Ballard Cornbread Mix

Ixcán and hydro Xalalá



Due to lack of bids on November 7 was declared void the bidding of the Hydroelectric Xalalá, planned for the region Ixcán. In the end, none of the nine companies had shown interest in the project proposal to materialize. Also came to public light that company said it had identified social risks, environmental, financial and project implementation. Officials of the National Electrification Institute (INDE) reported that they continue to drive the project would generate 181 megawatts and assured that they are considering other options to finance the project. Since February 2007, ACOGUATE has provided support to several communities that would be affected by the dam Xalalá if it was built.
.......................................... Translation
article that was published in the
San Francisco Chronicle, June 8, 2008
original English version
....................... ....................
[Alejandro Che] Paau Copón was born in Las Margaritas, a village of 300 inhabitants located on the banks of rivers and Copón Chixoy in the northern region of Guatemala. Cardamom corn and dozens of surrounding homes, which can only be reached by boat or on foot.

Crossing the river, 20 minutes from the house Paau, is the proposed site for the second largest hydroelectric dam in Guatemala - the dam Xalalá. Paau community is one of 18 communities that could be flooded by the reservoir of 7.5 square kilometers.

Xalalá The dam is in addition to other projects that the National Electrification Institute (INDE) has developed to attract foreign investment in renewable energy. Is expected to increase by 10 percent of national energy reserves, generating annual profits of between 100 million and 150 million dollars, and affordable energy to more than 2 million people, while saving 4 million barrels of oil per year.

Fredy Lopez, INDE spokesman said that the hydroelectric project presents an opportunity for Guatemala to reduce its dependence on petroleum and imported energy. "Using clean technology, hydropower will increase the productivity of Guatemala and access to energy."

Moreover, the dam would flood the homes of 2,338 people along the river 41 kilometers and 16 kilometers Chixoy Copón River, affecting 36 communities. The government has not presented a plan for compensation and according to Lopez, the Government refuses to testify about these plans at the moment.

In April 2007, the dam-affected communities Xalalá made an inquiry about Xalalá mega-projects and oil exploration in the area - a right guaranteed them by the Constitution and municipal law - of 21.155 voters, 89.7% voted "no." However, Guatemala's highest judicial body, the Constitutional Court has ruled that the results of the consultations are not binding if the issue of consultation is considered a matter of national interest. Paau

expected that the query is respected and cited as legal basis the respective steps of the Constitution and Convention 169 of the International Labour. Both documents recognize the right of indigenous peoples to define "their own priorities in relation to the development process, to the extent that it affects their lives, beliefs, institutions and spiritual well-being and the lands they occupy or Somehow, and control, to the extent possible, their own economic, social and cultural "

In 1982, the armed forces massacred 177 women and children in Black River, a village on the banks of the Rio Chixoy 50 miles south of Las Margaritas Copón, to build the largest hydroelectric Guatemala. At that time, Achi communities clearly opposed to the dam 300 megawatts. Three massacres occurred in 1982, where 444 of the 791 Black River residents were massacred, according to the Commission for Historical Clarification. Chixoy dam was largely financed by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. The community of Black River and over 27 acres of land were flooded arable. The armed forces forced the survivors to live in a militarized village more than four hours away from the flooded community.

Today, survivors of Black River are still struggling to receive compensation. They live in arid lots babes and eight hours away from arable plots that the government were provided. Although the relocation plan INDE promised them electricity and water free, most people can not pay their electric bills or water, can not even pay the fare to get to their land to farm. INDE maintains that it has complied with the obligations of relocation and that since privatization of utility companies in 1998, and is not responsible for providing electricity to relocated communities or respond to complaints related to restitution.

Although, to date, yet INDE officials have not approached the residents of Las Margaritas Copón, Paau fears that the project Xalalá leave your community with the same problems as those of Black River. "We know that they are not building this dam for us," said Paau.

Aviva Imhof, campaigns director of International Rivers, a nonprofit group based in Berkeley, California, says the government should not push the dam project until it meets its obligations to redress past.

"The government must make a comprehensive assessment of all options to achieve the country's energy needs, and should compensate communities affected by the dam Chixoy, before making any decision to proceed with the project Xalalá," said Imhof. Emiliano

Panjoj, Tzejá mayor of Santa Maria, a village where most people voted against the bill in 2007, states that ecotourism projects small scale, a comprehensive school and a better health center would most benefit their community. "Not that we are against development," says Panjoj, "We just want to be developing on our own terms."

In the meantime, Paau is waiting for any information which may affect the fate of his village. "The Newspapers say that this area is uninhabited, there are only a few families would be relocated, "said Paau. "But we are thousands. For government, rivers mean money. For us, the rivers are our lives. "
....................................... ........
Photo: Coordinating Committee for Consultation, Ixcán
1 Solano, Luis: Xalalá tender fails, INDE insist, Inforpress 1778, 14/11/1908.
2 NISGUA: NISGUA's Report on Guatemala, Volume 28 Number 2, Summer / Fall 2007
three INDE: http://www.inde.gob.gt/xalala/Xalala.html
4 Interview with Fredy Lopez, May 1 to 8 2008
5 Ibid.
6 NISGUA's Report on Guatemala, Volume 28 Number 2, Summer / Fall 2007
7 San Francisco Chronicle, "Placing Blame For Genocide: Guatemalan massacre survivors seek damages "from dam financiers," November 16, 2000, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/11/16/MN94314.DTL&hw=chixoy+dam&sn = 002 & sc = 591
8 Ibid.

Best Budget Head Unit

V Meeting on Racism and Genocide


19 and 20 November this year, 380 women and 101 men working social organizations, among others, on issues of human rights, justice and historical memory - and it includes several organizations that accompanies or is accompanied ACOGUATE - participated in the V Meeting on Racism and Genocide that took place in Guatemala City. Since 2003, the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR) and the Centre for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH) have organized this annual event with the aim of creating a "space for debate, reflection and awareness around the racism and genocide in Guatemala, its causes, the need to recover historical memory and fight for justice for serious human rights violations. "The meeting was held under the theme of Justice and Resistance, guarantees of non repetition.

Inaugural Lecture - Genocide, Justice and natural resources to ensure non repetition
The inaugural lecture of the meeting, which was attended by Marc Drouin, Edgar Perez, Luis Alexis Gregory Florentino Pérez Calderón, was done under the Genocide issue, natural resources and justice to guarantee non-repetition. Perez and Calderon presented, respectively, of the sentence and the appeal that occurred in the case of Black River, village of Rabinal, Baja Verapaz (See previous articles in this blog), while Gregorio Florentino Perez talked about universal jurisdiction.

highlighted some elements of a presentation by Marc Drouin, who presented the findings of research he had conducted in 2005. In his presentation, "The Guatemalan genocide of 1982," Drouin discussed the definition of genocide under international law and enforcement of such qualification to the crimes committed in the Guatemalan highlands in the early 1980's. He explained that in recent years, the Guatemalan army followed the same modus operandi in attacks committed against indigenous populations in most of the Guatemalan highlands, in different areas and military bases, proving genocidal intent with which the army acted Guatemala. He also argued that a possible 'motives' behind the intention of exterminating the Mayan people in the cooperative movement which represented an attempt by people Indians organized to seek their own path to development and economic independence. This desire to find "a way not to go to the coast," as explained Drouin, threatened the dominant economic model from the English colonization is based on the exploitation of cheap labor that represents the indigenous people deprived of land and with little access to means of production.

Then participants were divided into several working groups according to different thematic areas. Among them were the topics of "Women and Resistance" and "Re-militarization." Mesa

work "Women and Resistance"
In the seminar "Women and Resistance", gathered some 40 participants to discuss and share about the ways in which women are fighting in the current political situation. Andrea Barrios, representing the Women Sector opened the desk by presenting the experience he had this group of women struggle to mobilize and organize and have a place as women in the negotiation of peace agreements. He explained that at the time, it was suggested that the internal armed conflict had affected women in a specific way and that, therefore, had to include in the Peace Accords a specific answer. Also suggested that Maya women during the armed conflict, the role of social reproduction took a matter of resistance: the act of giving birth and caring for children in the midst of a genocidal campaign and to keep alive traditions, cultures and languages \u200b\u200bwas to face the attempted genocide of the Guatemalan army.

Barrios suggested that a confluence of historical factors have combined to form structures of power - patriarchy, racism, neo-liberal capitalism - of which were and still barred most women. The Women's Sector has come to an analysis that, given this reality, many women start resistance from home and the fact organized and is a form of resistance. Also, the idea is to start from the personal strength and link it to broader social struggles, that is, recovery areas and territories beginning with their own bodies.

Desk "Re-militarization and peace agreements"
In the workbench on the topic of "Re-militarization and peace agreements", Amilcar Pop, Maya Bar Association, and Marco Antonio Canteo the Institute for Comparative Studies in Penal Sciences of Guatemala, spoke about a new form of militarization that is taking place at this juncture. Mentioned at the same time that Guatemala has permanently been militarized since the liberal revolution in 1871. They claimed that despite the Peace Accords of 1996 recorded that the army had to redefine their roles, their role remains the same. Justify its presence in some regions by the presence of drug traffickers and increased violence and crime, the military still serves as a tool for economic structure, imposing a stability that ensures the massive exploitation of natural resources and foreign investment, and maintaining fixed the economic powers. Pop and Canteo added that, apparently, is not a coincidence that the re-militarized areas today are located near mega capitalists.

Speakers at this workshop concluded that almost twelve years after the signing of peace, the Guatemalan State has not complied with the responsibilities of transitional justice to be followed by peace agreements, whether truth, justice, repair, and demilitarization of the country. They also emphasized the importance of breaking the impunity, which benefits the Army, events related to both the armed conflict as recent events so that there is a guarantee of non-repetition of acts of genocide and a functional democratic exercise the country.

Justice and guarantee non-repetition from the perspective of the Justice System, Civil Society and Media "
forum In the morning of November 20, Luis Ramirez, Edgar Morales, Ramon Alejandro Rodriguez Chain and presented their papers as part of the forum titled" Justice and guarantee non-repetition from the perspective of the Justice System, Civil Society and Media. "

Two presentations highlighted in this forum: the presentation of Edgar Morales, who presented the topic from the standpoint of the media and the presentation of Alejandro Rodriguez, who spoke from the viewpoint of the Justice System Morales said

most of the media in Guatemala are foreign-owned commercial media have a fundamental objective profit (not informative) and, therefore, are not acting in the interest of the majority of Guatemalans. Said he did not think it very likely that these "de-media" join the struggle of those seeking justice in armed conflicts "that they were ordered to hide." 2 On the contrary, suggested that, for the media to help ensure no repetition of the acts committed during the internal armed conflict, we should begin by building new media alternative mechanisms or own networks of information in communities.

In his presentation, Alejandro Rodríguez, Secretary of Crime Policy of the Public Ministry (MP), gave an account of how Guatemala was built historically as a racist colonial state based on exclusion and exploitation of indigenous peoples, in short: an apartheid state. Explained that, although they have been subject to minimum conditions of existence, indigenous peoples have rebelled over the history of the Guatemalan state to resist these conditions. According to Rodriguez, is this thinking that led to the Guatemalan State to adopt the massacres and genocide as a counter-insurgency policy in the 1980's. Therefore, said the transformation of MP and construction of a Human Rights Office capable of responding to the demands of indigenous peoples is not only a way to ensure non-repetition, but also the fulfillment of a "debt historic. "

latter the V Forum on Racism and Genocide ended with a recommendation by Ramon Cadena inviting avoid characterizing this struggle for truth and justice as" utopian "- which means you can never reach - because it is achievable stating that the presence in the room of survivors and relatives of victims, "attest that there are people who have courage to go and are looking for change."
Writer ACOGUATE

............. ..................... Notes

1 Policy Statement Justice and Resistance, guarantees of non-repetition "Fifth Meeting on Racism and Genocide in Guatemala.
2 Edgar Morales, a paper of 20 November 2008 at the V Meeting on Racism and Genocide, Guatemala City.
3 Alejandro Rodríguez, lecture of 20 November 2008 at the V Meeting on Racism and Genocide, Guatemala City.
4 Ramón Cadena, paper 20 November 2008 at the V Meeting on Racism and Genocide, Guatemala City.

Ground Bison Expiration Date

Nueva Linda: Interview with Bety Reyes Toledo



The August 31, 2008 the Movimiento Pro-Justice Nueva Linda marked the fourth anniversary of a violent eviction and the fifth anniversary of their struggle to demand justice for the disappearance of the former administrator of the estate Nueva Linda Hector Reyes. Since his disappearance in 2003, the family of Hector Reyes and the Movimiento Pro-Justice Nueva Linda have pressured the State of Guatemala to shed light on the case. In 2004, occupation of the farm by the movement as a measure of pressure resulted in one of the most violent evictions in recent years during which they killed nine farmers and three policemen, when the safety of the farm and the state security forces evicted the peasants on 31 August of that year. Subsequently, the movement was installed in some huts at the edge of the road opposite the entrance to the Finca Nueva Linda to continue demanding justice in the case of Hector Reyes and the case of eviction.

On 30 August this year came together to mark the anniversary at the edge of the road, the day after celebrating a Mass to pay tribute to those who died during the evacuation of 2004. On September 1, hundreds of people marched in the provincial capital of Retalhuleu to demand justice from the authorities.

Throughout his stay on the roadside, the group has been the victim of threats and intimidation by the farmer and farm safety. ACOGUATE has been with the group since 2006.

ACOGUATE: These are years that are leading this fight. What is your impression of this long struggle?

BRT: I [we] four years of struggle on the road. Nothing is easy to be there in the struggle to resist, but we say that we are going to take us where we want to see that we clarify the disappearance of my father. They've been 5 years from the date on which it was taken away and we know nothing. For these reasons, we are still there on the roadside. We do not take off from there to shed light on the disappearance of my father, what they did with him, until justice is done.

ACOGUATE: Apart from the case of Hector Reyes, there is also the case of the slaughter [the eviction in 2004]. How is the other case?

BRT: As it is, does not advance the case of 31 [August]. Several colleagues were killed and who was responsible? [The farmer] and the authorities came to him [the security of the property]. There's nothing here you go. There has been nothing for justice.

ACOGUATE: Can you tell us the activities of the anniversary?

BRT: were in the August 31 anniversary of that was done. It was an activity there. He got a movie where you look at what happened on 31 August. There were many people supporting, remembering what happened on 31 August when the comrades were killed during an eviction. It seemed nice. The march on Monday also [was nice] because there were many people. That may pressure the Public Ministry to enable them to streamline and make the case that progress. If we do not see us that yes, they will never take the papers to the hand and say we're doing. Such After making these marches can take them that we are still watching us, we are still demanding justice.

ACOGUATE: What is the relationship with the authorities, such as the Public Ministry, the Office of Human Rights and the current government of President Alvaro Colom?

BRT We have not seen progress in the prosecution. We have not seen what has been done. We have not seen that they are willing to do something, to make them catch those responsible. If they were investigating and had been developed but there is something about the case, is running five years ... It is not fair they do not shed light on the disappearance of

he know that those responsible are still on the loose and we have proof that they went to get [the farmer] and [a member's private security] and there is nothing that can capture them. The Attorney General does nothing to expedite justice done. In the PDH

[Human Rights Office] have not had no information, maybe there will to continue supporting the group Nueva Linda. There

change of government and [to] the change was not seen anything. We at regime change who is Alvaro Colom, with him we have no hope either. We have never had meeting with them. We have listened to us.

ACOGUATE: What has been the relationship with the alleged assailants, and with the safety of the farm?

BRT: has been a bit difficult with them because we are on the edge of the road, we almost at par. There are moments that the assurances we have taken off. They have been pressing us. They tried to poison the tap water. Eight days before we went to Europe, were to throw some candy with poison at the ranch for the creatures eat. It's very hard. We are threatened by the farmer, also the safety of [farmer] ... we fear that we may come to do something. We can not relax. They know that we are fighting the first leg of my dad and for them is not easy for us to be following this fight, then we fear that someday we can come to do something.

ACOGUATE: How is the group's situation, how is the mood of the group to follow? What kind of support have you received?

BRT: We have been supporting various organizations that we are throwing hand, giving us support. On the other hand we have been supporting people watching us in this situation. Maybe there will be more people, so maybe there will be more pressure. Right now we feel more happy, because there is more support with so many people come to support us. They have also decided to take this fight [until] there is justice.

ACOGUATE: It has also made a few trips. How does this make public the case internationally?

BRT: We tour in Europe. I was there for almost a month. We tried to go to disclose all the impunity that is being experienced here in Guatemala ... the truth is that not just one but there are plenty of cases. We want to bring this case to clarify who was not all cases go unpunished. Such

Once through there all the countries where we were able to pressure the government here in Guatemala for a speedier trial, so that not everything goes unpunished ... we have made clear that they were responsible, namely the support of the people around us, we can achieve what we are asking that justice be done.

ACOGUATE: And you personally how it has affected this fight?

BRT has been difficult for us five years that he has not been. It's hard to have done this with him because with all the people he was friendly, never was mean to people. He was good with all ...

is hard to lead a fight than five years, being on the roadside. We have children and you have to give them an education and being a one there is not going to be able to give the children studies. There are times that a child gets sick, you do not [can] say I have on hand around so that it can take to a doctor. We do not have ...

But we do our best to fight for the kidnapping, the murder of my father not go unpunished. We are ready to continue to see where you get justice. Came to believe that one day he will clarify what they did to him.

************************************************ **********************************
Interview: ACOGUATE
Photo: ACOGUATE

12 Foot Pelican Intruder Jon Boat

ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS DEAD,
the last river poisoned and the last fish
CAUGHT, YOU WILL KNOW

YOU CAN NOT EAT MONEY .

1st Birthday Thank You Wording

Workers Lifeguard - SITRAPETEN (See below interview with a generente of SITRAPETEN)


In early May the company several Lifeguard, owner of the Castillo Brothers Corporation, were dismissed after forming a union, SITRAPETEN. The process of formalizing the union began in February 2007 but, according to workers, the labor ministry had rejected the request to form the group. As a result, it was not until earlier this year obtained the registration in the institution. Throughout these procedures, workers were pressured to abandon their union activities and eventually dismissed in May this year. In protest at the dismissal, the group of 41 members set up camp in front of the premises of the company in an attempt to bring to spotlight the situation and demand his reinstatement. ACOGUATE has been accompanying the group since May of this year.

The dismissal of workers Peten Lifeguard distribution was only part of a series of events that accompanied the long process of unionization. The working group made the first attempt SITRAPETEN register with the Ministry of Labour in February 2007 with the purpose of establishing a stronger position in negotiations with the company, the Castillo Brothers Corporation, and require an improvement in working conditions, as noted by one worker, were very difficult:

"The need to organize arose due to ill-treatment they had here, that apart from exaggerated assessments require us [...] we needed a little more than salary, because practically, we were working double or sometimes triple duty. [...] Also had no job stability because they always came to us saying that comply with the quotas because otherwise, however, we would be fired and had thousands of applications for university and we had no studio. "

But the first application form as well as five further attempts were rejected by the Ministry of Labour, on the grounds that the information was incorrect. According to workers, the dilatory attitude of the Ministry of Labour was clearly linked to the pressures that the company was exercising. SITRAPETEN processing was accompanied by continued pressure on workers and their families by representatives of the company telling them to abandon their union activities. "We have received different bullying ... as well as death threats, saying they have enough to hire bad people and enough money even to pay fines and go blameless."

Several sources said that the Corporation Castillo already used these tactics to fight unions in their companies at different times in the past. These include death threats against union leaders, pressure on affiliates to resign and bribery of union leaders. Thus, the corporation succeeded in weakening and destroying several unions, including the Brewery Workers' Union Central.


Thus in the case of SITRAPETEN in February 2007 when the company realized the paperwork started organizing the group, fired 13 of its members. After of a strike by other workers in support of sacked colleagues, the company agreed to reintegrate. However, at the same time started a lawsuit against the workers, who finished with a fine equivalent to 13 pay.

Later, the workers followed the procedures for registration of the union and earlier this year reported that approval had been successful. But events took a new turn in early May, when, just days after the international day of work, the company invited workers to a training course workshop to be held in different locations. Once assembled the different groups representing the company informed the workers that they should forgo Distribuidora Peten, as this was broken and that they would be transferred to other companies.

However, some workers do not agree. Left the meeting on the grounds that the company's action was illegal, violating their rights, and that did not follow the legal procedures of bankruptcy. For some, only managed to leave the meeting after calling the police because security personnel prevented the company was trying to force its output to sign his resignation letter.

Unhappy with the actions outlined by the company, workers moved to the facilities located in Zapote of the capital city and blocked the main gate to prevent the company removed the property and trucks. During the morning, there were members of private security workers surrounded, attacked with sticks and pipes and threatening them with weapons. Several workers were attacked while a group of ten workers had joined the force in the company's premises by security officers where they kept detained until midnight of that day. At this time riot police arrived, which together with the elements of private security workers evacuated.

The day after this eviction, the workers who were laid off set up camp in front of the premises of the company performing his dismissal as a result of the formation of the union and as a strategy Castillo Brothers Corporation to prevent the formation of unions in their company. The first table of dialogue so far were unsuccessful. The company denied the violation of labor rights but not workers gave up their demands, his immediate reinstatement and its right to union organizing. Several workers commented that the company is using delaying tactics to prolong the process and demoralize the group. As there were offers of money and phone calls pressing several members of SITRAPETEN to renounce the union and its demands.

In order to bring to light the situation of rape and intimidation that are suffering, they organized a march on July 18 that also serves to draw international attention and raise awareness of the difficulties that unions face in the country. "I've always said that this is not a hit single for us, but a blow for unionism in general because everywhere they suffer various threats to unionization." A report by the Unit Defenders Human Rights, says this view because it indicates that unions in Guatemala have been the most threatened group of defenders and attacked in the first half of 2008.

.................................. Written by ACOGUATE

Photos by ACOGUATE
References:

1) of 07.07.2008 Interview with Edwin Enrique Alvarez Guevara, general secretary of SITRAPETEN.
2) Reynolds, Louisa (2008): Unions seek to sue the state for half of DR-CAFTA, Inforpress edition 1753, 05/23/2008.
3) of 07.07.2008 Interview with Edwin Enrique Alvarez Guevara, general secretary of SITRAPETEN.
4) Reynolds, Louisa (2008): Unions seek to sue the state for half of DR-CAFTA, Inforpress edition 1753, 05/23/2008.
5) Unit Protection of Defenders of Human Rights: Preliminary Report on Status of Defenores Defenders and Human Rights, January-June 2008.
6) A member of the group was shot dead when he was in front of a shop near his home. Three other people, not known to the member, died in the attack. Some sources link the attack to its activity in SITRAPETEN.
7) of 07.07.2008 Interview with Edwin Enrique Alvarez Guevara, general secretary of SITRAPETEN.

................................................ ........... INTERVIEW WITH ALVAREZ

GUEVARA - SECRETARY GENERAL OF SITRAPETEN

Edwin Enrique Alvarez Guevara is Secretary General of the Union Workers' Distributor of the Peten (SITRAPETEN) composed of workers from the pure water distribution in Guatemala's largest, Water Lifeguard. After his dismissal, linking their activities to organize a union, members of SITRAPETEN set up camp in front of Lifeguard facilities, an integrated company in the Castillo Brothers Corporation. Forty-one of the former employees are currently participating in the camp since May 3, 2008 fighting for his reinstatement. Besides requiring members to raise the amount of money received by jug sold and to give more than just a daily fee. ACOGUATE has been accompanying since late May SITRAPETEN 2008.

What were working conditions before they began to organize you?
The working conditions were provided by commission, the only thing is that they [the company] required a rather exaggerated sales volume for one will generate more profits for themselves because for us there is little we earn commission. But they generate a jug barbara amount of gain. So that's why he was forced to meet a quota exaggerated.

How many people in total were working on the Lifeguard here?
Overall, here in Guatemala, had 638 people working.

Why was the need to organize?
organize The need arose because of the abuse they had here .... there were times when we were already late, and did not meet the quota as we returned to the fulfilled ... and did not sell anything and just came again quite late here, but when was the night. We also needed a little extra income ... virtually, we were working double or sometimes triple duty. So they did not react to the situation and that was why the organization was.

do these 638 workers, many are being organized with you?
At first, were 114 workers who organized ourselves, after the committee was 13 ... But the company coerced many workers, giving them money. Then, got the resignations of the majority of workers staying well with 19. Of that, they got six stationery to the Labour Inspectorate and Ministry of Labour's reaction was to hope that the company submit the withdrawals .... It put people under the Ministry of Labour [with] the company to do time, for [that] they managed to scare people ... I made a series of threats. At the end, people ended up quitting the union, a famous withdrawal.

What kinds of threats made?
made several threats. They said that if they remained in the union, would not get a job ... that the union was never going to perform.

What you want to achieve with the organization?
What was intended to achieve the organization is that both the employer and the employee profit sharing. It is logical that the employer always has to win more, but at least that the worker is paid just enough "is something that here in this company was not given. So what we want is to achieve employment stability, which we did not have job stability because we always came saying that comply with the quotas because if not, anyway, we would be fired and had thousands of applications for university and not to us that we did not study.

Describe the process of organizing their union.
The process began one day February 4, 2007. With 13 partners decided to assemble the collective, with a committee ADOP. So we signed the minutes on Day 4. On 9 sat before the inspection work. Labour inspection report reacted with sending them the same day. And they reacted to lay off 13 workers.


... We did not sign any documents to them and began to explain to [other employees] than we do what we did was assemble a committee to ensure all workers and because of that, people - and not reinstalling us and we put the complaints in court - people decided three days later, a Tuesday Feb. 13, to paralyze work. So they [the managers of the company], and doing as 6 pm, they said yes we would be reinstalled. But after the agreement was signed and where we were going to reinstate the 13 workers. After that, they opted to get us a trial where we said had paralyzed the work and they had a loss of 400 000 quetzales for the day and we had to pay it because we were guilty of that.

also threatened to kill us. Then, by telephone and verbally told us and some supervisors that the company is powerful enough to recruit and send assassins to kill us. Then, to desist from the organization because it was never going to perform.

What was the process of legalizing the union of you?
The process of legalizing the union was very slow because as they themselves told us they had money to buy all the authorities of Guatemala. Then, it is believed that the authorities in the Ministry of Labour accepted because they made enough money delaying the stationers, expecting them to take the withdrawals

What was / is the company's response?
the company's response was always negative, that none of their companies, which are many, will see union, they say that no organization will achieve none of their business, then, to desist from that.

What actions have you taken?
Actions have been taken under the law, but unfortunately, the laws in Guatemala are fairly low in this sense that are influenced by the rich. Right now what we're doing is a strike to hurt them politically because they too are captured because they are sources of jobs in Guatemala and they are the best patterns, and that pay well, that's not true. What

intimidation, threats or attacks have received? We have received different
bullying ... as well as death threats, saying they have enough to hire bad people and enough money even to pay fines and go blameless. On the other hand, and actions strongly because it is suspected that a partner who is in hospital was attacked by them, almost - by the assassins of them ... Ministerio Publico (MP) as the authorities of Guatemala, have given no decision on the case ... you got the relevant complaints and have not provided any resolution.

Who do you think or who committed these attacks?
I think they are part of the assassins that they too have it as they have said is because people are "prepared to attack. In fact, they were calling us the day before they closed the company. We were calling me over the phone and made a lot of threats, saying that if I did not desist from this, would suffer me and my family.

I've always said that this is not a hit single for us, but a blow to global trade unionism because everywhere they suffer various threats to unionize. The fight is pretty hard because both of us here for lunch sometimes and sometimes we do not have. In our family we have not been able to take even a bite.

................................... Interview by ACOGUATE

Photos: ACOGUATE

How To Make Crochet Wreath

Disappearance: The

On 10 March, in the Criminal Court for Chimaltenango opened the trial of former military commissioner, Felipe Cusanero Coj. The defendant must defend against accusations about the alleged disappearance of six people in the community Choatalum, San Martín Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango, between 1982 and 1984. It is the first case in Guatemala against the army staff for a crime of this kind committed during the armed conflict. ACOGUATE has been accompanying Choatalum people since 2001 and has been present at the hearings.

Felipe Cusanero, Choatalum current mayor, is facing trial for the disappearance of five people. Between November 5, 1982 and October 28, 1984 at various times were missing / as Lorenzo Avila, Alejo Culajay Ic, Filomena Chajchaguin López, Encarnación López, Santiago and Mario Augusto Tay Sutuj Cajti all / as residents Choatalum village.

These cases occurred in the period in which Cusanero was the military commissioner in that village. In the oral arguments that took place in April this year, the relatives said they Cusanero military accompanied the patrol that led people to the military detachment Choatalum and then never reappeared. Since then, nothing is known of the whereabouts of persons while the family continued to demand justice and the investigation of the disappearances in which, according to witnesses in this case, Mr. Cusanero participated.

If a conviction, prosecutors achieved to create an important precedent and history. Would the first time a Guatemalan court issues a sentence for the crime of enforced disappearance. The Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) has 6.159 registered disappearances during the armed conflict, at the same time indicates that this number could rise to 45,000. Most of these crimes were committed between 1979 and 1984, under the governments led by Fernando Romeo Lucas García, Efraín Ríos Montt and Oscar Humberto Mejia Victores. Some of the most affected communities are located in the region of Chimaltenango.

also in other regions of the country were missing, above all, leaders and community leaders. According to CEH, any local conflict or suspicion by the Civil Defense Patrols,, Army or the Army could result in more names added to the blacklist.

Currently, the trial, which opened in April 2005, is stopped by an injunction filed by the defense challenging the constitutionality of a prosecution of the crime of enforced disappearance. The main argument used by the defense is the retroactivity of the law of enforced disappearance, based on the fact that Guatemala criminalized forced disappearances as a crime only in 1996 when the crimes alleged against Cusanero which were committed between 1982 and 1984.

Lawyers the plaintiff rejected the argument brought by the defense, noting that the nature of the offense is a continuous one. So explained that until they find the whereabouts of the victims, their families continue to suffer uncertainty and pain for not knowing the fate of their relatives. This means that the "continuity" of the offense is based on the fact that the accused in cases of enforced disappearance are withholding information and thereby prolong the suffering of the families of the victims.

addition, the complainants alleged that Guatemala is a signatory to various international laws that clearly establish the illegality of the crimes for which you are being charged Cusanero with special reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 3 of the Geneva Convention. They noted the integrated national foundations in the National Reconciliation Act of 1996 to explicitly define that "the extinction of criminal liability to which this Act shall not apply to crimes of genocide, torture and enforced disappearance, as well as those crimes that are inalienable or not allow the extinction of criminal liability in accordance with domestic law or international treaties ratified by Guatemala. "

April 22 held a public hearing where both sides presented their arguments on the constitutionality of the substantive application of retroactivity to the judges of the Court of Criminal Sentencing Chimaltenango. After the judges of that court decided in favor of the prosecuting attorneys and the public prosecutor, the defense exercised its right to appeal. So the case went to the Constitutional Court (CC) on 29 April. It is legislated that the judges of the CC have five days to make a decision on the matter but according to plaintiff attorneys, in practice the issuance of this ruling may take up to one year.

Meanwhile the families of the victims of Choatalum remain hopeful that the CC resolved in his favor and that justice can continue their way to create a precedent for other persons affected by forced disappearances in the country.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... Written by ACOGUATE




References 1) Commission for Historical Clarification (1999): Guatemala: Memoria del Silencio
2) Ibid.
3) Article 8, Law of National Reconciliation, Decree 145-96, 1996.

Kitten -small Black Stool

URBAN GARDENS IN MADRID

location urban gardens in the capital

THE SOLAR
In the spring of 2008 a group of neighbors decided to create a garden Lavapiés in the neighborhood, plant a green dot gray asphalt meantime, a bubble of oxygen between such pollution, a space of tranquility ...
The venue was a lot of Olive Street, where we are dedicated to dig through rubble to bring land, planting, watering ... and we have gradually transformed a vacant space in a garden. We brought the country to the city, accommodating nature between the bricks and cultivating our own food without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, is there anything better than that?
believe a city with green spaces and food!
Address: Calle Olivar
No. 48 Metro: Lavapiés
Contact information
nurianavarro@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY GARDEN OF PILUKA
In the summer of 2006 a group of neighbors begin the cleanup and conditioning of a small homeland, so far devoted to the accumulation of trash and spillway of a dog passing by. The enthusiasm and effort to create public spaces and participatory in the neighborhood, to improve the social fabric and ensure the quality of life has managed to reflect on this "community garden, built and maintained among all people who dare to approach. Where once there
dirt and dog excrement currently grow tomatoes, melissa, mint, sprouts, flowers ...
connection with nature has found a node from this jungle of brick. And we have ensured that the fruits of this garden give more than vegetables ...
(text taken from the web of piluka )
Address: Plaza de Corcubión
Metro: B. Pillar / Peñagrande
Bus: 147, 42, 49, 83, 132

JARDÍN MARAVILLAS
El proyecto Jardín de las Maravillas se desarrolla desde enero 2008 y gracias a sus dedicados miembros se está creando un jardín azotea urbano de hierbas aromáticas, hortalizas, flores, árboles, etc. en la azotea del Patio Maravillas. Nos reunimos los domingos por la tarde y nos turnamos para regar durante la semana. Estáis invitados a pasaros el domingo por la tarde a echarnos una mano y aprender o enseñarnos jardinería. Es todo un experimento y plantamos semillas, esquejes o plantas donadas para estudiar lo que funciona y no en una azotea madrileña.
Historia
Tras adquirir acceso a la azotea, fuimos pintando, estructurando gardening and collecting materials. Sunday we had a land in which we went to the BAH of pear trees to the ground and seeds. Since this land was not compatible with the conditions to sow in pots in full sun of Madrid, organized a fundraising lunch. With the success of the meal, we could invest in a super party in the cafeteria of the Courtyard, which not only fear we had live music, fire juggling Cuban mojitos, but we raised enough to continue the project. Thanks to all who have donated materials such as seeds, pots, plants, etc. the garden has reached its current state (and here I must say that is precious). Come see! Material Needed

still need clay pots, plants, soil and any donations of gardening is appreciated. We have a beautiful water lily, but it's gotten very ugly in a bucket. If someone finds a nice big container, like a bathtub, notify us and we ascended, but if you dare to upload it to the roof.
We meet on Sunday afternoons on the roof of Patio Maravillas
around 20:30 Address: Calle
Agreement No. 8 Metro: Novitiate / Plaza of Spain

GRAMAHUERTO
Early
The Garden began in 2004 and 2005, thanks to ARBA (Association for the Recovery of Indigenous Forest), which gave us a spot in the hostel of the Casa de Campo. Then GRAMA (Action Group for the Environment) carried out a weed from the ground, old area of \u200b\u200bdebris that had been attempted cultivation. The harvest of the first year is regular, the second seeded beans to pay part of the land, and you get good crop of them, but other vegetables do not thrive at all.
The second year 2006-2007 season as a small group of people, and knowing more traditional varieties are cultivated land with the idea of \u200b\u200blearning how to collect seeds of various vegetables and help conservation regional varieties, seeds were provided by the entities of BAH (Under the Asphalt is the Huerta), IMIDRA (Madrid Institute for Agricultural Research) and the INIA (National Agricultural Research Institute). The harvest of sunflowers, tomatoes, gourds and carrots is good.
This year more people are coming together to help and learn from our garden, the harvest is very good looking ... Each year the facility is improving and the number of people who join the initiative. Objectives

The garden is a small school of gardeners, we learn continuously. Our idea is to continue this project in other areas and encourage the creation of other urban gardens in the city.
learn organic gardening, exchange experiences and materials with other gardeners in Madrid. The aim is to create a space where locals can come into contact with nature and learn how to farm without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
We want to learn, teach and transform vacant lots in the center of Madrid, to create places to relax, healthy, productive ... We want to recover the "Isidro Labrador" that this city was invaded by the gray areas, private, absent of dialogue ... we want to facilitate communication and collaboration between citizens.
Location:
Hostel Youth "Richard Schirrmann" House
s / n
Contact information
www.asociaciongrama.org. Email: asociaciongrama@yahoo.es
Contact: antoniochapapote@yahoo.es

THE GARDEN OF COLE
The garden is located in the courtyard of the Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola.
gardening activity began about 5 years ago.
The aim of the garden is that children learn this culture is being lost and that only retain their grandparents.
Address: Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola (Avenida de Abrantes, 1)
Metro: Opañel
Bus: 47,247,55

location of urban gardens in the community

GARDEN CITY OF LEAK
Small garden located in the CSOA The Leak
Address: c / San Nicasio, 45 Leganés

Genital Acne And Genital Warts Difference

Choatalum Case Interview With Aura Elena Farfán Choatalum On the Case

Aura Elena Farfan is the team coordinator of the Association exhumation Relatives of the Detained - Disappeared of Guatemala (FAMDEGUA). Its members worked together with the Mutual Support Group (GAM) since 1984. FAMDEGUA born as an independent on June 4, 1992. The primary objective of the organization is ¨ to follow up on the search for missing ¨, but also look for the application of justice with regard to abuse of the internal conflict that Guatemala lived. Have trained 200 promoters of human rights in various regions of the country, 68 exhumations have been conducted, finding a thousand people, and act as prosecutor in several cases, as the case of enforced disappearance in the community of Choatalum, Chimaltenango. CAIG-ACOGUATE had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Farfan FAMDEGUA at the headquarters of the May 15, 2008.

ACOGUATE: How long FAMDEGUA has been involved in this case?
Why get involved?

AEF: 2005 was when we engage - not me, I was not involved but other fellow - when did the exhumation. From there it is our obligation, I think, as a family to support other family members. We have only the interest to find our relatives, but to support different families to find their relatives. And if we have the opportunity, because it may be an opportunity that we have as a family, to see that in Guatemala truly live in a state of law and that the alleged perpetrators, both material and intellectual, they investigate, they were also prosecuted and punished.

is not a desire for revenge that we have, but no one has really had the right to do what they did ... abuse of power that somehow the army gave the military commissioners and patrol. Choatalum specific case, well, there are six missing persons, where the family really drawn to this man Cusanero, and in his testimony when he was in the debate, they were very clear, they do not want revenge. They just want to tell this gentleman Cusanero where buried or where their family. And that is why we moved, all the family. We want to tell us where, where our family .... left where they are, because I think that was the worst practice of enforced disappearance. It is the worst because you live a uncertainty, lives a very big pain.

ACOGUATE: What is the significance of the case at national level and for FAMDEGUA? What are the implications of this trial may have on the community and the families of the victims?

AEF: The truth is that FAMDEGUA is very important to set a precedent, to get a case of enforced disappearance that there is a detainee, the specific case of this gentleman Cusanero. For us this is, indeed, is a precedent.

Now, for the families is worrying. Very worrying because they live near this man, and do not know what the reaction will be when they are judged and punished him, what will be the reaction of his family to the witnesses, to relatives who have had courage to continue not silent, but say that's what happened. Is a major concern, and take this opportunity to ask ACOGUATE, the Peace Brigades, all members of international and national associations to put eyes on them to give in a way the support they need. Because I think they are people and families going to be very vulnerable if the event that this woman entered the prison.

ACOGUATE: This is the first case of enforced disappearance that goes to trial in Guatemala. What were the obstacles faced in carrying out this case?

AEF: Unfortunately here in Guatemala justice is involved with politics. It is not a real rule of law in which we live. But often very politicized cases, most of all when there are soldiers listed, then the military and must not mention, do not tell them.

The specific example is Dos Erres FAMDEGUA is where there are 35 habeas corpus where they are sheltering in the national reconciliation bill, or an amnesty. In the absence of justice, administration of justice, we are working for a safe transfer to the Court of Human Rights. Because there has been no political will to seek out the 16 soldiers who were identified, or are identified as perpetrators and instigators of this case.

And so all cases, both in massacres such as disappearances, we realize that if there are soldiers or military commissioners identified a lot of popularity, then they should not be playing, nor investigate. However, I believe we are approaching, I have hope. For example, today will continue the statements in the case of genocide.

ACOGUATE: The process is now again blocked by an injunction. Which is why (or importance) of these protections?

AEF: This obstacle is a constitutional remedy, which brought the defender of public defense. Because he believes that these facts were not crimes because there was a law that recognized the disappearance. However, I believe that both international conventions and treaties prescribed by the disappearance.

there a right to know what happened to them, and also assist us as a family the right to require that enforcement authorities apply it justice as it should be. And this constitutional challenge, I believe that the Lord of the Public Defender, is a form of abuse of the writs of amparo to be delaying the cases. And that makes sense, I consider that the intention is despair to the family, they no longer continue with the requirement of the application of justice, and of course on whether the organizations and the population is organized in a way and is providing support in this particular case.

I believe that is not a constitutional story that the same constitution in its first article says the state is organized to defend life, since its inception. Then it's a bit contradictory. Very inconsistent, but hey, who participated in the war did not have compassion, to do what they did to the people. Those are the difficulties, which in all and each of the cases are lawyers with little professional ethics. And also many times the judges have the independence they should have.

ACOGUATE: How would you like to see progress FAMDEGUA the case? Is there anything else you want to know about the case?

AEF: Well, FAMDEGUA be interesting and important not only for Choatalum walk, move forward as it should forward, but all the cases we bring. Let there be no delaying tactics, specifically the abuse of habeas corpus, which right now has become fashionable to stop the cases with these resources. Or the lack of interest, those who have to apply justice in investigating and delaying tactics, to go entertain the case or headers. It is unfortunate that in a country being 'democratic', we are still behind in the implementation of justice.

We can not forget [our family]. They all the time in the place where we are present with us and strengthen us, and definitely of threats and raids, we have suffered, that we strengthened to continue. Of course, your passwall of them also give us the strength to continue the search for the 45,000 Guatemalans who are not, men women and children. That's what drives us to continue with the case of Choatalum, and wait, and we hope that the true constitutional court, the writ of amparo which are imposed by the law unconstitutional is resolved and not politically.

................................................
Writer: ACOGUATE

Lordosis Gym Exercises

International Day Against Torture: Monitoring Report

The June 26, 2008, in Nebaj, Quiché Team Community Studies and Psychosocial Action (ECAP) organized a workshop with the intention of celebrating the International Day Against Torture. CAIG-ACOGUATE participated as an international observer.

A football stadium become the field of detention and torture

the morning of the workshop was aimed at associations and attended the following: Where are the Association for Children? (ADEN), Solidarity International (SI), Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH), Human Rights Ombudsman (PDH), and as organizers of the event, Team Community Studies and Psychosocial Action (ECAP). Also present witnesses and victims of domestic war ACOGUATE attached. In the afternoon the workshop was repeated, this time for students.

The workshop began with the vision of the Chilean film "National Stadium", directed by Carmen Luz Parot and filmed in 2001. A historical document that shows how in 1973 the fascist military regime of Augusto Pinochet illegally stops and holds thousands of people in a soccer stadium in Santiago de Chile. There were more than 12,000 people tortured.

After seeing the documentary, the participants shared with others what he had suggested the film. Ixil women recalled the suffering endured during the war. And indigenous authorities said today " lies and manipulation of politicians and the high cost of living becomes a form of torture for the poor continue to suffer.

Team Community Studies and Psychosocial Action

ECAP psychosocial processes of action developed with victims of political violence, mostly Mayan, aimed at his statement as subjects of their own history, to the recovery of collective memory the fight against impunity, the search for justice and social reconstruction of the community. "(1)

Torture, unjust punishment

The Parish Room where Nebaj developed the workshop were presented posters with pictures, press clippings and testimonials on torture, which is defined as: "Any act which is intentionally inflicted on a person severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he has committed, or intimidating. This suffering must be inflicted by a public official or other person assigned to this or have your consent. "(2)

What is the intention of torture?

The Internal Armed Conflict, "in addition to seeking information and confession, torture was made to destroy the identity of the victims, seeking their removal or conversion into collaborators of repression against people of their own communities. Also to attack the collective identity, values \u200b\u200band beliefs. And as a tool to change the ideas of individuals and communities. "(3)

The Mayan people, persecuted and massacred

During the period 2007-2009, CPT, ICCPG (Institute for Comparative Studies in Criminal Sciences Guatemala), Master in Social Psychology and Political Violence (USAC) and European Union are making the project "Torture: Prevention and Rehabilitation in the Multicultural Context Guatemala, "in order to" rehabilitate 540 people from 15 Mayan communities victims of torture during internal armed conflict with a multicultural approach with special emphasis on women. "

" The Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) registered a total of 11,598 victims of torture, 54% of the victims survived, most of these belong to the Mayan people harshly persecuted and massacred, coinciding with the departments with the highest rates of poverty and underdevelopment at the national level. "(4)

Who committed torture?

"According to testimonies collected by the CEH, "88% of cases of torture were executed by the Army. The other State security forces committed acts against civilians with the intention of trying to prevent the organization of peasant, labor and social policy. And for fear that indigenous communities could join the guerrillas. "

" You wanted to change the traditional way of thinking through control mechanisms as the PAC (PACs), the Model Villages (population resettlement displaced civilian, controlled by the Army) and the Development Poles. In the case of the Army and the PAC, torture applied as a form of disposal of the population in many communities. "

" These data are not accurate because many victims will not survive to tell his testimony. However, exhumations have been conducted in many regions and this has permitted those who were tortured and killed at the time, now rest in a dignified and not continue in the mountains, well, forgotten in the historical memory. "(5 )

"Torture as a part of the system"

Two coordinators of the workshop, raised the question in conclusion: "There is still torture in Guatemala?" The answer is given by one of the clippings set out in the workshop: "Although torture is a crime in Guatemala since 1995 and that the abuses committed by state security forces are common, no one has been convicted in the country by those facts. "(6)

" Rates of violence in Guatemala has increased and a large number of these victims show signs of torture. Human rights organizations say these crimes and the alarming increase of women's murders and lynchings occurring in the context of a process of social cleansing that selected vulnerable groups. This feeds a culture of violence that deprives the population and prevents the consolidation peace, as well as impunity and justify their acceptance of sectors and the population. "(7)

The seed of hope

" Why strives death / killing, vainly, to Life / if humble seed / stone breaks the strongest? "(8)

. . . . . . . . . . Written by ACOGUATE

.

(1), (5), (7) http://www.ecapguatemala.org

(2) Article 1.1 of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Deprobables.

(3), (4) Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH, 1999): Guatemala: Memoria del Silencio.

(6) Free Press, June 23, 2008.

(8) Song of the Guatemalan Luis de Lion.

Columbia Virtual Academy Shots

Five Convicted Ex-Troopers; Case Black Rio

The May 28 ruling was issued in the trial for the slaughter of Black River from March 13, 1982. ACOGUATE companions have been accompanying the survivors in the audience and your community. (For more information, see previous articles in this blog)

Baja Verapaz, Wednesday May 28, 2008 - After three years of being suspended and six months of debate, the case of the slaughter of Black River was resolved with a conviction of 780 years in prison for five former patrol in the village Xococ by the events of March 13, 1982. A sixth defendant, Cuxum Bonifacio Lopez, was acquitted by the trial court of Salamá for lack of evidence against him. Of the sentence of 780 years, which adds 30 years for each of the 26 victims accredited in this trial, the perpetrators will have to serve 30 years, the maximum penalty under applicable law at the time of slaughter.

Referring to the report of the Commission for Historical Clarification, the court noted the historical importance of this case within the context of armed conflict. He continued by saying that during the most violent between 1980 and 1983, the army Rabinal identified as a strategic region to combat the threat of "international communism" and eliminate the guerrillas. In this analysis, the civilian population was defined as a support base for insurgents who had to be fought through the civil defense patrols (PAC) in 1981.

In the explanation, the court said that from this moment, the army conducted a scorched-earth strategy often using the PAC to commit several massacres of civilians in the area. So the slaughter of 13 March 1982 was only one of five massacres committed against the population of Black River, in which about of 444 people were killed by the army and PACs. The judges noted that the patrols represent the perpetrators of the facts, but linked the intellectual responsibility to military superiors.

These indications of the role of army in the events of March 13, 1982 are reflected in the sentence where the court ordered the arrest of the fugitive Captain José Antonio Solares González and open process against senior military officers, middle and lower related to the facts. As for the perpetrators ordered the arrest of two other former patrol Xococ, Ambrosio Perez and Domingo Lajuj Chen.


In final hearing each of the 26 victims who were accredited was named five times by the judges before declaring the five ex-patrol-Macario Alvarado Toj, Pablo Ruiz Alvarado, Francisco Alvarado Lajuj, Thomas and Lucas came Lajuj Alvarado Alvarado "directly guilty of murder. Summarizing the statements of witnesses, the court outlined the elements of planning and premeditation in the army-led operation involving the patrol with the goal of exterminating the people of Black River and concluded that the testimony given by survivors were "more than credible."

However, representatives of ADIVIMA criticized the sentence conceals the true scale of the slaughter, because only 26 people managed to prove as victims. This despite the fact that according to the Commission for Historical Clarification, 177 women and children were killed in the slaughter.

The resolution also requires offenders to pay compensation of Q100 thousand to each family of the 26 victims accredited. But as the presiding judge recognized, due to the obvious poverty in which convicts are hardly going to be able to comply with this part of the sentence.

Survivors of the slaughter of Black River saw the ruling of the five ex-PAC with mixed feelings. Regretting the decision of the defendants, one survivor said, "We are all human beings, they are just like us: poor and indigenous. Their families will suffer as a result of their absence. "Underlining the impunity in Guatemala and the lack of scope of justice to the intellectual level a witness told the audience," Guatemala justice only comes in if one is indigenous. " Although ADIVIMA had called the defendants to disclose their knowledge of the chain of command during the period of violence in order to contribute to a case against senior officers, the ex-PAC would not comment on the chain of command in statements.

closing, the judge President acknowledged the pain and suffering caused by the process by both the accusers and the defendants, in an appeal for calm the court asked "everyone to return to their homes in peace, and Guatemala and Rabinal in particular have suffered enough" and "that the sentence does not bring more pain and violence to all concerned."
................................

Posted By: ACOGUATE

Photos: Josh MacLeod: 1) The defendants up to a vehicle of the Civil National Police after the sentencing, 2) Monument to the slaughter in Xococ located in Pacux, Rabinal, Baja Verapaz;

Vista Appcrash C0000005

Tecu Osorio Interview with Jesus: The Case of Black River

Retirement Cards Christian

Third National and International Natural Resources Defense. La Tana, Zona Reyna, Uspantán Quiché.


"From 22 to 24 April this year, more than 550 women and men Q'eqchis, Ixil, quiches and other peoples of Guatemala met to discuss the irrational exploitation of resources natural in their communities by government and business. "(1) In the badge that the organization provided to all participants could read: "Free Rivers dams. No to water privatization. Water for Life. No more dams. "CAIG-ACOGUATE attended as international observers.

"Water, land and corn, defend the country"

This was one of the slogans chanted by the participants of the meeting which began on Wednesday 23 April morning with welcoming remarks by Mr. Augustine, the Guatemalan National Front against Dams. He himself made a presentation to an audience that filled the building for conferences of the event. Some of his words were: "Survival. Unit. And coping strategies "to protect natural resources.

Then one of the representatives of the council of the municipality of San Miguel Uspantán, Don Hipolito Hernandez, said literally to the attendees of the meeting, "not the dams, not mining." It should be mentioned that the municipality of Uspantán in 2007 made a Community Consultation in which a majority said no to mining.

A central government representative said that "the dams are made not for the people but for other interests." He referred to hydraulic Chixoy, located very near where the encounter, saying: " Chixoy dam has a lot of blood, "referring to the massacres in different communities conducted by the state army during the 70's and 80's while developing the hydroelectric project.

Then the same politician recalled that "the English and came to take our resources and still today." Own words of a politician meets have, in contrast with the reflective and serene tone throughout the meeting, added that "the government of the rich and over. The current government listens to the poor. " He ended his eloquent speech with a reference to the Zona Reyna Uspantan, "this area represents the spirit of freedom because they never bowed before the army. "

However, as he later one of the speakers at the meeting, is no longer the "benefit of the doubt" to the policies of government, civil society must make a "social audit criticism."

CONFERENCE TOMORROW APRIL 23:
"The two-headed monster"

journalist of The Observer, Carmen Reina, developed in the first lecture of the day criticizing the government of Alvaro Colom without demagoguery and providing data and relevant information on the megaprojects. To begin with, compared the current government of UNE with a two-headed monster. He cited the example of this metaphor the prestigious environmental Luis Ferraté, Minister of Environment, and the curator Carlos Meany, Minister of Energy and Mines. Two ministers who, as Queen, defend completely opposite interests.

The journalist recalled the new global market trend in the production of agro-fuels criticizing the strategy of "fueling cars and not people." Congress of Guatemala currently promoting a new law to encourage the exploitation of this new resource. Queen

emphasized the fact that many of the dams implanted in Guatemala will use their power to other countries, such as hydroelectric Xalalá, he said, "is designed to sell power directly to El Salvador, not Guatemala."

journalist showed different maps to visualize the development of mega projects in the country, highlighting the connection between the old hydroelectric Chixoy, the new Xalalá, the city of Guatemala and El Salvador.

and questioned who benefits from these projects when you know that in 100 mining and hydroelectric projects, 80 are foreign owned and 20 national. He cited the example Bolivia, which gets 60% of the profits from the exploitation of gas and compared this figure with the 1% obtained Guatemala.

commented that with the cynical and false slogan to promote the development of communities, the government approved the development of multiple mega-projects without the participation of communities, for example, Chixoy dam. Today, 30 years after the construction of this hydroelectric, communities are still without electricity in the area.

more recent example: "the company Hydroxacbal in Chajul, entered clandestinely in the communities where its hydroelectric project and its inhabitants evicted."

"Community Consultation fundamental right"

legal adviser of the international NGO Rights Action, Marta Garcia, remarked at the second conference of the meeting that the Community Consultations are a "fundamental right" to defend the natural resources and community interests. Began by recalling the Convention 169 (2) which reads: "The State is obliged to consult indigenous peoples on issues that directly affect their way of life."

also highlighted Article 141 (3) and recalled that "sovereignty resides in the people." Defined sovereignty as "society, authorities, land, resources, property, heritage and the way how to manage everything. " He added, "that sovereignty in the Government's delegate (the executive), Congress (legislative body) and the Courts (Judiciary). Needless to say, the three bodies should be independent.

The licensed pointed to the Consultation Zacapa, Rio Hondo, the second held in the country in 2005, in which the said public consultation was illegal, not binding. However, as legal adviser said, "If the consultation is a fundamental right, must be legal, ie that generates an obligation and responsibility." In the case exists national and international legal interpretation of this consultation.

Marta Garcia stressed that people should be informed of any project or activity affecting natural resources. And, most importantly, must respect their decision. In this regard, he noted that it is "more than 300,000 people who have said no in different Community Consultations" to various projects that affect their communities.

With the upcoming construction of the dam Xalalá estimated 32 communities will be affected and 6,000 people. And so far, no one has reported anything to these communities and asked them if they want to do this project. This is the same dynamic that prevails throughout the country as seen listening to the cases that many attendees of the meeting was told.

"The people of the Ixil area, like people in other areas and regions are now the subject of movement and economic policies and covert operations. That is, hidden and developed on the backs of the people and communities but on their own natural resources. So the region has operated a company of Italian origin who has bought about 28 thousand strings of land with six villages within them, in the Biosphere Reserve of Cerro Visis, without knowledge of the communities that historically survived have managed and natural resources of these summits. "(4).

Society can make use of the following types of queries: Check popular consultation of residents, consultation of authorities and community consultation. In all cases, and as stated in Article 44 (5), "the social interest must prevail over the individual." However, there has long been a "legislicidio" in the words of the specialist Garcia, who "does not respect and benefit the people."

Biodiversity and sacred hills

Don Ricardo Cardenas, of the environmental organization Madre Selva, was the third speaker of the meeting. Showed that "there is no biological studies that document the rich biodiversity of the area Xalalá", which will build a new dam. And with a community partner Las Margaritas presented an excerpt of the results of biological study conducted last March in the Zona Reyna. The same conclusion that "the dam located between the rivers Xalalá Copón and Chixoy affect this region."

Environmentalists recalled that "studies and knowledge of the biological richness of course helps the struggle for the defense of natural resources because thanks to them know what you have and what you can lose." They also spoke of the spiritual side of the culture of this country and respect that should be taken by the "sacred mountains that are destroyed to build roads and megaprojects."

OFFICERS WORKING LATE APRIL 23:
"Land not sold, is cared for and defends "

were organized four workshops open to all attendees: 1) Organization of the defense of natural resources. 2) dams and hydroelectric projects. 3) Resistance to megaprojects. 4) Experience of legal struggle. In the table

resistance to megaprojects, individual representatives and civil associations in different areas denounced the country's mining, hydroelectric and oil in their communities and told how they organize to defend endangered natural resources.

A representative of the Eastern region, who participated in the working group, said many communities in the region for families suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Said that even today in some communities "who survive for three summer months, have nine months to live." Because "you can take a few days without eating but not drinking water."

At the end of this workshop, worktable control strategy summarized in the following points: 1) Get project information. 2) Organize and maintain unity. 3) Conduct technical studies. 4) energizing the resistance councils and networks such as Community Development Councils (COCODE). 5) To educate, train and educate. 6) Community Development Committee. 7) Conduct community consultations. 8) Do not sell the land. 9) legal recourse. 10) Develop a plan or strategy of struggle. 11) Keep the pressure and resistance. 12) To influence local and national-international. 13) Organize resistance region and join the fight. 14) Disseminate information to the media. 15) Do not be caught because of cooperation. "

The 4 th Meeting in Defense Natural Resources was held in the village of Hom, Chajul, still no date set. Be another opportunity to take stock and analyze the impacts of mega projects in the communities, the country's economy and Mother Earth. FINAL STATEMENT

:
From the Declaration of the Third National and International Natural Resources Defense

"We proclaim to the peoples of Latin America and the world:

1. We are men and women, farmers and indigenous communities, organized, we are in resistance to the invasion and aggression of imperialism, national and transnational companies, which are taking over our natural resources, our land, our lives.

2. That our grandmothers and grandfathers defended their lands and natural resources, which we inherited, and it is our responsibility to defend our children and grandchildren, so be it, so be it. Defend imperialist project Surface Mining, Hydroelectric Projects, Privatization of Natural Resources, infrastructure projects and oil, causing devastation, disease and death, which destroy communities and curtail the sovereign development of our peoples. (...)

ALL FOR NOTHING WITHOUT THE COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY. " (6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

For ACOGUATE.
Photos: ACOGUATE 1) The Tana Uspantán Quiché 2) The Hydroelectric Chixoy, Baja Verapaz. 3. Meeting participants References

article:
1 and 6 Statement of Third National and International Natural Resources Defense.
2 169, Convention on the Law of Indigenous Peoples, International Labour Organization (ILO).