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      <font size="1"><a href="https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Attacks-on-Human-Rights-Activists-Set-New-Record-in-Guatemala-20201218-0010.html">https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Attacks-on-Human-Rights-Activists-Set-New-Record-in-Guatemala-20201218-0010.html</a>
      
      </font><h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Attacks on Human Rights Activists Set New Record in Guatemala</h1>December 18, 2020</div>

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                                                <p>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.</p>                                                  
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                 
<p>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.</p>                                                  
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                <p>The highest records 
of violence were seen in the departments of Guatemala, Izabal, Alta 
Verapaz, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Solola and Chiquimula.</p>                                                        
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                <p>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. </p>                                                  
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                 
<p>Udefegua considered that President Alejandro Giammattei's 
administration has promoted repression, criminalization, and violence 
against social activists. </p>                                                   
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                <p>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. </p>                                                     
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                <p>"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.</p>                                                       
                                        
                                                                
                                            
                                                 
                                                
                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                        
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