IRTF News

Murder of Lesbia Yaneth Urquia Urquia, a defender of indigenous and environmental rights. On July 6 she was found dead from head trauma near the municipal dump of Marcala in the department of La Paz.

Invasion of the office of the human rights defense organization Impunity Watch. On June 21, three masked men forced their way into the office of the international organization. The assailants forced a secretary who was on her way out to open the door. They covered her eyes, taped her mouth shut and ransacked the office. Impunity Watch has worked for many years in Guatemala on issues related to human rights violations committed during the country’s long armed internal conflict.

Murder of journalist Elidio Ramos Zárate, a crime reporter for the regional daily newspaper EL Sur. Ramos Zárate was reporting on several blockades and buses set on fire by teachers protesting in Juchitán. Ramos was the third journalist killed in Oaxaca this year.

Assassination of human rights defender Brenda Marleni Estrada Tambito, the Sub-Coordinator of the Legal Aid Commission of the Coalition of the Workers' Union of Guatemala(UNSITRAGUA).

detention of Alvaro García, a leader of the Victim’s Association of Magdalena Medio (ASORVIMM), and criminalization of other community leaders in Bella Unión and El Guayabo in the municipality of Puerto Wilches in Santander Department.

assassination of Diego Choc Pop, an indigenous and campesino human rights defender from the San Juan Tres Ríos community in Cobán Department which he represented at the General Assembly of the Highlands Campesino Committee.

repeated intimidation and surveillance of Pedro José Cruz and Bertha de León, human rights lawyers involved with corruption cases

murder of René Martínez, LGBTI rights defender and President of Comunidad Gay Sampredrana for Integral Health, an LGBTI advocacy group based in San Pedro Sula.

attacks, harassments, and threats against members of COPINH, including COPINH leader Alexander García Sorto, COPINH General Coordinator Tomás Gómez Membreño, and international observer accompanying COPINH Giulia Fellin.

appeal action and requested review of prison release of María Teresa Rivera, a woman who had a miscarriage but in 2011 was sentenced to 40 years in prison for aggravated homicide.