URGENT: Government Repression of the Mayan Ixil People of Nebaj, Guatemala

[Catherina]

Last edited Sat May 4, 2013, 05:10 AM - Edit history (3)

URGENT: Government Repression of the Mayan Ixil People of Nebaj, Guatemala
Posted on May 3, 2013

May 2, 2013 – Tobias Roberts, an MCC service worker in Nebaj, is accompanying this community in this tense situation. The community is asking for international attention to ensure that the situation is resolved without violence, and that their rights are respected.

In the next 24 hours, hundreds of police and military forces will occupy on the small town of Nebaj nestled in the mountains of northern Guatemala.

The military and police forces are being sent to forcefully reinstate ex-mayor Virgilio Bernal of the governing party who lost the 2011 municipal elections by more than 3,000 votes. Due to a confusing legal battle regarding anomalies in the 2011 election ballot, the Guatemalan electoral authorities determined that the elections would be repeated and the Bernal, as ex-mayor, should immediately resume office.

Behind this strange turn of events, many Ixil leaders, including the ancestral authorities that MCC supports, believe that there are other forces at work.

The current trial against former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide against the Ixil people during the Civil War of the 1980´s has polarized the nation. The president of Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, was an army major that was stationed in Nebaj during the worst atrocities of the Civil War, and during the genocide trial proceedings, was identified by witnesses as participating in the massacres and extrajudicial assassinations of the Ixil people. Ex-mayor Bernal has recently gained support from the current government by denying that genocide took place during the Civil War in the Ixil region.

Many of the ancestral authorities of the Ixil region believe that the current militarization of Nebaj and the strange decision by the Guatemalan electoral authorities to reinstate ex-mayor Bernal are part of a strategy to adversely influence the current trial for genocide against former dictator Ríos Montt.

Furthermore, the democratically elected mayor of Nebaj, Pedro Raymundo Cobo, during a recent visit of President Pérez to the Ixil region, demanded the cancellation of recent licenses for mega-hydroelectric development signed by the current government. The Guatemalan government has stated its belief that multinational foreign investment in rural areas, especially for mining and hydroelectric development, is the key to developing the rural areas of Guatemala.

In the Ixil region of Guatemala, there are currently two mega-dams that have built, three others with licenses to begin construction, and eight others with exploratory licenses. All of these projects have been signed into existence without the proper consultation of the Ixil people as stipulated by national and international law. Furthermore, these projects leave no benefit to local communities, many of whom live without access to electricity and are the ones who suffer the environmental damage provoked by these mega-dams and the social conflict that they create.

Again, the ancestral leaders of the Ixil people believe that the current handling of the electoral situation in Nebaj is a strategy by the national government to impose a local leader (ex-mayor Bernal) who has demonstrated his openness to follow the government´s “development” strategy despite much opposition from the Ixil people.

It is possible that the TSE’s unjust ruling, made in the midst of a historical juncture for Guatemala, is a strategic move on the part of the Perez-Molina government to divide and exhaust the Ixil people, distracting them from the genocide trial and the conflicts over land and development. This also destabilizes the region in order to justify a new militarization to protect transnational and national corporate interests against local opposition.

We ask for the support of the international community to be conscientious of the dangerous situation of the re-militarization of the community of Nebaj.

Photo source and further information: http://www.prensalibre.com/quiche/Juzgado-Quiche-repeticion-comicios-Nebaj_0_911909084.html

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

http://lacaadvocacy.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/urgent-government-repression-of-the-mayan-ixil-people-of-nebaj-guatemala/

[napoleon_in_rags]

1. Rec'd. Indigenous rights are human rights.

We are all, literally indigenous peoples...Some living in our ancestral home and some of us not.

[Judi Lynn]

2. The eyes of the world should be focused upon Guatemala now & for a long time to come.

The citizens of Guatemala have been the target of nightmares for generations, genocide, massacre, endless torture, rape, incredible mutilations, buried alive in groups in wells, and in mass graves, etc., etc., etc.

They have been burned to death, raped, bludgeoned, hacked to pieces in massacres related to the installation of World Bank and International Money Fund sponsored dams already, leaving whatever survivors they could locate much later to make long pilgrimages carrying coffins to take the remains of their mass-buried relatives to more respected sites for a more honored resting place.

Since the international companies and their government puppets aren't going to change, it's up to the world's conscience to start focusing on these crimes against humanity, against the spirit of mankind, against life. There is NO greater sin in this world.

[Catherina]

3. Direct message, Ixil graffiti in downtown Guatemala City to "Commandante Tito" (Pres Molina)

We the Ixil people are not forgotting you Comandante Tito" reads a graffiti on 6th Ave & 24th St in Zone 4, downtown Guatemala City

"Los Ixiles no te olvidamos Comandante Tito" se lee en un grafiti escrito en la 6a avenida y 24 calle de la zona 4.

http://www.contrapoder.com.gt/es/20130426/lente/161/Los-Ixiles-no-olvidan.htm

[Catherina]

4. Message to ex-mayor Virgilio Bernal: "If you dare come, I will capture you myself"

See original post for quote "police forces are being sent to forcefully reinstate ex-mayor Virgilio Bernal of the governing party who lost the 2011 municipal elections by more than 3,000 votes."



If you enter Virgilio "I WILL CAPTURE YOU MYSELF WITH MY OWN HANDS". Ixil woman.
Posted by WCC on May 2, 2013



We have information that the former mayor of Nebaj Virgilio Guzman Bernal is calling his people to go to the town center where there is a permanent assembly of over 5000 people gathered to watch and defend the municipality against the threats of re-instating the former mayor.

We continue to receive people from the communities and deputy mayors of different microregions. A lady of Ixil ethnicity declared "I WILL CAPTURE YOU MYSELF WITH MY OWN HANDS".

....

We report that the former mayor is encouraging his people with the words "War is necessary today", "If blood runs today, blood has to run", "I called 500 soldiers to come support us, do not fear ". Apparently these people are psychologically prepared to clash against the population, which remains peacefully in the center of town, guarding the city because they do not want the former mayor to take over the municipal building, where the legitimately elected Pedro Raymundo Cobo has been serving since 2012.

...

http://cmiguate.org/2013/05/02/si-entra-virgilio-yo-misma-lo-capturo-con-mis-propias-manos-mujer-ixil/

[Catherina]

5. Imminent threat of militarization/violence. riot police on their way to depose elected mayor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEBAJ, GUATEMALA (Site of Genocide against the Ixil Maya now under trial in Guatemalan National Court)
2 May, 2013, 2:55 AM

IMMANENT THREAT OF MILITARIZATION AND VIOLENCE: More than 100 residents of Nebaj, Guatemala are peacefully demonstrating outside of city hall. They are under threat of violence at the hands of riot police on their way to depose democratically-elected mayor Pedro Raymundo Cobo. Demonstrators are expressing their disapproval of an arbitrary court decision that unjustly deposes mayor Cobo, who was democratically-elected in September, 2011. The action of the court and the military response puts the lives of many Nebajenses in jeopardy as they peacefully demonstrate to protect their electoral rights.

Call to Human Rights Organizations, Indigenous peoples' organizations, solidarity networks, independent media, and people working in solidarity for peace and justice. Urgent Request for: human rights observers and reporters.

Help to prevent a possible bloodshed caused by the government of President Otto Perez-Molina in order to justify the militarization of the region. The violent repression also silences the voices and the desires for justice of the Ixil Maya who are bringing to trial, in the Guatemalan National Court, former military dictator Efrain Rios-Montt and members of his top command, all charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. Another possible purpose for the government's intimidation tactic is to silence the Ixil through fear and distraction, so that the entry of national and transnational corporations poised to install hydroelectric plants and extract non-renewable natural resources can be met with little or no resistance.

THE CONTEXT:
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) annulled the elections held on September 11, 2011 in Santa Maria Nebaj, Quiche, which brought to power Pedro Raymundo Cobo, of the UNE-GANA Coalition with more than 12,000 votes. The decision of the TSE seeks to restore to power the former mayor, Virgilio Bernal of the Partido Patriota, until new elections are conducted to choose a local mayor. Bernal, who only received about 9,000 votes, is a member of the Partido Patriota, the same political party as President Otto Perez-Molina, who was a Major stationed in Nebaj during the couter-insurgency war and who has been implicated in war crimes during testimony against former General Rios-Montt.

The elections of September 2011 were duly certified by the Regional Electoral Board of El Quiché, when Pedro Raymundo Cobo, was declared mayor-elect of Nebaj. The decision of the TSE (case #2815-2011) rescinds the accreditation of the Regional Electoral Board, and restores to power the previous municipal leadership, headed by Virgilio Bernal, who has already held the mayorship for two terms in a row.

The TSE made this decision after the Supreme Court of Justice ruled that there was an unfair "disadvantage” since the Patriot Party candidate's name did not appear on the ballot. However, it is the responsibility of each party to submit the names of candidates for the elections in a timely manner; it is not incumbent upon the voters of Nebaj to pay for institutional errors or the Patriot Party's own negligence.

THIS TSP RULING, WHICH IS ARBITRARY AND LACKING IN ETHICAL OR LEGAL BASIS, TRAMPLES ON the VOTES OF MORE THAN 12,000 PEOPLE, MAKING A MOCKERY OF DEMOCRACY AND THE IXIL-MAYA's RIGHT TO VOTE.

These events are taking place during the trial against former dictator Efrain Rios-Montt, who is accused of committing acts against humanity and genocide against the Ixil people during Guatemala's Counterinsurgency war. During the judicial process, President Otto Pérez Molina, member of the same political party as Virgilio Bernal, has been implicated in war crimes.

An agreement allowing the multinational corporation "ENEL" to start operations on a hydroelectric plant in the region, was signed in late March of this year by Pres. Perez-Molina, by the Mayor of Cotzal (who is also a member of the Partido Patriota) and representatives of ENEL. This agreement violates the Ixil-Maya's right to prior consultation on development projects in their territories established by the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Convention 169, and it ignores promises previously established with the Q'esal Tenam (indigenous mayors) of Cotzal as representatives of the Ixil community who are opposed to the hydroelectric project due to economic and ecological concerns, as well as the lack of transparency and community consultation mechanisms.

It is possible that the TSE's unjust ruling, made in the midst of a historical juncture for Guatemala, is a strategic move on the part of the Perez-Molina government to divide and exhaust the Ixil people, distracting them from the genocide trial and the conflicts over land and development. This also destabilizes the region in order to justify a new militarization to protect transnational and national corporate interests against local opposition.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE TO SEND HUMAN RIGHTS OBSERVERS AND REPORTERS.
[e-mail]

THANKS TO ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS AND FRIENDS
WHO HAVE EXPRESSED their SOLIDARITY BY STATING
"WE ARE ALL IXIL!"

http://www.facebook.com/IdleNoMoreCommunity/posts/169856536510859

John Kerry? President Obama? Here's a real election cause for you, if you care

[Judi Lynn]

7. The United States has incurred a vast debt to the people of Guatemala,

going back ages, and it owes for the hundreds of thousands of lives of good people brutally slaughtered with its full support throughout this entire time.

President Obama himself only recently was forced to apologize for the deliberate suffering, torment, death inflicted by US doctors upon unknowing Guetamalan citizens just for EXPERIMENTS, beyond the deliberate violent torture and murder by US supported criminal death squads of Guatemalan elderly, children, men and women, and the total destruction of their homes, fields, and animals.

[bemildred]

6. Now there is a country that needs regime change. nt

[ocpagu]

8. Horrible.

Just goes to show how the far right mindset of the Guatemalan establishment hasn't changed a bit. Another reason why the criminals shouldn't be left unpunished.

Thanks for the thread.