y dear friends and family,
I am writing you from Guatemala, where I recently finished two very intense weeks of training on Guatemalan history and politics, as well as our role as Human Rights Accompaniers in this context. During that time, I learned that I have been assigned to work with human rights defenders in the Ixil region, which has its regional center in Nebaj.
I am writing you from Guatemala, where I recently finished two very intense weeks of training on Guatemalan history and politics, as well as our role as Human Rights Accompaniers in this context. During that time, I learned that I have been assigned to work with human rights defenders in the Ixil region, which has its regional center in Nebaj.
Justice for Genocide in the Ixil
Located in the northwest of the country, the Ixil is home to many people from the Maya Ixil and K'iche' communities. During Guatemala's 36-year civil war, however, the Ixil came under heavy assault by the government's military forces, with civilian populations ruthlessly butchered.
In particular, in the period from 1981 to 1983, the country's president, Jose Efrain Rios Montt, conducted a devastating scorched earth policy to destroy Mayan communities. In these two years, Rios Montt's forces (which included the country's current president, Otto Perez Molina) wantonly massacred, tortured, disappeared, raped and forcibly resettled thousands of the region's inhabitants, decimating between 70 and 90 percent of Ixil villages and killing about 5.5 percent of the country's total Ixil population.
Located in the northwest of the country, the Ixil is home to many people from the Maya Ixil and K'iche' communities. During Guatemala's 36-year civil war, however, the Ixil came under heavy assault by the government's military forces, with civilian populations ruthlessly butchered.
In particular, in the period from 1981 to 1983, the country's president, Jose Efrain Rios Montt, conducted a devastating scorched earth policy to destroy Mayan communities. In these two years, Rios Montt's forces (which included the country's current president, Otto Perez Molina) wantonly massacred, tortured, disappeared, raped and forcibly resettled thousands of the region's inhabitants, decimating between 70 and 90 percent of Ixil villages and killing about 5.5 percent of the country's total Ixil population.
In 2013, survivors of the military's many brutal atrocities came together to demand justice with the support of several groups, including the Center for Legal Action in Human Rights (CALDH) and the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR). They filed a case against Rios Montt and several other high-ranking officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity; hundreds took the stand to affirm that genocide had indeed occurred.
On May 10, 2010, despite unending efforts by Rios Montt's defense team to derail the judicial process, the ex-president was found guilty of both charges, making him the first former leader to be found guilty of genocide in his own country. Ten days after the delivery of justice, the sentence was suspended due to shady legal maneuvering, and the trial was moved back to be retried from an earlier date. The trial has been recently be re-opened, but questions remain about whether it will move forward, as the National Institute of Forensic Scientists recently deemed Rios Montt too senile to continue (it was later discovered that the results of this medical examination were manipulated and it remains to be seen whether he will be judged capable of standing trial). Nonetheless, despite the ongoing miscarriage of justice in the Rios Montt case, many of the witnesses felt vindicated by the sentence, suspended or not.
On May 10, 2010, despite unending efforts by Rios Montt's defense team to derail the judicial process, the ex-president was found guilty of both charges, making him the first former leader to be found guilty of genocide in his own country. Ten days after the delivery of justice, the sentence was suspended due to shady legal maneuvering, and the trial was moved back to be retried from an earlier date. The trial has been recently be re-opened, but questions remain about whether it will move forward, as the National Institute of Forensic Scientists recently deemed Rios Montt too senile to continue (it was later discovered that the results of this medical examination were manipulated and it remains to be seen whether he will be judged capable of standing trial). Nonetheless, despite the ongoing miscarriage of justice in the Rios Montt case, many of the witnesses felt vindicated by the sentence, suspended or not.
The genocide's survivors tirelessly continue their struggle to achieve justice against other high-ranking military and political officials responsible for the genocide. Given that their efforts challenge many who remain in power, enjoying a sense of impunity for their heinous crimes, these human rights defenders are often under threat. In this context, human rights accompaniment is a useful tool, providing a dissuasive physical presence and a measure of security, thereby allowing Guatemalan communities the space to organize in defense of their rights. Accompaniers also monitor and report on the human rights situation and alert the international community to abuses.
Follow Our Journey to the Ixil
As my partner and I head out to the Ixil, I'm expecting to learn a lot more about the communities' and individuals' stories in the region. I plan to share their stories through my letters and my blog, if you're interested in learning more or sharing with those you know. If not, feel free to send me a private email and I'm happy to take you off the mailing list. I'd also love to answer any questions, hear your thoughts or receive news from your end.
I am thinking about you all and I look forward to sharing this experience with each of you!
With love,
Martha
Follow Our Journey to the Ixil
As my partner and I head out to the Ixil, I'm expecting to learn a lot more about the communities' and individuals' stories in the region. I plan to share their stories through my letters and my blog, if you're interested in learning more or sharing with those you know. If not, feel free to send me a private email and I'm happy to take you off the mailing list. I'd also love to answer any questions, hear your thoughts or receive news from your end.
I am thinking about you all and I look forward to sharing this experience with each of you!
With love,
Martha