The International Land Coalition (ILC) expresses its concern about the serious situation of criminalisation and violation of human rights of peasant and indigenous organisations in Guatemala in the practice of their role as peaceful defenders of their lands and territories. So far this year, four defenders of organisations that are part of the ILC have been murdered, while one of them is missing.

These are the murders of Misael López (11/8/2020), Fidel López (23/06/2020) and Dominga Ramos (05/03/2020) of the Committee for Peasant Development (CODECA); and Medardo Alonzo Lucero (15/06/2020) of the New Day Ch’orti Central of Indigenous Peasant Organisations. Carlos Enrique Coy, defender of the Verapacense Union of Peasant Organisations – UVOC, is missing (03/08/2020). In addition, Benoit Amedee Maria (10/08/2020), a French human rights defender and director of Agronomists and Veterinarians without Borders who worked for the indigenous Mayan Ixil communities, was murdered.

In addition, there have been five attempts at extra-judicial eviction of indigenous communities in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz and Izabal, which show the insecurity of land tenure experienced by peasants and indigenous people in the country.

To read the full article and download the statement : click here