poem from tribunal tower 42 years into the future: will we have unlearned genocide? April 24, 2024 By: Romi Fischer-Schmidt, New Hope Foundation cooperant This is a reflection on the experience of walking with four Maya Achi women survivors (Pedrina López Depaz, Paulina Ixpatá Alvarado, Máxima García Valey, Margarita Alvarado [...]
The delegation visits the Rabinal Community Legal Clinic offices. Today was an emotional one in many ways. We heard of the genocidal attacks on the Maya people from three perspectives. One perspective was from Isabel Osorio, wife of Jesus Osorio Tecu, who survived the attacks to flee into [...]
We arrived in Guatemala late last night (May 4) and stayed at the Casa San Benito in Guatemala City. After a breakfast of tortillas, beans, eggs and papaya, we loaded into our mini-bus and drove to the town of Rabinal, the centre of the Maya Achí community. In the afternoon, [...]
I am a cooperant at the New Hope Foundation, Rio Negro, located in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. By: Romi Fischer-Schmidt, New Hope Foundation cooperant What an honour it is to be welcomed into the learning community of the Intercultural Bilingual Community Education Centre (CECBI, Centro Educativo Comunitario Bilingüe Intercultural). [...]
Yesterday, Guatemala celebrated the 25th National Day for the Dignity of the Victims of the Internal Armed Conflict. Survivors from across the country marched through Guatemala City to honour the loved ones who were taken from them by state violence, to demand the return of the disappeared, and to call [...]
The day started with Maya Kaqchikel researcher Aura Cumes' presentation of her expert report on Harassment, Persecution and Displacement in Xesiguan, Rabinal. The report examined the Achi people’s experience of Guatemalan military control during the Internal Armed Conflict. Cumes found that the army used the Achi people themselves against their [...]
The court buildings where hearings are taking place. Photo credit: Lenora June 15, 2023 Written by Lenora A Pattern of Genocidal Violence Four witnesses shared recorded testimonies today. While the sound was not very good and it is preferable to have the witness present, it was crucial to [...]
June 14, 2023 Written by Lenora [Content warning: Survivor testimony contains graphic and disturbing descriptions of the aftermath of the massacre.] Three more witnesses from Rabinal gave testimonies today. Three Witnesses Remember the Family Members They Lost, Demand Justice The first witness, Paulina Alvarado Ixpatá, is one of the 36 [...]
June 13, 2023 Written by Lenora [Content warning: Survivor testimony contains graphic descriptions of the aftermath of the massacre.] Today witnesses for the prosecution continued to provide testimony in the Rancho Bejuco case. As a reminder, 11 men stand accused in the Rancho Bejuco massacre. On July 29, 1982, 10 [...]
Monday, June 12, 2023 Written by María Photos of the victims from the massacre of Rancho Bejuco posted on the wall surrounding the cemetery in Rabinal, BV. (Photo Credits: Verdad y Justicia) First Expert Witness Describes Military Structure, Campaigns and Chain of Command On the second day of [...]
