniers.
Why is accompaniment necessary?
In the early 1980s, the Guatemalan military swept through rural communities in a counter-insurgency campaign that uprooted more than a million people – many of whom fled to neighboring Mexico – and led to an estimated 200,000 dead and disappeared. According to the independent Historical Clarification Commission, these actions constituted acts of genocide against Guatemala’s indigenous population.
In 1993, organized groups of refugees began returning home and internally displaced groups started to come out of hiding. Two years later, G.A.P. formed in response to requests from these returnees for trained international observers to accompany communities as they rebuilt after 36 years of violent civil war, which formally ended with the signing of peace accords in 1996.
As the returned communities grew stronger, their need for accompaniment diminished. At the same time, more individuals and organizations began stepping forward to denounce the atrocities of the past. In a deteriorating human rights climate, their actions, along with ongoing impunity in Guatemala, put them at a high level of risk for human rights violations. Recognizing this, members of communities and organizations involved in such efforts requested accompaniment, and G.A.P. responded by gradually shifting our mandate to accompany them.
Who does NISGUA accompany?
Association for Justice and Reconciliation: In 2000 and 2001, a courageous group of war survivors brought legal cases to a Guatemalan court against former military dictators Efraín Ríos Montt and Romeo Lucas García, as well as their military high commands, on charges of genocide against the indigenous population. The witnesses in these cases formed the Association for Justice and Reconciliation and requested international accompaniment. G.A.P. has responded to this request with accompaniers in the Ixcán, Ixil, and Rabinal regions.
Grassroots Organizations: Since the beginning of 2000, threats and direct attacks have increased against Guatemalan labor unions, indigenous groups, exhumation teams, and other organizations working for justice and human rights. In response to this situation, NISGUA initiated its Organization Accompaniment Program. A team based in Guatemala City responds to short-term requests for accompaniment for organizations and individuals.
Vista publica sobre documentos militares en caso por genocidio
Jul 17th
We received the following press release from CALDH in Spanish 16-07-2007 about the current status of the case against Rios Montt:
Hoy se realiza una Vista Pública solicitada por la Asociación para la Justicia y Reconciliación, AJR, en donde se conocerán los argumentos de los Abogados de Ríos Montt, Abogados del Ministerio de la Defensa, Fiscales del Ministerio Público y Abogados de AJR en relación a documentos militares que contienen información sobre el genocidio cometido en Guatemala. Esta acción como parte del proceso legal de Genocidio contra el General Efraín Ríos Montt en el sistema de justicia guatemalteco.
El 12 de marzo de 2007, el Juez Segundo de Primera Instancia Penal, Narcoactividad y Delitos contra el Ambiente, resolvió de acuerdo al artículo 244 del Código Penal que el Ministerio de la Defensa exhibiera los documentos: A) Plan campaña Victoria 82 B) Plan Operativo Sofía de fecha 15 de julio de 1982, C) Asuntos Civiles Operación Ixil, y D) Plan Firmeza 83, para tenerlos a la vista ya que, los documentos mencionados pueden tener información relevante sobre las operaciones militares realizadas durante el conflicto armado interno, por medio de las cuales se habría cometido el genocidio.
Dicho artículo señala en su parte principal que “Los documentos, cosas o elementos de convicción que, según la ley, deben quedar secretos o que se relacionen directamente con hechos de la misma naturaleza, serán examinados privadamente por el tribunal competente o por el juez que controla la investigación; si fueren útiles para la averiguación de la verdad, los incorporará al procedimiento, resguardando la reserva sobre ellos. Durante el procedimiento preparatorio, el juez autorizará expresamente su exhibición y la presencia en el acto de las partes, en la medida imprescindible para garantizar el derecho de defensa”.
El 19 de abril, la defensa del José Efraín Ríos Montt presentó la acción de amparo que intenta dejar sin efecto la actuación del juez contralor de la investigación. El núcleo de la presente acción es evitar que los documentos que se solicita sean puestos a la vista por el Ministerio de la Defensa, simple y llanamente por tratarse de documentos militares cuya categoría de “secreto de Estado” no se encuentra comprobada.
El Artículo 30 de la Constitución Política de la República es claro al determinar que solamente dejan de ser públicos los asuntos militares que afecten la seguridad de la nación, o sea, el resto de documentos de asuntos militares son públicos.
De acuerdo a la Ley de amparo, exhibición personal y constitucionalidad sólo es procedente una acción de amparo cuando existe un riesgo, amenaza, restricción o violación a los derechos que la Constitución y las leyes reconocen, por lo que no se ha comprobado ningún agravio en contra de la defensa de Ríos Montt.
Al Ministerio de la Defensa, que ya había aceptado exhibir dichos documentos y que hoy como tercero interesado, intenta detener la acción de la justicia, se le recuerda que el Estado está comprometido, nacional e internacionalmente, a investigar y perseguir el delito de Genocidio, de acuerdo a la Convención para la prevención y sanción de dicho delito, ratificada por Guatemala el 13 de enero de 1950.
Finalmente, valoramos el accionar del Juez Segundo de Primera Instancia Penal, Narcoactividad y Delitos contra el Ambiente, por actuar apegado a derecho, pues acciones como éstas son las que permitirán abrir el camino a la justicia y poner un alto a la impunidad.
AUSENCIA DEL MINISTERIO PÚBLICO
El Ministerio Público es el principal órgano de persecución penal en Guatemala, la Unidad Fiscal para el Esclarecimiento Histórico solicitó al Juez contralor la actuación que hoy se está ventilando en la Sala Primera de la Corte de Apelaciones del Ramo Penal, Narcoactividad y Delitos contra el Ambiente. Extraño y seguramente por órdenes superiores, ninguna de las dos fiscalías -la de Derechos Humanos y la Fiscalía de Asuntos Constitucionales, Amparos y Exhibición Personal- que debían exponer las argumentaciones se hicieron presentes en esta vista pública. Exigimos que el Fiscal General Juan Luis Florido, aclare esta situación a la brevedad, pues, su actuar sólo alimenta la impunidad en Guatemala.
Mining in Guatemala as reported by CBC
Jul 13th
This is a clip from CBC's On The Map with Avi Lewis where he interviews Andrew Grant of Skye Resources Limited for the corporate point of view. You can see the full programme here with a documentary report from CBC correspondent, Jean-Michel LePrince. The programme was aired 20 June this year.
“In the 1970's, nickel giant, Inco mined the site near the town of El Estor. The company left a ghost town behind in 1981 as the civil war in Guatemala raged. Now the price of nickel is at a twenty year high and a Canadian company is back.
Skye Resources, based in Vancouver, bought the land from Inco and is ramping up to start production. If you talk to the company, the community is solidly behind them and if you talk to the mayor, you'll hear the same thing.”
Guatemalan Cinema: Luis Argueta on CUNY TV
Jul 12th
Always great to hear Luis Argueta discussing Guatemalan cinema. As he says in the interview here it is so important for a country to see itself on the big screen; “Film is the fundamental importance in the construction of national identity”.
Luis Argueta, Professor/Filmmaker, City College/CUNY, is interviewed by Patricio Lerzundi, Chair of the Journalism, Communication, and Theatre Department (JCT) at Lehman College.
The City University of New York, CUNY TV operates as a non-commercial station. Its mission is to extend the academic and intellectual richness of the University beyond the campuses and to offer New York City residents a haven for life long learning experiences through television.
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