ACt, for a better future . . .
You might be asking yourself what you can do.
It's quite simple.
Share this story.
Only through diffused knowledge of the past we can hope that justice will take place and same mistakes won't be committed again.
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Use the powerful tools offered by technology to fight oblivion and make your voice of outrage be heard.
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WHY?
Because when you think that there is not much you can do, remember that spreading knowledge is the best weapon to fight indifference.
SHOULD SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS BECOME PRESIDENTS?
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,
ARTICLE 3:
" The following acts shall be punishable:
(a) Genocide;
(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;
(c) Direct incitement to commit genocide;
(d) Attempt to commit genocide;
(e) Complicity in genocide."
The Guatemala Civil War has ended, a war in which the State has had the main role in committing grave human rights abuses. However the State can be accused of being responsible of yet another omission towards its citazens: the lack of justice that has followed the country's pacification process.
Only now, after 30 years from the genocide, has the impunity began to be fought concretely, with the first court trials carried out. This process has led to the first criminal persecutions, up to the trial against ex-President Rios Montt (January 2012).
Only now, after 30 years from the genocide, has the impunity began to be fought concretely, with the first court trials carried out. This process has led to the first criminal persecutions, up to the trial against ex-President Rios Montt (January 2012).
WHAT ABOUT OTTO PEREZ MOLINA?
Presumption of innocence is a right. But so is justice.
- MOLINA:
Was military major in the Nebaj region, in Quiché, where most of the genocide crimes took place. Others fellow military men in Nebaj have already been found guilty of grave war crimes.
Today, the National Security Archive is revisiting previously posted documents that detail Pérez Molina’s military career and link him to human rights atrocities committed during Guatemala’s 36-year internal conflict. The documents provide evidence of the retired General’s involvement in “scorched earth” campaigns in the 1980s and an account of his rise to high levels of influence and power within the Guatemalan intelligence apparatus.
- MOLINA:
Has been accused of involvement in the killing of Bishop Gerardi, who launched the REMHI project to reconstruct the violence during the Civil War, accusing the State of its crimes through thousands of reported cases. Instances have also been presented to accuse him of the disapearance of Efrain Bámaca Velasquez.
Today, July 6, 2011, three human rights defenders presented a formal report of torture, or “Allegation Letter”, to Professor Juan Mendez, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. The letter alleges that General Otto Pérez Molina, now a leading presidential candidate in Guatemala, was directly involved in the systematic use of torture and acts of genocide during the long civil war in Guatemala. Specifically, he was on the ground and in command in the Ixil triangle in 1982 during the village by village massacre campaign, and he was directly responsible for the long term torture and disappearance of prisoner of war Efrain Bámaca Velasquez.
Not enough evidence to start a trial has been collected yet. However we should question ourself if a war general, even only suspected of atrocities, should have the right to run for presidency without first a deep investigation on his past. This especially after he has publicly denied the Maya genocide:
"Now when they talk about genocide, I want to know who said that there was genocide in Guatemala"
("Ahora cuando hablan de genocidio, yo quiero saber quién dijo que en Guatemala hubo genocidio". Declared by Otto Perez Molina when interviewed by Plaza Publica. Text available: http://www.plazapublica.com.gt/content/quiero-que-alguien-me-demuestre-que-hubo-genocidio.)