IRTF News

threats to human rights defender Malena Mariet Martínez Montoya, a member of the Sucre branch of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE). She was threatened at the dental clinic where she works in Sincelejo, Sucre Department.

Threatening pamphlets against indigenous rights organizations that were found on the streets and railroad tracks in Uribia municipality in La Guajira Department.

Eviction order for the environmental defense organization Encampment for Life and the issuing of arrest warrants for 18 of its members in Tocoa, Colón Department. We are also concerned about an attack by security agents of a mining company which left Encampment member Rigoberto Hernández López injured from a bullet wound

Armed attacks by the Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) against members of the Peaceful Resistance Movement of the Ixquisis Microregion, San Mateo Ixtatán municipality, Huehuetenango Department

Murders of two men affiliated with the environmental defense organization Ríos Vivos Movement of Antioquia (MRVA): Julián de Jesús Areiza Moreno, age 20, and the son of Juan de Dios Ramírez.

Attack on Rolanda de Jesús García Hernandez, an indigenous Mayan K'iche journalist working for teleSUR, an international television network, who was reporting on environmental destruction.

Beating, arrest, and arbitrary detention on August 14 of Edwin Choc and Martín Chub, local leaders of the Farmer’s Committee of the Highlands (CCDA). Police detained them in Cobán, Alta Verapaz Department, after they attended a meeting with government authorities that was part of the Permanent Dialogue between authorities, campesino and indigenous communities.

Murder of Ángel Estuardo Quevado on July 12 in the municipality of Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Rosa Department, Guatemala. He resided in the municipality of Casillas and was a member of the Peaceful Resistance movement of Santa Rosa, Jalapa, and Jutiapa that is demanding the permanent closure of the Escobal silver mine, owned by your company and operated by your subsidiary, Minera San Rafael, S.A.

Assassination of Juana Raymundo, age 25, a nurse and member of the Campesino Development Committee (CODECA). She disappeared the night of July 27 from Nebaj in Quiché Department. On July 28 neighbors found her dead body, showing signs of torture, near a small river between the Nebaj and Acambalam communities.

assassination of indigenous and environmental human rights defender Ángel Estuardo Quevedo in Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Rosa Department, on July 12. He was a member of the Peaceful Resistance of Santa Rosa, Jalapa and Jutiapa. The group has been organizing community opposition to the Escobal silver mine, owned by Canada-based Tahoe Resources and operated in partnership with Guatemala-based Minera San Rafael, S.A.