Wave of violence against Guatemalan NGOs

The perpetrators are persons close to the government and economically influential circles, says Ana Gladys Ollas of the Unity for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a national human rights movement.

By Eva Rasmussen

26. July 2005

On March 8 there was a break-in to the offices of the National Co-ordinator of Campesino Organisations (CNOC) in Guatemala City. This attack marked the onset of a wave of violence against organisations that co-operate with CNOC.

“The abuses are so similar in nature they cannot be a mere coincidence”, says Ana Gladys Ollas of the Unity for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, an institution that keeps track of attacks on persons involved in the defence of human rights and assists victims in filing complaints. 

“All the thefts have been directed at organisations that work for a more just distribution of the land, as well as against the environmental and social damage caused by strip mining and the Free Trade Agreement between the United States, the Dominican Republic and the other countries in Central America (DR-CAFTA)”, Ana Gladys tells us.

Two modalities

Apparently there are two modalities to these acts of intimidation, and both are such that it is impossible to think these are common crimes. The usual is that everything in the office is turned upside down and thrown about, but the only things that go missing are computer hard disks, plans of action, accounting reports and photographs. Some organisations have also had their vehicles stolen. The other possibility is that the doors are left open, it is made obvious people have been rummaging about in the place, but nothing is missing.

“These break-ins have several objectives: They are intended to intimidate us to such a degree that we stop our actions, they want to paralyse us by stealing our working tools, they want to have the names of the activists and ultimately get some idea of where our weaknesses lie. If that weren’t the case, of what interest could our accounting be to them?” asks Daniel Pascual, member of the CNOC board of directors and co-ordinator of the Campesino Unity Committee (CUC), an MS partner organisation. 

The break-ins and vehicle thefts are complemented by the criminalisation of the activists. Last year, accusations were introduced against over one hundred CUC leaders. Thus far there are orders for the arrest of 56 of them, including Daniel Pascual. 

“I’m being accused of inciting people to commit crimes”, he tells us. “The assumption is that through our actions in favour of land and titles for landless family farmers, we have encouraged people to take over landed properties. In other words, my crime consists of having used my freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. With the orders for my arrest the authorities are criminalizing freedom of expression with the aim of paralysing us.”

The penalty for inciting others to commit a crime is of four to six years in prison. This, however, does not deter or silence the CNOC: “Most of us have lived through war in Guatemala … honestly, we have all gone through worse things than being in jail. These recent experiences only serve to make us insist upon our rights. Also when we face the door to a prison cell.”

Disturbing message

Amnesty International is of the opinion that the outbreak of violence against civil society in Guatemala carries implicit a disturbing message, to the effect that “the work of these organisations will not be tolerated.” Those instigating the violence, writes Amnesty International in a press release, are “clandestine groups” that seek information on the activities being undertaken by civil society in order to hamper their political work. Nevertheless, Ana Gladys Ollas believes the perpetrators are not all that clandestine: “These are people who are close to the government and economically influential circles. Keep in mind that there are powerful economic interests at stake when we talk about land, mining, the Free Trade Agreement.” 

The apparatus that has been activated to silence Guatemalan activists is quite large. During the first five months of this year the Unit for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has recorded 75 cases. Are the civil society organisations really so strong that they draw this much attention from those in power?

Yes, say both Ana Gladys Ollas and Daniel Pascual. “We demonstrated our strength when in March we organised a huge march against the ratification of the DR-CAFTA. The police responded harshly. One person was killed and many were wounded, one of the leaders of the CUC so seriously his leg had to be amputated. However, the struggle continued with the CNOC at the forefront. That was when the systematic break-ins began”, recounts Ana Gladys.

“According to a Vox Latina poll, 75 percent of Guatemalans reject the Free Trade Agreement because it really only benefits a small but powerful group, while the poor are going to end up paying for it. Yes. We do have power”, declares Daniel Pascual. 

Damage to efficiency 

“The violent tactics undermine the efficiency of the organisations”, comments Annabella Sibrian, MS Programme Officer in Guatemala. “The break-ins depress people. Anyway, how is one to implement strategies, comply with work plans and so on, when all the hard disks have disappeared?” she asks. 

The first thing MS and other international NGOs do when abuses are committed against Guatemalan organisations is to visit them. “We try to be very visible so as to show the persons who did this, and who surely are watching the place, that they cannot intimidate us and make us cut off co-operation”, she continues. “After the visit we try to arouse international support. Among other activities, we write to the Embassies, and keep up active contact with the affected organisations.” 

“MS co-operates with CEIBA, CUC, and through them the CNOC, and we will continue our co-operation. We will soon be placing Danish Development Workers at both CEIBA and CUC. Despite the seriousness of the situation, we will nor stand by with our arms crossed. Now, of course the development worker will have to be very well informed regarding what’s going on before leaving Denmark.”