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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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