For Immediate Release: August 27th, 2007
Contact: Marselha Gonçalves Margerin 202-463-7575 ext 224

RFK Memorial Calls for Investigations into Political Violence, Free and Fair Elections in Guatemala

After the death of more than 40 candidates and activists, RFK Memorial is calling on the Guatemalan government to act quickly to stem further violence and possible political intimidation as elections approach.

WASHINGTON DC – The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial expresses grave concern about the recent murders, violence and intimidation aimed at human rights defenders, political candidates and their families in Guatemala during the recent electoral cycle.

RFK Memorial urges the Guatemalan attorney general’s office to begin a prompt and transparent investigation into allegations of political motivations potentially behind the string of murders. General elections in Guatemala are scheduled for September 9, 2007. The international community fears that possible political motivation behind the violence in this young democracy could influence the outcomes of the upcoming presidential elections.

More than 40 political candidates, activists and their family members have been assassinated since the start of 2007. In one party alone, the National Unity for Hope (UNE), 20 candidates have been assassinated with impunity. Meeting for Guatemala (EG), the party of 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner and presidential candidate Rigoberta Menchú, has seen six candidates murdered, and at least seven members of the National Revolutionary Guatemalan Unity (URNG) have been killed so far in 2007.

“Severe threats, fabrications and conspiracies define the current political atmosphere in Guatemala,”said 1990 RFK Human Rights Award winner Amílcar Méndez Urízar, founder of Guatemala’s Council for Ethnic Communities. “Such instability can create anarchy and chaos, culminating in the assassinations of high officials, posing a threat to the future of democracy and human rights in Guatemala and the region.”

Amílcar Méndez Urízar’s son, José Emanuel “Pepe” Méndez, was shot to death in Guatemala City on August 17th, 2007 by assailants with high caliber weapons. For most of his life, Pepe Méndez worked with his father as an advocate of for human rights of Guatemala’s indigenous communities. RFK Memorial is concerned that Pepe Méndez 's death may be associated with these activities.

RFK Memorial is calling on the Guatemalan government to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the recent assassinations and to take the steps necessary to ensure free and fair elections. RFK Memorial urges the government to take steps to guarantee indigenous groups are not intimidated to avoid voting or to only vote for certain candidates.

“The impunity given to those who commit violent acts against human rights defenders and political candidates will only increase the vulnerability of those trying to create a robust democracy that respects the human rights of all people in Guatemala,” said Monika Kalra Varma, director of the RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights.

Source: Robert F. Kennedy Memorial (www.rfkmemorial.org)