The July Update from the Guatemala Human Rights Commisison (GHRC) was recently shared.
In hopeful news, Indigenous land rights activist Lolita Chávez has returned to her home in the K’iche after seven years of exile. In 2017, she suffered an attempt on her life for her efforts to curtail illegal logging and defend the environment, forcing her to flee to Spain. Notable community leaders, supporters, and President Bernardo Arévalo visited K’iche to celebrate her homecoming on June 28th.
Meanwhile, in the trial of former General Benedicto Lucas Garcia, genocide survivors from Guatemala’s civil war continued to give their testimony, helping to pave the way to a future of greater historic memory and justice.
At the same time, President Arévalo continues to face attacks by the Public Ministry (MP) and Attorney General Consuelo Porras. This is despite overwhelming international condemnation of the attempts by Porras and the MP to overturn Arévalo’s electoral victory in 2023. Porras, along with other officials, has been sanctioned for corruption and undemocratic conduct by over forty countries, including the United States.
Corrupt actors continue to weaponize the justice system to criminalize independent judges, lawyers, anti-corruption prosecutors, and other justice workers. In early July, Virginia Laparra, a well-respected former prosecutor, was sentenced to 5 years of commutable prison, a fine of 50,000 quetzales, and a prohibition barring her from holding public office for ten years. On July 8, the GHRC co-signed a letter condemning this ruling and pledging our continued support to Virginia Laparra.
We continue to stand with Virginia Laparra, and all others who defend the rule of law in Guatemala. In these uncertain times, the upcoming judicial elections have the potential to significantly impact the human rights situation in Guatemala for years to come. We sincerely thank you for your solidarity and support!
You can read the full update, with links, here, GHRC: July Update.
Categories: Criminalisation, Environment, Genocide, Guatemala, Human Rights, Impunity, Indigenous peoples, Justice, Report, Resource Extraction, Solidarity in Action
Guatemala Solidarity Network 
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