Protesters in Guatemala face Brutal Repression
by jefe – 10 Mar 2005
http://austin.indymedia.org/newswire/display/19407
In the past two days, the Guatemalan government has responded to massive anti-CAFTA protests with violence and repression. As least 11 people have been injured and as many as 14 are unaccounted for and assumed to be in police custody. The Guatemalan popular movement is calling on international solidarity to denounce these actions and pressure the government for an end to violence.
(more info and photos about guatemala on chiapas indymedia http://chiapas.indymedia.org/)
On Tuesday, March 8 the government of Guatemala began the process of ratifying the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Having managed to delay a vote the previous week through large protests, Guatemalan popular organizations took to the streets again to prevent the Congress from voting against the interests of the people. This time, the police responded with brutal force, and the repression has continued throughout the day on Wednesday.
Despite the mobilizations and repression, the Guatemalan Congress appears poised to ratify CAFTA within the next 24 hours. President Berger has threatened to call in the military to reinforce the hoards of police currently surrounding the Legislative Chambers.
Please see below the compilation from the Alliance for Responsible Trade about the negative impacts of CAFTA on agriculture and access to medicines in Guatemala and the long history of civil society mobilizations against CAFTA.
Act Now to Stop Repression Against Anti-CAFTA Protesters in Guatemala
***Call or Fax the Guatemala Embassy at Phone: (202) 745 4952; Fax: (202) 745 1908 and demand that the Guatemalan government cease the repression against peaceful protesters.
(Sample fax - see below for English translation)
Estimados Señores,
Les estamos escribiendo para exigir que el Gobierno de Guatemala cesa de inmediato las acciones represivas por parte de las fuerzas de seguridad publica en contra las personas y sectores quienes protestan la aprobación del Tratado de Libre Comercio (CAFTA por sus siglas en Ingles). Nos hemos enterrado de muy preocupantes reportes de violencia, que ha dejado un saldo alto de heridos, y hasta el momento 14 "desaparecidos" por manos de la policía o el ejército. Exigimos que paren de inmediato la violencia contra las personas que participan en la manifestación pacifica y que dejen en libertad los manifestantes presos.
Atentamente
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(English Translation)
We are writing to demand that the Government of Guatemala stop repressive actions it has taken against those protesting the passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. We have heard very disturbing reports of violence against demonstrators that has left many people injured, some critically, and at least 14 people unaccounted for and presumed to be held by the police or the army. This violence must stop immediately and anyone being held for demonstrating should be released.
From: Central Americans Speak Out Against DR-CAFTA:
Major Issues and Mobilizations
Alliance for Responsible Trade
Karen Hansen-Kuhn, March 2005