ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS DEAD,
the last river poisoned and the last fish
CAUGHT, YOU WILL KNOW
YOU CAN NOT EAT MONEY .
Friday, July 25, 2008
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 .
Friday, July 18, 2008
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 
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. 
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.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
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 
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
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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 
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
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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. 
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
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(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.
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