Anti-CAFTA protesters in Guatemala face brutal repression
Please pass this urgent action along to your networks and to your Congressperson and Senators. Our rejection of the violence and the criminalization of protest should be conveyed far and wide. If your Congressperson writes letters to the US Ambassador to Guatemala, the Ambassador is required to respond. In Huehuetenango, reports are surfacing about the killing of three protestors and the injuring of many others by the police and military.
Fax numbers for the US Embassy in Guatemala are:
011 502 2331 8885
011 502 2334 8474
Urgent Action
March 15, 2005
Protesters in Guatemala Continue to face Brutal Repression during Protests against CAFTA
Call the Guatemalan Embassy to Demand an end to Violence!
During the past week, the Guatemalan government has responded to massive anti-CAFTA protests with violence and repression. Many have been injured, tear gassed, and arrested, and rumors are circulating that arrest warrants have been issued against protest organizers. The Guatemalan popular movement is calling on international solidarity to denounce these actions and pressure the government for an end to the violence and repression.
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 continued throughout Wednesday and Thursday. Over 25,000 signatures were presented to the Congress saying No to CAFTA.
Despite the mobilizations and repression, the Guatemalan Congress ratified CAFTA on Thursday March 10. On Monday, March 14, a national strike took place to demand a veto of CAFTA. The protestors were violently attacked with tear gas and rubber bullets. Protests continued today March 15 with reports of 3 people killed and many wounded by joint police/military in Colotenango, Huehuetenango.
The Guatemalan mainstream press and the Government sustain that the protests have been violent. On the ground reports suggest otherwise. Protest organizers maintain that agent provocateurs have infiltrated the protests and acted violently so that the police and army had an excuse to use overwhelming force. Meetings were planned to take place this afternoon between the government and protest organizers.
Act Now to Stop Repression against Anti-CAFTA Protesters in Guatemala
Express Your Solidarity with Guatemalan Organizations, They Need our Support!
***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)
Estimado Señores,
Le escribo 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 al Tratado de Libre Comercio (CAFTA por sus siglas en Ingles). Me hemos enterrado de muy preocupantes reportes de violencia, que ha dejado un saldo alto de heridos, y reportes de órdenes de captura contra los dirigentes del paro nacional. Exijo que paren de inmediato la violencia contra las personas que participan en la manifestación pacifica y que esclarezca los órdenes de captura.
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(English Translation)
I am writing to demand that the Government of Guatemala stop the repressive actions it has taken against those protesting the Central American Free Trade Agreement. I have heard very disturbing reports of violence against demonstrators that has left many people injured, tear gassed, or beaten, and protest organizers with arrest orders against them. I am very concerned about the arrest orders against protest leaders and ask that the violence and repression end immediately.
Guatemala Human Rights Commission- USA
GHRC-USA
3321 12th St, NE
Washington, DC 20017
202-529-6599
202-526-4611 fax
ghrc-usa
ghrc-usa.org
www.ghrc-usa.org