Human Security
We support communities in the struggles of and attainment of their basic rights for human security including the right to health, the right to education, the right to work, the right to livelihood, and the right to freedom. Our efforts focus on supporting our partners in their struggle of basic human rights. We see community leadership and empowerment as fundamental drivers for upholding human rights by holding governments and institutions accountable to the people.
Some subthemes in this area include basic human rights such as the right to health, right to work, right to livelihood; the Guatemalan government’s response to COVID-19 and hurricane affected communities; ongoing militarization of the country; feminicide; as well as threats, intimidation and violence against human rights defenders.
Related posts about security
BTS condemns criminalization of Ancestral Authorities who put their bodies and their lives on the line for democracy
Luis Pacheco and Hectór Chaclán criminalized for their role in protecting democracy. Photo credit: Meme Solano via Prensa Comunitaria In its latest attack on Indigenous Peoples’ collective organizing and democracy itself, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) unjustly arrested Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, the former president and former [...]
Ongoing eviction attempts, violence, and police repression in CCDA communities in Izabal
Ongoing eviction attempts, violence, and police repression in CCDA communities in Izabal The CCDA and a human rights commission from Costa Rica documented the inhumane conditions Q'eqchi' families in Izabal, who have been victims of evictions, have been experiencing. Photo credit: CCDA On April 7th, 2025 the communities [...]
Far-reaching eviction threat continues, as Tierra Nueva faces eviction attempt
Police attempt to evict the Tierra Nueva community. Photo credit: CCDA. On March 24th, a large contingent of police arrived at the Maya Q'eqchi' community of Tierra Nueva, located in the Alta Verapaz department. The police presented an eviction document, signed by judge Mildred Karina Juárez Alvarado, which [...]
CCDA member, Luis Xol Caal detained and facing criminalization
CCDA member, Luis Xol Caal detained and facing criminalization We demand freedom for Luis Xol Caal, defender of the territory and life of the Chabil Choch community. (photo credit: CCDA) On March 15th, 2025, Luis Xol Caal, a member of the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA) and [...]
An offering to the respected fire and to the ancestors: Honouring the lives of those who came before us
An offering to the respected fire and to the ancestors: Honouring the lives of those who came before us By Javier Every March 13th, in the area called Pak’oxom in the community of Río Negro, community members, students, activists, spiritual leaders known as Ajq’ijab’, and elders gather to commemorate the [...]
Intern update: Río Negro Presente: Honouring the lives of family members lost at the hands of the state
Río Negro Presente: Honouring the lives of family members lost at the hands of the state By: Cristina Jerez, Rabinal Community Legal Clinic Intern On March 13 1982, the Guatemalan army and Civil Defense Patrollers (PAC) murdered 177 innocent people from the community of Río Negro. 43 years later, the [...]