[News] Attacks on Human Rights Activists Set New Record in Guatemala

[Anti-Imperialist News]

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Attacks-on-Human-Rights-Activists-Set-New-Record-in-Guatemala-20201218-0010.html
Attacks
on Human Rights Activists Set New Record in GuatemalaDecember 18, 2020
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Guatemala's Unit for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (Udefegua)
Thursday warned of the increasing number of aggressions against human
rights defenders, noting 22 attempts of murders and 15 assassinations of
social activists so far this year.

Udefegua registered 1,004 aggressions, 338 of which were committed against
human rights female activists, 530 against men, and 136 against
collectives, communities, and organizations.

The highest records of violence were seen in the departments of Guatemala,
Izabal, Alta Verapaz, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Solola and Chiquimula.

Highlighting that there have been 313 cases of criminalization against
social activists, Udefegua called for attention to the arbitrary detention
of Anastasia Mejia, a journalist who is still facing legal proceedings.

Udefegua considered that President Alejandro Giammattei's administration
has promoted repression, criminalization, and violence against social
activists.

Previously, the greatest number of aggressions against human rights
defenders and organizations was documented in 2014 (820 acts of violence).
So far this year, however, 1.004 cases have been recorded.

"Giammattei has promoted the consolidation of authoritarianism and the
closing of spaces for democratic participation, thus implementing a
repressive policy against all those people who oppose his interests,"
Udefegua said.
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