Author Archives

• UN Human Rights – Stop treating indigenous human rights defenders like criminals

  By kevodell on July 29, 2021 • ( 0 )

  United Nations human rights experts have expressed concerns over the criminalisation, violations of due process, and health rights of Bernardo Caal Xól, a Q’eqchi’ Maya Indigenous leader and Guatemalan human rights defender. “Mr. Bernardo Caal Xól has been criminalised because… Read More ›

• US curbs work with Guatemala after anti-corruption leader removed

  By kevodell on July 28, 2021 • ( 0 )

  A new piece on Al Jazeera on a response of the U.S government of the recent sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval. The United States has said it will pause some cooperation with Guatemala’s criminal prosecutor after the head of a… Read More ›

• Despite Outrage, Guatemala Continues to Bulldoze Anti-Corruption Edifice

  By kevodell on July 27, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Alex Papadovassilakis writes in InSight Crime on the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval last week from his post as head of FECI, Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity, and after-shocks. The dismissal of Juan Francisco Sandoval, the country’s leading anti-corruption prosecutor,… Read More ›

• “It’s Hard to Find an Honest Judge in Guatemala Now”

  By kevodell on July 26, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Ahead of the news of the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval, the head of FECI, at the weekend, El Faro published an interview with leading Guatemalan human rights advocate, Helen Mack. Alongside Sandoval, Gloria Porras, Érika Aifán, and Jordán Rodas,… Read More ›

• Guatemala’s Top Anti-Corruption Attorney Flees Country

  By kevodell on July 26, 2021 • ( 0 )

  On Saturday, July 24th, El Faro published a breaking news note regarding the sacking of Guatemala’s leading prosecutor and chief anti-corruption figure, Juan Francisco Sandoval, and his subsequent flight to safety. Needless to say, these events will have serious consequences… Read More ›

• When Justice Prevails

  By kevodell on July 22, 2021 • ( 0 )

  In the latest newsletter, from Skylight, Pamela Yates features an interview with Kate Doyle of the National Security Archive (NSA). A powerful recent example [of justice cascade] comes from Guatemala, a small country yet one where human rights defenders have… Read More ›

• High-Risk Courts judges continue to face challenges

  By kevodell on July 17, 2021 • ( 0 )

  A series of tweets from Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network highlight the challenges facing the rule of law and judicial independence that the elites are trying to disband. The tweets are accompanied by graphics, as above, containing more information about… Read More ›

• The Election of Gloria Porras by the University High Council

  By kevodell on July 14, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Impunity Watch have just published a report, in Spanish, regarding the election of Gloria Porras to the Constitutional Court. On 4 March 2021, the Superior University Council (Consejo Superior Universitario – CSU) of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala… Read More ›

• Amnesty for War Crimes is Back on the Table

  By kevodell on July 7, 2021 • ( 0 )

  In the midst of attempts to block justice being carried out either with regard to corruption or historical crimes, particular powers are attempting to introduce, into law, amnesty for crimes against humanity and genocide. Jeff Abbott writes in The Progressive… Read More ›

• Guatemala’s Counterattack against Anti-Corruption Campaign

  By kevodell on July 6, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Gabriel Labrador writes in El Faro about the concerted attack by affected powers against anti-corruption figures in Guatemala. Targets include Judge Erika Aifán, who leads the capital’s highest-risk ‘D’ court, the Director of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI),… Read More ›