/* Written 6:17 PM Feb 10, 1992 by cerisea in igc:reg.guatemala */ /* ---------- "Cerigua Weekly Briefs" ---------- */ CERIGUA WEEKLY BRIEFS, FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 1992 Government Criticizes State Department Report Government officials reacted strongly to the US State Department's harsh criticism of Guatemala in its annual report on human rights released January 31. The report says that most of the political murders in Guatemala during 1991 were committed by the armed forces and persons linked to or protected by the army, such as the civil patrols (PAC). Nevertheless, the State Department reported, government security forces are almost never charged with the crimes. Most political murders took place in zones of army-guerrilla conflict, where the armed forces frequently do not distinguish between guerrillas and civilians, the report continues. The State Department accuses the government of failing to duly investigate, arrest and prosecute those responsible for political murders, except in rare cases. The State Department cites three cases in which guerrilla forces were accused of political murders. President Serrano initially called the report's treatment of Guatemala "drastic" and said it could be a reaction to Guatemala's position on Cuba. The Guatemalan government recently proposed that the United States restrain from intervening directly in the case of Cuba, and leave negotiations with the Cuban government to Latin American countries. Serrano also charged that Washington's interference in Guatemala's affairs could lead to problems similar to those in Venezuela, referring to this week's attempted coup. Later, Serrano toned down his comments, saying the report recognizes progress made during the current government, since criticisms refer exclusively to events of the past. Foreign Minister Gonzalo Menendez said he doubted that the State Department report will influence the UN Human Rights Commission now in session. The report contains only value judgments and is inconsistent with the current situation, the foreign minister charged. AEU Campus Headquarters Dynamited The office of the University Students Association (AEU) and classrooms in the Schools of Chemistry and Pharmacy suffered considerable damages following the explosion of a high power bomb January 30, reported the daily Prensa Libre. AEU General Secretary Otto Peralta called the bombing an act of army intimidation against the AEU. "It's another example of army abuse of power," said Peralta. "If the president is the general commander he should control these terrorist acts against the civilian population." Peralta attributed the attack to AEU's holding a series of forums on the El Salvador peace agreement in addition to housing Committee forCampesino Unity (CUC) representatives in the AEU headquarters during the commemoration of the Spanish embassy massacre. Defense Minister Jose Garcia Samayoa announced that the military will take Peralta to court on charges of slander and defamation for accusing the army of the AEU bombing. Army public relations (DIDE) spokesman Captain Julio Yon said the army will "exercise its full right in the courts to avoid continuous political manipulation and sensationalism on the part of certain groups or sectors." Captain Yon said that Peralta is "an evil Guatemalan who on previous occasions has discredited his own country internationally" and he also criticized defamation campaigns aimed at the government and army. Yon's remarks come in reference to the AEU leader's tour of Europe last year where he spoke before the 1991 United Nations Human Rights Assembly in Geneva. After his return from Europe, Peralta became the object of threats and harassment. The University of San Carlos (USAC) condemned the attack against the AEU headquarters charging that the bombing was an attack on the democratic peace process. USAC demanded that the government explain the terrorist attempt and called on international solidarity to support united student and grassroots peace efforts. Byron Morales of the Unity of Labor and Popular Action (UASP) told Defense Minister Garcia Samayoa that the army would have to sue millions of Guatemalans for accusing it of human rights violations. UASP called the suit against Peralta a warning of repression to come. Protest of Forced Recruitment Continues The Archbishop's Human Rights Office said that current military recruitment practices violate human rights. Young men are beaten and sometimes kidnapped to join the army, the Archbishop's office told TV Notisiete. Some are forced off buses, loaded into trucks and taken to army barracks, according to the human rights office. Metropolitan Archbishop Prospero Penados said the worst aspect for the young mens' parents is that they often do not know what happens to their sons. In a special report for the daily Siglo Veintiuno January 31, the Archbishop's Human Rights Office said the army only recruits indigenous campesinos. The Archbishop's office charged that "military service is a way of preventing the victims of a system marked by economic errors, ethnic discrimination, etc., from raising their voices to demand their most basic rights that have been violated countless times." Government and military officials continue to insist "thearmy is not forcibly recruiting anyone" and such practices are "a thing of the past." President Rosalina Tuyuc of the National Council of Guatemalan Widows (CONAVIGUA) met with the Defense Minister who told her that there is a new law for recruiting. "The problem is that this law is not being put into practice," Tuyuc told TV Notisiete on February 5. She said that only three days before, army soldiers seized young men in San Jose Poaquil. Even Human Rights Ombudsman Ramiro de Leon gave the army a bad rating on recruitment in his annual report before Congress. He charged the army with flagrantly violating the Constitution by recruiting only men who are indigenous and campesinos, some of whom are minors. Amnesty International on Sexual Abuse of Women Prisoners Amnesty International (AI) says female prisoners in Guatemala and around the world are raped and sexually abused by soldiers, police and prison guards, reports the Toronto Star. "Many governments persistently refuse to recognize that rape and sexual abuse by government agents are serious human rights violations," says the AI report. The human rights organization cites the case of Guatemalan trade unionist Eva Judith Galvez who was abducted in May 1991. Galvez was interrogated about her association with two other women unionists and when she denied knowing them, was beaten, stripped and sexually abused. Her interrogators also threatened her with multiple rape for refusing to talk. She fled the country and was granted asylum in Canada. AI's report called "Rape and Sexual Abuse: Torture and Ill Treatment of Women in Detention," says that government forces sometimes use rape and sexual abuse to obtain information from women suspected of involvement with armed opposition groups. Some women are wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of men the security forces cannot capture. Among them are pregnant women, elderly women and female children. Soldiers and police officers punish political activists with rape and sexual abuse "to humiliate these women for their political or social independence," says AI. Only Three Were Guerrilla Combatants The Human Rights Ombudsman Office presented its findings on the six persons turned over by the army as guerrilla prisoners of war. Ombudsman Ramiro de Leon repeated his earlier statement that only three were guerrilla combatants. Two others were members of the army for almost the last two years, and had not been with guerrilla forces for many years, De Leon said. He confirmed statements made by the Popular Resistance Communities (CPRs) that another had never been with the rebels, but was captured by the army in January when he was returning home from a nearby village. DefenseMinister Garcia Samayoa insisted last week that all six are ex-guerrilla combatants, and none had served in the army. Resistance Communities Demand End to Persecution The Popular Resistance Communities demanded that Serrano end the persecution against the communities in resistance, and stop army plans to continue militarizing the region. The communities also demanded a guaranteed safe return to the communities for Eliseo Lopez, who the army falsely accused as a guerrilla and turned over to the Human Rights Ombudsman. Finally, the CPRs demanded the release of Antonio Acabal, who was captured together with Jacinto Terraza in 1991. Terraza's body was found near a military garrison in Quiche. Defense Minister Garcia Samayoa responded that the army has never harassed the CPRs. To the contrary, he said the communities are "in our hearts and conscience." URNG Marks 10th Anniversary In commemoration of ten years as a united guerrilla force, the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) Political- Diplomatic Team held a press conference in Mexico City. Luis Bekker, Miguel Angel Sandoval and Francisco Villagran said that signing a peace accord with the government and army is unthinkable before the entire peace agenda is discussed. Luis Bekker said progress has been made on the human rights issue, but negotiators have not yet reached the heart of the matter. Miguel Angel Sandoval said two factors are hindering progress: the government's lack of genuine political will to negotiate, coupled with ongoing, unpunished violations of human rights. Francisco Villagran emphasized the importance of establishing a truth and justice commission and international verification of respect for human rights. Ten years ago on February 7, 1982, the URNG was formed by four rebel groups: the Rebel Armed Forces (FAR), the Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA), the Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP) and the Guatemalan Workers Party (PGT). The URNG General Command released an anniversary statement reaffirming the rebels' historic role to bring revolutionary change to Guatemala. "These ten years of triumphs, setbacks and adversities have served to unite Guatemalans who want freedom, democracy, development, progress, well-being, justice and peace," said the insurgent leaders. The Rebel Armed Forces, commanded by Pablo Monsanto, also celebrated its 29th anniversary February 7. Religious Community Demands Justice for Victims of Violence International religious organizations are calling on theSerrano government to resolve pending cases of violent attacks against church workers committed to improving the lives of the poor in Guatemala. Religious workers also demanded impunity for criminals end and that the intimidation cease against members of the popular movement. The Conference of Superiors of Women's Religious Orders in the United States demanded resolution of the case of Ursuline Sister Dianna Ortiz who was kidnapped by security forces and tortured in a clandestine prison in November 1989. The women religious workers urged the army and national police to obey the judicial order to release case records. The Marista Order in Mexico published an open letter in the Mexican press to President Serrano calling for an exhaustive investigation into the unsolved stabbing murder of Spanish priest Moises Cisnero in April last year. Also, Caritas International urged the government to solve the 1991 murder of church advisor Julio Quevedo and to bring those responsible to trial. Caritas is a religious organization located in Austria, France, Holland, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Spain, England, Switzerland, Guatemala and Norway. The Conference of Evangelical Churches of Guatemala (CIEDEG) condemned the recent massacre of four peasants in Ciudad Peronia by army soldiers and threats against popular and union leaders. CIEDEG said these murders and threats show that capturing the criminals is not enough. The organization said that structures and doctrines must be changed to guarantee genuine justice so that these acts are not repeated. New Wave of Threats Against Journalists Four Guatemalan journalists are being threatened and harassed, the local press reported. They are: Nestor Hernandez, who published a photograph of an army officer who attacked him; Silvino Velazquez, covering court proceedings on the Myrna Mack murder case; Alvaro Galvez Mis with Prensa Libre; and Leonel Gutierrez with Siglo Veintiuno. They have received death threats and/or been harassed by armed men. The Human Rights Ombudsman, Guatemalan Journalists Association, a Congressional reporters' union and the Prensa Libre workers' union have protested the infringement on press freedom. Human Rights Ombudsman Ramiro de Leon demanded that the government provide the journalists with protection. ***************** In the U.S. and Canada subscribe to Weekly Briefs by sending check or money order to: ANI PO Box 28481Seattle, WA 98118 Subscription fees in the U.S. and Canada: $18 for 6 months, $36 for one year. Elsewhere, contact: CERIGUA Apartado Postal 74206 CP 09080 Delegacion Itzapalapa Mexico, D.F. Telephone: 5102320 - FAX 5109061 - Telex (17) 64525 Also please send us your comments and suggestions to the Seattle address or by email to cerisea on PeaceNet.