VP/HR — Situation for human rights defenders in Guatemala

5.6.2018

Question for written answer E-003064-18
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Xabier Benito Ziluaga (GUE/NGL)

There has been a worrying rise in attacks on human rights defenders during Guatemala’s prolonged political crisis. In 2017, 483 assaults were reported on human rights defenders, including 53 murders. Six people have been killed since May 2018: Luis Marroquín from the Comité de Desarrollo Campesino (CODECA — Committee for Campesino Development), and José Can, Mateo Chamán, Ramón Choc, Alejandro Hernández and Florencio Pérez from the Comité Campesino del Altiplano (CCDA — Campesino Committee of the Highlands), some of whom had previously received threats. What is more, there have been serious security incidents targeting the General Coordinator of the Central de Organisaciones Campesinas Ch’ortí Nuevo Día (CCCND — ‘New Day’ Ch’ortí Campesino Organisations Confederation) and other community leaders from this organisation.

1. Does the VP/HR intend to publically condemn these murders and urge that the safety of human rights defenders and community leaders be guaranteed?

2. What steps will the VP/HR take to ensure the protection of the General Coordinator of the CCCND, Jacob Omar Jerónimo, and other CCCND members under threat: Lucas Jeremías Hernández Estrada, Héctor Ovidio Vásquez Gómez, Selfido Natividad Asmen, Pedro Esquivel Martínez, Silverio and Reyna Vásquez?

3. In line with the EU Guidelines on human rights defenders, does the EU Delegation intend to visit these regions to meet the CCCND, the CODECA and the CCDA, as well as to visit the prisons in which leaders are jailed?