Translation by Breaking the Silence
Indigenous peoples,ancestral authorities and indigenous organizations, peasants, feminists, human rights defenders, environmentalists, churches and unions, gathered together today:
We reject the state of siege imposed last night according to Governmental Decree 06-2013, that affects the people of the municipality of Jalapa, the indigenous community of Santa María Xalapán and Mataquescuintla, and the municipalities of Casillas and San Rafael Las Flores in the department of Santa Rosa, under the pretext and justification that organized crime and
terrorism was operating in the region, threatening national security and private interests.
We declare that because the state of siege is based on the Law of Public Order that was approved prior to the current Constitution, this government action has been taken out of context and violates the individual and collective liberties and rights that are guaranteed to the Guatemalan population.
The case of Santa Cruz Barillas demonstrated that this measure violates the rights of women who were threatened, harassed and sexually violated; in addition, we see manifestations of psychological violence against children, the elderly and youth. States of siege also have an economic impact on the life and income of the communities, as people cannot sell nor buy products, worsening their situation of impoverishment.
This repressive court measure intends to delegitimize the non-violent social protest that has been expressed by sisters and brothers against the Minera San Rafael S.A., since 2008. In addition, it violates the constitutional rights while threatening the life and community organization of the Xinka people, and constitutes a serious reversal of the Peace Accords, particularly the Accord on the Rights and Identity of Indigenous Peoples (AIDIPI).
WE DEMAND:
1. To the Government, immediately cease the repression, criminalization and persecution carried out against leaders of territorial resistance.
2. To the Congress of the Republic, CANCEL the Governmental Decree 06-2013, and reinstate constitutional guarantees to the population of Jalapa and Santa Rosa.
3. To the Judicial Body, revoke the arrest warrants emitted against community leaders, which are being carried out by the Public Prosecutor. This has been a maneuver used in a systematic way, like was the case a year ago in the Municipality of Barillas.
4. To the Human Rights Ombudsman and to the relevant institutions, protect the physical integrity and the life of human rights defenders who are participating in legitimate protest for the defense of Mother Earth and her territory, including actions of resistance against mining, hydroelectric dams, cement factories, and other extractive projects.
5. To the international community, to remain vigilant and ready to take the relevant actions in order to guarantee the respect for the human rights of the Xinka community and indigenous peoples organized for the defense of life and territory.
6. We call on all feminist and children’s organizations, that they work together to defend the human rights and life of women and children in the territories under the state of siege.
7. We call on citizens in general to be alert to information coming from social movements in order to generate opinion and critical analysis regarding the implications of the state of siege in the region.
Guatemala, May 2nd, 2013
PARLAMENTO XINKA,
Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas de Santa
María Xalapán, Jalapa,
AMISMAXAJ, Acción Comunitaria Xinka Xalapan
Marcha Indígena,Campesina y Popular,
Comité en Defensa de la Vida de San Rafael Las Flores
UNAMG
PRODESSA
CCDA
SECTOR DE MUJERES
ASOCIACION LA CUERDA
VOCES DE MUJERES
CONSEJO ECUMÉNICO CRISTIANO DE GUATEMALA
FUNDACIÓN GUILLERMO TORRIELLO
COMITÉ DE UNIDAD CAMPESINA CUC
ASOCIACIÓN MAYA UKUX B’E
MADRE SELVA
CALAS
CAJA LÚDICA
ASOCIACIÓN CEIBA
RESISTENCIA PACIFICA LA PUYA
12 COMUNIDADES DE SAN JUNA SACATEPEQUEZ
CONAVIGUA
CER –IXIM-
CIIDH
SEDEM
GHRC
CONGCOOP
MOJOMAYAS
ALIANZA PARA EL DESARROLLO RURAL INTEGRAL –ADRI-
AUTORIDAD DE LOS 48 CANTONES DE TOTONICAPAN
CONVERGENCIA MAYA WAQIB’ KEJ
CCC NUEVO DÍA
COPISCO
SERJUS
UDEFEGUA
CONSEJO DE PUEBLOS DE TEZULUTLAN –MANUEL TOT-
COMUNIDADES CRISTIANAS DE ASUNCIÓN MITA
UNSITRAGUA
Leave A Comment