OMINOUS SIGNS COME IN THREES: LATEST HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUATEMALA 000962

SIPDIS

HARARE FOR BRUCE WHARTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KJUS GT
SUBJECT: OMINOUS SIGNS COME IN THREES: LATEST HUMAN RIGHTS
SETBACKS

REF: A. 02 GUATEMALA 3160


B. 02 GUATEMALA 3213

C. 02 GUATEMALA 3275

D. GUATEMALA 884


1. (U) Both in the capital and farther afield, new human
rights concerns are popping up in Guatemala. To the north,
in Quiche, a Mayan priest and human rights activist was
murdered; to the east, in Izabal, the Human Rights Ombudsman
(PDH) Auxiliary office was ransacked; here in the Guatemala
City, the home of Nineth Montenegro (New Nation Alliance
(ANN) Congresswoman and Mutual Support Group (GAM) founder)
and Mario Polanco (GAM Director) was robbed. Embassy
inquiries and efforts to support activists continue, as shown
in the Peccerelli case, but deteriorating security conditions
and governmental apathy remain troubling. End Summary.

Violence Strikes Again in Quiche
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2. (U) Diego Xon Salazar, a Mayan priest, was found dead
Saturday, April 5, in Quiche province. Xon Salazar had
reportedly been receiving death threats due to his active
role in GAM, a human rights NGO, and his protest of the
resurgence of the ex-civilian patrollers (ex-PACs) in
war-torn Quiche. GAM is denouncing the GOG for knowledge of
death threats against Xon Salazar and refusal to provide
protection. An investigation of his death remains pending.
This is the second murder of a Mayan indigenous activist in
six months, the first being Antonio Pop Caal of Alta Verapaz
in October 2002. (Ref A)

Auxiliary Ombudsmen at Risk?
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3. (U) Waldemar Barerra, Auxiliary Ombudsman in Izabal
province, reported that he was assaulted and his offices
ransacked in early April. Barerra reported that his
investigation reports and computer equipment were stolen, but
valuable items were left behind, leading him to believe that
the thieves were politically and not economically motivated.
Barerra's office has been involved in a number of high
profile cases, such as the Chocon case, involving the former
anti-narcotics police, and the murder of journalist Mynor
Alegria, as well as the investigation of many campesino
killings. (Ref B)

Domestic Tranquility Shattered
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4. (U) Professionally active and powerful, yet personally
private, duo Nineth Montenegro and Mario Polanco were
victimized on April 7, when five armed men stormed their home
and robbed them of property valued over 100,000 quetzals
(12,500 dollars) and issued threats to Polanco, who was in
Geneva with a delegation of human rights leaders. Montenegro
is an outspoken leftist congresswomen known for her work
against impunity and for transparency. Polanco is the
Director of GAM and is very involved with the human right's
movement's proposal for a Commission to Investigate Illegal
Bodies and the Clandestine Security Apparatus (CICIACS). (Ref
C)


5. (U) The Ambassador called Montenegro on April 7, to
express our concern and to inform her that he had spoken with
both Minister of Government Reyes Calderon and Police Chief
Manchame to push for a quick investigation and immediate
police protection of Montenegro, Polanco, and their family.
Montenegro thanked the Ambassador and promised to inform the
Embassy of further developments. DCM and Human Rights poloff
met with Vice Minister of Government Caceres on April 10 and
pressed him to provide all possible protections.

Peccerelli Update
--------------


6. (U) Following-up on Ambassador's March 31 meeting with
Minister of Government Reyes Calderon (Ref D),DCM and HROff
escorted Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation (FAFG)
Director Fredy Peccerelli to a meeting with Vice Minister of
Government Caceres. DCM thanked Caceres for the police
protection the MOG has provided the FAFG in the past, and
asked him to consider the personal details and perimeter
security that Peccerelli requested in response to recent
death threats. Caceres agreed to do so immediately and faxed
the Embassy a copy of his official order to the police for
Peccerelli's protection within three hours of the meeting.

Comment
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7. (U) While deflating, these recent attacks re-enforce the
need for continued USG pressure to push for the protection of
human rights in the Capital and in the countryside. We will
continue to lobby the GOG for investigations of these
egregious murders and robberies, as well as protection for
those human rights leaders and government entities who
soldier on despite such glaring obstacles and setbacks.
HAMILTON