Carlos Maaz Coc was an artisanal fisherman who lived in the community of El Estor on the banks of the Lago de Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala. On Saturday, May 27, he was shot dead by police in riot … Continue reading
As the pressure mounts, the US-owned mine continues to operate. The waste-water tailing pond continues to fill as material is extracted and treated with a chemical bath – procedures not fully addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment, and without any oversight regarding the structural integrity of the holding tank or mandatory testing of possible contamination of the local water supply. Continue reading
A recent report presented to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) explores the growing presence of Canadian mining companies in Latin America, highlighting a series of environmental and social concerns, and raising questions about who should ultimately be held … Continue reading
[español abajo] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 8, 2013 Mining License Approved in Wake of Violence, Investigation into Murder Pending (Washington, D.C.) – After more than two years of delay, the Guatemalan Minister of Energy and Mines (MEM) announced on Wednesday, … Continue reading
As the four-month mark of the Bernardo Arévalo administration approaches, the battle between the president and Attorney General Consuelo Porras has intensified. In recent weeks as Porras has remained in office, the criminalization of human rights defenders and others has … Continue reading
The spring in Guatemala has been full of events, as President Bernardo Arévalo tries to balance relationships with the private sector and the United States while pushing forward on his commitments to justice for all sectors and transparency within his own government. The … Continue reading
On January 30th, the Constitutional Court ruled that representatives affiliated with the Semilla Movement cannot be recognized as members of that party within the Congress of the Republic. With this decision, the Court confirmed a prior ruling by Judge Fredy … Continue reading
Our Winter Quetzal features the leadership of Guatemala’s Indigenous in the struggle to defend democracy. See the Quetzal here and donate to our work here. Last week we awarded the Alice Zachmann Human Rights Defenders Award to Judge Miguel Angel … Continue reading
The last week has been eventful in Guatemala, as the Attorney General’s Office, in alliance with other sectors, continues its efforts to overturn the election results and prevent Bernardo Arévalo from assuming the presidency. Even as Under Secretary of State … Continue reading
In a new bid to hinder President-elect BernardoArévalo’s assumption of his duties as president in January 2024, last week the Public Ministry accused Arévalo and Vice-President-elect Karen Herrera of supporting student protests at the University of San Carlos last year … Continue reading
Guatemala Human Rights Commission 