GUATEMALAN "WOMAN OF COURAGE" ASSISTS VICTIMS OF

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000262

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/IWI ABOTTNER AND IMARR
DEPT ALSO FOR WHA/CEN AND DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KWMN KPAO PHUM KJUS KDEM KCRM EAID SOCI
GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN "WOMAN OF COURAGE" ASSISTS VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE

REF: A. STATE 16553

B. GUATEMALA 164

C. 08 GUATEMALA 1359


1. (U) Summary: On March 4, the Ambassador met with 2009
Guatemalan "Woman of Courage" Norma Cruz to personally
congratulate her in advance of her visit to Washington to
participate in the Secretary's awards ceremony and related
activities. Cruz, co-founder and director of local NGO
Survivors Foundation, discussed the daunting challenges
facing her organization. She expressed concern over the
pervasive climate of impunity, the growing violence against
women, and corruption in the judicial sector, but felt
hopeful that the new legislation against sexual violence and
trafficking in persons would help put an end to the impunity.
End Summary.


2. (U) During a March 4 courtesy call on the Ambassador,
Norma Cruz, one of eight women selected from more than 80
nominees worldwide for the Secretary's 2009 International
Women of Courage Award (ref A),thanked the Ambassador on
behalf of her organization for the Embassy's nomination (ref
C). Cruz said she was very pleased with the recognition as
it is not only for her and her team but for all women who are
fighting against violence and for women's rights in
Guatemala. She expressed concern over the increase in
killings of women, which she lamented is part of the sad
reality of a country where "one kills another for any
reason." She noted that there is violence everywhere, not
only in the streets but also in homes, and that while the
country is no longer at war the killings have not stopped.
She underscored the importance of passing a law regulating
arms and ammunition, noting that 90 percent of killings of
women involve firearms.


3. (U) Cruz thanked the Ambassador for the Embassy's support
on recently enacted legislation against sexual violence,
exploitation, and trafficking in persons (ref B),which she
characterized as an important tool that will greatly help in
ending the impunity of violence against women. Impunity, she
said, is the key issue, the biggest challenge for the
country. She expressed particular concern over the growing
power of organized crime in narcotrafficking and human
trafficking and its infiltration into the judicial sector.
She observed that organized crime is corrupting the judicial
sector and changing the panorama of criminal activity.


4. (U) The Ambassador highlighted USG support to the GOG on
preventive efforts. He noted that the previous week the USG
provided training on domestic violence to 60 National Civil
Police (PNC) officers at the Police Academy as part of our
efforts to help professionalize the Guatemalan police force.
He noted that while the majority of the students were women,
there was much enthusiasm among the students and that the
training was well received. The seminar focused on various
themes related to domestic violence, including machismo,
sexual harassment, and techniques on how to interview
aggressors.


5. (SBU) According to Cruz, corruption among judges is
undermining justice. She said that some judges have ties to
drug cartels and are bribed to look the other way. She
commented that the chief prosecutor of the anti-TIP unit is
very competent and diligent but is hampered by suspended
sentences handed down by the courts. Likewise, the Attorney
General, whom she described as "very honest" and "very
responsive," and PNC Director Marlene Blanco face enormous
challenges. She indicated that her organization, which has
Qchallenges. She indicated that her organization, which has
14 lawyers, recently helped secure the first-ever conviction
against a PNC officer for domestic violence and convictions
against four other police officers for obstruction of justice
in that case.


6. (U) Since January 2008, USAID has financed a USD 25,000
sub-contract to the Survivors Foundation under its Rule of
Law program to provide legal support to victims of homicide,
particularly female victims. With this assistance, the
foundation has been able to provide legal services to
third-party plaintiffs, including victims and victims' family
members, in domestic violence cases, as well as psychological
counseling and social services to victims. USAID support to
the foundation resulted on February 26 in the conviction and
37-year prison sentence of a PNC officer for the killing of
his PNC girlfriend.


7. (U) Press coverage of Cruz and the "International Women of
Courage" awards ceremony has been extensive and

overwhelmingly positive. Cruz was featured in all the local
major print media, including two front-page photos, as well
as radio and TV broadcasts, including Voice of America and
international network CNN in Spanish and English.


8. (U) Comment: Cruz's USG-supported crusade against sexual
and domestic violence in defense of Guatemalan women is a
testament to the willpower of dedicated individuals to make
change despite rampant violence and systemic corruption. As
the recipient of the 2009 International Women of Courage
Award for Latin America, Cruz publicly highlights the
courageous efforts of her organization and the plight of
female victims of violence in Guatemala.
McFarland