Environmental Human Rights: News & Updates

On behalf of IRTF’s Rapid Response Network (RRN) members, we wrote six letters this month to heads of state and other high-level officials in Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, urging their swift action in response to human rights abuses occurring in their countries.  We join with civil society groups in Latin America to: (1) protect people living under threat, (2) demand investigations into human rights crimes, (3) bring human rights criminals to justice.

Volunteers with the Rapid Response Network (RRN)—together with IRTF staff—write letters in response to six urgent human rights cases each month. We send copies of these letters to US ambassadors, embassy human rights officers, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, regional representatives of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and desk officers at the US State Department. To read the letters, see https://www.irtfcleveland.org/content/rrn , or ask us to mail you hard copies.

UN experts, led by Marco Feoli Villalobos of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture (SPT), urged Guatemala to safeguard the human rights of detainees after their second visit to the country. Despite challenges in transportation and communication, the delegation inspected over 20 detention facilities, including prisons, migrant shelters, and children's homes. They found alarming conditions that could amount to torture and called on Guatemala to modernize its criminal justice system with input from all branches of government. The SPT will share its findings and recommendations in a confidential report with Guatemala, encouraging the state to make it public. The delegation also engaged with civil society and international organizations during their visit.

In Guatemala, widespread protests have erupted against corruption and impunity within the government. Demonstrators demand the resignation of corrupt officials, including Attorney General Consuelo Porras, and express frustration over a history of oppressive systems. Indigenous leaders and various sectors of society have joined an indefinite national strike since October 2nd, seeking dialogue with the government. Despite attempts at peaceful resolution, the government responded with repression, deploying police and military forces. President Giammattei's lack of political will to address corruption led to continued protests. Paramilitary groups and drug traffickers threatened protesters, intensifying the situation. President-elect Bernardo Arévalo sought support from the U.S., but the long-term interests of both countries differ. The unity of the Guatemalan people, including those in the diaspora, remained strong. Peaceful protests at the Public Ministry persisted despite government attempts to disperse them. The demonstrations, spanning various sectors and communities, echoed the historic resistance of Indigenous Peoples, marking a collective demand for democracy, the right to protest, and an end to corruption and impunity in Guatemala.

Alejandro Encinas, Mexico's top human rights official leading the investigation into the 2014 disappearance of 43 students, resigned amid one of the nation's worst human rights atrocities. Encinas, a critic of the Mexican armed forces, accused the military of involvement in the students' disappearance. However, doubts arose about the evidence, leading to scrutiny. Encinas was also targeted by the Pegasus spyware while investigating the military, undermining President López Obrador's anti-surveillance promises. Encinas resigned to support Claudia Sheinbaum's presidential campaign. The case, emblematic of a dysfunctional system, remains unsolved, with no convictions. The departure leaves ongoing concerns about the investigation's integrity and the military's transparency.

Indigenous-led protests in Guatemala City continue for the third week, demanding the resignation of the attorney general and judicial officials accused of undermining democracy. Indigenous authorities have initiated blockades nationwide, fearing efforts to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office. Despite facing threats and attacks, the demonstrations are marked by resilience and solidarity, featuring music, art, and community support. Protesters vow to stay until officials resign, emphasizing the importance of democracy in their struggle against government corruption and oppression.

Guatemalan Interior Minister Napoleón Barrientos resigned amid ongoing pro-democracy protests and disagreements within President Alejandro Giammattei's administration on handling roadblocks. Barrientos, favoring dialogue with protesters, stepped down after a shooting near a roadblock. Attorney General Consuelo Porras, demanding immediate blockades removal, had called for Barrientos' dismissal. The unidentified shooters prompted condemnation from Barrientos' ministry. Indigenous groups, protesting alleged interference in elections, vow to maintain roadblocks until Porras and prosecutors resign. The government appointed a replacement, emphasizing adherence to the rule of law. Barrientos' resignation reflects administration weakness amid civil unrest.

In Guatemala, ongoing protests demanding an orderly transition for President-elect Bernardo Arevalo took a violent turn. One person died and four were injured in clashes on Monday. Arevalo, a reform-oriented leader, won a significant victory in August. However, the independent attorney general's intensified investigations into the election and Arevalo's party raised concerns. Protesters, numbering in the tens of thousands, demanded the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and other judicial officials accused of politically-motivated inquiries. Armed groups attacked protesters, leading to injuries and fatalities. President-elect Arevalo expressed support for the peaceful demonstrators and called for authorities to ensure their safety.

Before Guatemala’s presidential election, candidate Bernardo Arévalo initially had low expectations of winning, preferring to return to his private life after the campaign. However, his unexpected appeal led him to finish second in the initial vote, forcing a runoff which he won by a landslide. Arévalo, a former diplomat and peacemaking expert, is now the president-elect of Guatemala, facing challenges in a country marred by violence, poverty, and a history of civil war. The son of a former president, Arévalo spent his childhood in exile during Guatemala’s military governments, which feared his father’s popularity. He pursued studies in sociology and political sociology, eventually engaging in peacemaking efforts globally. Arévalo became a congressman in 2020 and ran for president, winning on a platform focused on rooting out corruption. His victory has sparked efforts to nullify the election results, with investigations and challenges from various quarters. Despite the challenges, Arévalo, known for his calm demeanor and integrity, vows to tackle corruption, expand social services, and lead Guatemala toward a better future.

In Philadelphia, a mural at 2200 E. Norris Street celebrates Mariana Cobos, an exceptional Fairtrade banana farmer in Ecuador. Mariana, a rare female farmer in a male-dominated industry, joined AsoGuabo, a Fairtrade banana cooperative, in 2010. Despite challenges, she persisted, contributing significantly to AsoGuabo's success. The cooperative, earning a Fairtrade Premium of $1 per box of bananas, utilized these funds for various initiatives, including farm efficiency improvements and healthcare services. The mural, created by artist Betsy Casañas, embodies Mariana's resilience and the importance of Fairtrade choices in supporting farmers like her. Fairtrade America emphasizes the impact of Fairtrade products, urging consumers to prioritize farmers' well-being.