Dear PILAs members,

I think some of you might be interested to read the following.
Kepa>

>Subject:      Urgent Action Guatemala - WOMEN ORGANISATION'S MEMBERS
ASSAULTED
>To:           [log in to unmask]
>
>Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 16:31:41 -0800
>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: [log in to unmask] (Christian Task Force on Central America)
>Subject: Urgent Action Guatemala
>
>
>URGENT ACTION * URGENT ACTION * URGENT ACTION *
>
>WOMEN ORGANISATION'S MEMBERS ASSAULTED
>
>Dear Friends;
>
>We received an urgent action request from the Guatemalan women's
>organisation, Women In Solidarity (AMES), concerning the attack against
>AMES and another women organisation Mujer Vamos Adelante.
>
>* According to AMES, last October 11 heavily armed men entered their office
>at 9 am, threatening and kicking two of the women working there. The men
>stole computer equipment, a television, a video recorder, sound equipment,
>medicine from their clinic, and cash.
>
>* In the office of Mujer Vamos Adelante the women were also atacked and
>robbed.  The acts of intimidation were perpetrated the same week of the
>International Women's march.  In several cities in Guatemala thousands of
>women marched demanding an end to violence and poverty.
>
>* The first week in November, the women's organisation working the project
>Reduction of Violence against Women in the Province of Izabal was also
>assaulted.  We do not have detailed information about this act of violence.
>
>
>BACKGROUND INFORMATION
>These break-in are the latest in a wave of threats, intimidation, violence
>and robberies against human rights and somen organisations in Guatemala in
>recent months. Activists point to the fact that General Rios Montt, current
>President of Congress, who has been accused by Rigoberta Menchu of genocide
>against Mayan people and the recent appointment of Byron Barrientos --
>former military intelligence officer -- as Minister of the Interior as one
>of the causes for the rise of violence. Barrientos was a member of the G-2
>army intelligence unit, a military structure documented by the Historical
>Clarification Commission (CEH) and in the REMHI report as responsible for
>acts of violence such as torture, enforced disappearances of children,
>women and men and massacres against the Guatemalan people.
>
>To date, the Alfonso Portillo administration has done little to combat or
>investigate escalating violence against human rights workers. For many,
>Prime Minister Chretien's lack of knowledge about Guatemala's background
>and current situation during  his fall visit to the region to discuss trade
>issues, set a dangerous precedent .  Prime Minister Chretien did not meet
>with representatives of human rights organisations which could be
>interpreted by those in power that Canada is uninterested in human rights
>or ending impunity in Guatemala. The same night that Prime Minister
>Chretien left Guatemala, human rights groups were threatened.
>
>Women, in particular, have suffered greatly as victims of violence
>themselves or as survivors of acts of violence against their family members
>and loved ones. When a husband or partner is killed, the woman often must
>take on the added responsibilities of sole bread-winner, family counseller,
>care-giver for elderly parents and in-laws, and single parent. The effect
>on women's mental and physical health has been substantial. AMES works with
>many women victims of the 36-year long civil war.  AMES' work is with
>people who are excluded from land, education and healthcare.  They provide
>service to women working in sweatshops and living in marginal areas.
>
>RECOMMENDATIONS
>Please write to the Guatemalan authorities via fax, email or mail:
>
>* expressing your concern at these latest acts of intimidation against
>women and human rights workers in Guatemala
>
>* asking for an objective and complete investigation into the attacks and
>intimidation  of members of AMES and Mujer Vamos Adelante organisations and
>the robbery of valuable office equipment and files
>
>* to bring those responsible to justice in order to break the cycle of
>impunity in the country.
>
>* an end to the climate of insecurity and impunity caused by the lack of
>respect for human rights or for the rule of law.  To promote and
>implement a policy of protection  and respect for women and their
>organisations.
>
>* that the Guatemalan Government, following the recommendations from the
>Truth Commission, remove and do not appoint in positions of power
>those accused of gross human rights violations.
>
>Appeals to:
>
>Sr. Alfonso Portillo
>Presidente de la República
>Palacio Nacional
>Ciudad de Guatemala
>Guatemala, C.A.
>Fax: 011-502-221-4537
>or:  011-502-230-1508
>
>United Nations Mission to Guatemala
>MINUGUA
>Boulevard Los Próceres, 18-67 zona 10
>Guatemala City, Guatemala
>Tel: 011-502-366-8211
>Fax: 011-502-367-3155
>
>Minister John Manley
>Ministry of Foreign Affairs
>House of Commons
>125 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, Ont.
>K1A 0A6 (no postage needed)
>Fax: 1-613-996-3443
>
>Ambassador  Alain Culham
>Canadian Ambassador to C.A.
>Canadian Embassy
>13 calle 8-44 zona 10
>Edyma Plaza, 8th Floor
>Apartado Postal 400
>Guatemala City, Guatemala 01010
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>COPIES TO:
>
>Prensa Libre
>13 calle 9-31, zona 1
>Guatemala City, Guatemala
>Tel/Fax: 011-502-251-8768, 230-2193, 230-2257
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>[log in to unmask]
>Alliance Against Impunity/Alianza Contra la Impunidad
>1a calle  0-11 zona 2,
>Guatemala City, Guatemala
>Tel/Fax: 011-502-232-2651
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE!
>
>Christian Task Force on Central America
>408-207 West Hastings
>P.O. Box 65899
>Station F
>Vancouver, BC V5N 5L4
>phone: 604-875-9218
>fax: 604-875-0919
>[log in to unmask]
>
Kepa Artaraz
School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences (SHLSS)
University of Wolverhampton
Stafford Street
Wolverhampton WV1 1SB

Tel: 	01902-322 409
Email:	[log in to unmask]
Fax No: 00 44 1902-322 739


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