(Texto en el idioma español después del texto en ingles.)

Urgent Call to End the Criminalization of Rigoberto Juárez and Ermitaño López, Indigenous Ancestral Authorities and Human Rights Defenders of Guatemala

October, 2024

Human rights organizations and advocates, urgently call for an immediate end to the unjust criminalization of Rigoberto Juárez Mateo and Bernardo Ermitaño López, human rights defenders and respected ancestral authorities of the Maya Q’anjob’al, Chuj, Akateko, Poptí and Mestizo people of Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

Juárez and López have dedicated their lives to the protection of Indigenous lands and the rights of their people, standing in opposition to harmful foreign-funded hydroelectric projects that threaten their environment and well-being. Despite their long-standing commitment to justice, these leaders now face renewed criminal charges that represent a grave abuse of the legal system. These charges come as a result of their legitimate efforts to mediate conflicts and advocate for their communities. The two leaders have become emblematic of the larger struggle faced by Indigenous communities in their fight to protect their land, culture, and rights in the face of powerful extractive industries.

However, despite their peaceful resistance and their commitment to dialogue and justice, both Juárez and López have become targets of legal persecution by powerful interests seeking to suppress opposition. Their criminalization is not only a deliberate misuse of the legal system but also an attempt to silence Indigenous voices and movements that challenge the government of Guatemalan’s alignment with corporate and financial interests.

The roots of this injustice can be traced back to 2009 when tensions in the region began to escalate due to the imposition of large-scale development projects without the consent of the local Indigenous communities. In response, Juárez and López stepped in to mediate between the communities and external forces, advocating for the rights of their people and calling for a halt to these destructive projects. Instead of being recognized for their legitimate efforts to protect their ancestral lands, they were met with retaliation, and eventually, fabricated charges were brought against them.

In 2016, after enduring 486 days of unjust imprisonment, both leaders were acquitted by Judge Yassmín Barrios, whose ruling highlighted the lack of evidence and the political motivations behind their detention. However, despite this victory, the Public Ministry’s relentless pursuit of an appeal has led to renewed accusations and devastating prison sentences—7 years for Juárez and a staggering 23 years for López. These sentences represent a gross miscarriage of justice, deeply rooted in racial discrimination and the Guatemalan state’s long history of criminalizing Indigenous leaders who dare to resist corporate exploitation.

The case of Rigoberto Juárez Mateo and Bernardo Ermitaño López is part of a broader, deeply troubling pattern of systemic abuses against Indigenous leaders in Guatemala. Across the country, defenders of land and human rights are facing increasing levels of intimidation, violence, and judicial harassment. The weaponization of the legal system against Indigenous leaders like Juárez and López is a clear violation of their fundamental rights and an alarming sign of the shrinking space for civil society and Indigenous resistance. We stand in solidarity with these courageous leaders and call upon the international community, human rights organizations, and all those who believe in justice and Indigenous rights to join us in demanding an end to this wrongful criminalization and to support Rigoberto Juárez Mateo and Bernardo Ermitaño López in their struggle for justice.

Call to Action

• Immediate Reversal of the Sentences: We urge the Constitutional Court of Guatemala to promptly grant the amparo filed by Rigoberto Juárez Mateo and Bernardo Ermitaño López and to overturn the unjust sentences that threaten their freedom and safety.
  
  
• End to Criminalization of Indigenous Defenders: We call for an immediate end of the systematic criminalization of Indigenous leaders exercising their right to defend their lands and cultures. The government of Guatemala must uphold its obligations under international human rights law, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
  
  
• International Pressure on the Guatemalan Government: We urge international human rights organizations, governments, and multilateral institutions to increase pressure on Guatemala to halt its persecution of Indigenous leaders. These defenders must be protected and supported, not punished, for their critical role in safeguarding human rights and the environment.
  
  
• Accountability for Corporations and Financiers: We demand accountability from corporations and financial institutions, including the Inter-American Development Bank, that have financed projects leading to the displacement and criminalization of Indigenous communities. These entities must be held responsible for their involvement in human rights violations and should withdraw support from projects that violate Indigenous rights.
  
  
• Protection for Human Rights Defenders: We call on the Guatemalan government to enhance protections for human rights defenders, ensuring that leaders like Rigoberto Juárez Mateo can continue their vital work without fear of persecution. The state must implement effective measures to prevent further criminalization and violence against defenders, in line with its international legal obligations.
  
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Llamado Urgente para Poner Fin a la Criminalización de Rigoberto Juárez y Ermitaño López, Autoridades Ancestrales Indígenas y Defensores de los Derechos Humanos de Guatemala

Octubre, 2024


Organizaciones de derechos humanos y persona defensoras de derechos humanos urgimos el fin inmediato de la injusta criminalización de Rigoberto Juárez Mateo y Bernardo Ermitaño López, defensores de los derechos humanos y respetadas autoridades ancestrales de los pueblos Maya Q’anjob’al, Chuj, Akateko, Poptí y Mestizo de Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

Juárez y López han dedicado sus vidas a la protección de las tierras indígenas y la defensa de los derechos de sus pueblos, oponiéndose a proyectos hidroeléctricos financiados por inversiones extranjeras que amenazan su entorno y bienestar. A pesar de su compromiso con la justicia, estos líderes enfrentan ahora nuevos cargos criminales que representan un grave abuso del sistema legal. Estas acusaciones son el resultado de sus esfuerzos legítimos por mediar en los conflictos y abogar por sus comunidades. Ambos se han convertido en símbolos de la lucha más amplia de las comunidades indígenas por proteger su tierra, cultura y derechos frente a las poderosas industrias extractivas.

Sin embargo, a pesar de su resistencia pacífica y su compromiso con el diálogo y la justicia, tanto Juárez como López se han convertido en blancos de la persecución legal por parte de intereses poderosos que buscan reprimir la oposición. Su criminalización no solo es un uso indebido deliberado del sistema legal, sino también un intento de silenciar a las voces y movimientos indígenas que desafían la alineación del gobierno de Guatemala con los intereses corporativos y financieros.

Las raíces de esta injusticia se dan en el año 2009, cuando las tensiones en la región comenzaron a aumentar debido a la imposición de proyectos de desarrollo a gran escala sin el consentimiento de las comunidades indígenas locales. En respuesta, Juárez y López intervinieron para mediar entre las comunidades y las fuerzas externas, abogando por los derechos de su pueblo y llamando a detener estos proyectos destructivos. En lugar de ser reconocidos por sus esfuerzos legítimos para proteger sus tierras ancestrales, fueron objeto de represalias y finalmente se les imputaron cargos falsos.

En 2016, tras soportar 486 días de prisión injusta, ambos líderes fueron absueltos por la jueza Yassmín Barrios, cuya sentencia destacó la falta de pruebas y las motivaciones políticas detrás de su detención. Sin embargo, a pesar de esta victoria, la implacable persecución de la Fiscalía ha resultado en nuevas acusaciones y sentencias devastadoras de prisión: 7 años para Juárez y de manera asombrosa, 23 años para López. Estas sentencias representan una grave injusticia, profundamente enraizada en la discriminación racial y la larga historia del Estado de Guatemala para criminalizar a líderes indígenas que se atreven a resistir la explotación corporativa.

El caso de Rigoberto Juárez Mateo y Bernardo Ermitaño López forma parte de un patrón más amplio y profundamente preocupante de abusos sistemáticos contra líderes indígenas en Guatemala. En todo el país, los defensores de la tierra y los derechos humanos enfrentan niveles crecientes de intimidación, violencia y acoso judicial. La instrumentalización del sistema legal contra líderes indígenas como Juárez y López es una violación clara de sus derechos fundamentales y una señal alarmante del reducido espacio para la sociedad civil y la resistencia indígena.

Nos solidarizamos con estos valientes líderes y hacemos un llamado a la comunidad internacional, a las organizaciones de derechos humanos y a todos aquellos que creen en la justicia y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas para que se unan a exigir el fin a esta criminalización injusta y que apoyen a Rigoberto Juárez Mateo y Bernardo Ermitaño López en su lucha por la justicia.

Llamado a la Acción

• Revocación Inmediata de las Sentencias: Instamos a la Corte Constitucional de Guatemala a conceder prontamente el amparo presentado por Rigoberto Juárez Mateo y Bernardo Ermitaño López, y a revocar las sentencias injustas que amenazan su libertad y seguridad.
  
  
• Fin a la Criminalización de Defensores Indígenas: Exigimos el fin inmediato de la criminalización sistemática de los líderes indígenas que ejercen su derecho a defender sus tierras y culturas. El gobierno de Guatemala debe cumplir con sus obligaciones bajo el derecho internacional de los derechos humanos, incluida la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas (DNUDPI).
  
  
• Presión Internacional sobre el Gobierno de Guatemala: Instamos a las organizaciones internacionales de derechos humanos, a los gobiernos y a las instituciones multilaterales a aumentar la presión sobre Guatemala para que detenga la persecución de líderes indígenas. Estos defensores deben ser protegidos y apoyados, no castigados, por su papel crucial en la protección de los derechos humanos y el medio ambiente.
  
  
• Rendición de Cuentas para Corporaciones y Financieros: Exigimos responsabilidad por parte de las corporaciones e instituciones financieras, incluido el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, que han financiado proyectos que han llevado al desplazamiento y criminalización de las comunidades indígenas. Estas entidades deben ser responsables de su participación en violaciones de derechos humanos y deben retirar su apoyo a proyectos que violen los derechos indígenas.
  
  
• Protección para los Defensores de Derechos Humanos: Hacemos un llamado al gobierno de Guatemala para que fortalezca la protección de los defensores de derechos humanos, asegurando que líderes como Rigoberto Juárez Mateo y Bernardo Ermitaño López puedan continuar su labor vital sin temor a la persecución. El Estado debe implementar medidas efectivas para prevenir la criminalización y la violencia contra los defensores, de conformidad con sus obligaciones legales internacionales.

July 2024, Guatemala Diaspora Delegation from Chicago

The delegation to Guatemala, which took place from July 3rd to the 13th, included five leaders from the Guatemalan community. This delegation was a collaboration between CRLN, the Maya Ixil Accompaniment Project, NISGUA, and AJR (Association for Justice and Reconciliation). The delegation was an independent initiative from Guatemalan leaders in Chicago seeking to reconnect with their roots and the desire to understand a border context of human rights in Guatemala. Jhonathan, with the support of Evelyn Zepeda, led the group with a larger aim of mentoring and strengthening a new generation of young leaders in Chicago, emphasizing the importance of human rights work and its connections to Latin America and the United States.

One of the main objectives of the delegation was to accompany members of the AJR , survivors of the Guatemala genocide during the trial happening in the country at the time. The AJR has played key roles in major legal cases, such as the case against former General Rios Montt. The delegation attended court hearings, met with local human rights organizations, including CODECA, and visited the Historic Memory Museum (Casa de la Memoria). The group also traveled to Nebaj and visited a community that survived a massacre, where the delegation heard powerful testimonies from survivors. The partnership with NISGA provided both logistical and programming support, making the trip a significant collaboration among the three organizations.

CRLN provided guidance, expertise, logistics support, and financial support for the delegation.

Click here to see more photos of the delegation.

Historical Memory Project: Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón

The Historical Memory Project: Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón was a transformative educational initiative that emerged from a partnership between CRLN and DePaul University’s HumanitiesX fellowship. Launched in the Spring of 2024, the project connected students to critical human rights contexts in Central America, particularly Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Under the guidance of Professors Dr. Susana Martínez and Dr. Lydia Saravia from DePaul University, along with CRLN’s Co-Director Jhonathan Gómez, the project integrated interdisciplinary study, community engagement, and collaborative art. Students explored historical memory and social justice by researching human rights challenges, particularly issues related to political violence, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights. This collaboration resulted in students producing impactful art and advocacy materials that reflect the region’s struggles for justice, further deepening community awareness of these important issues.

The course was designed as an innovative model, merging academic study with real-world activism. Students participated in archival research using CRLN’s resources and DePaul’s Special Collections, gaining insights into the history of social movements in Central America. They also worked directly with CRLN staff and local activists to research the intersections of climate change, land rights, and transgender issues in Central America. The culmination of the course was an interactive public art exhibit in Chicago, which invited community members to engage with themes of human rights and historical memory through various art forms, such as screen printing and weaving. This event not only educated the public but also provided students with practical skills in using art as a tool for social change and political education.

Faculty contributions were key to the success of the project. Dr. Martínez and Dr. Saravia provided expertise in historical and cultural contexts, helping students analyze migration narratives and the role of rhetoric in social justice movements. Student fellows, including Angelina Álvarez and Safiyah Simkins, played an essential role in organizing the course’s activities and supporting peers in collaborative research. The active involvement of CRLN connected academic exploration to lived experiences, enhancing the course’s real-world relevance. Together, these contributions helped bridge academic learning with community activism, demonstrating the potential of universities to serve as hubs for social transformation and public humanities.

The Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón project is poised for future expansion. Building on the success of the Spring 2024 course, participants plan to extend this model, incorporating student-created materials into public events and communications. Further curricular developments are also underway, with plans for a study-abroad course in Guatemala that will deepen students’ engagement with local human rights movements. The project’s innovative approach to combining art, education, and activism serves as a blueprint for future collaborations, offering a scalable model for institutions seeking to integrate creative expression into social justice education and public advocacy. This ongoing collaboration exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary partnerships in advancing human rights education and fostering global solidarity.

Click here to read about the fellowship here.

Click here to read about the student’s interactive public art exhibit.

Join us on Wednesday, June 12 for a unique In-Person Student Public Art Event

WHAT: In-person Student Public Art-Making Event
by DePaul University Students
WHEN: Thursday, June 12, from 11:30 AM to 1:45 PM
WHERE: Latinx Cultural Center – O’Connell Room 360
at 1036 W. Belden Ave, Lincoln Park

We are very glad to invite you to a special in-person Collaborative Public Art-Making event at the Latinx Cultural Center at DePaul University. Join us from 11:30 AM to 1:45 PM and experience remarkable art projects by students from the “Historical Memory Project: Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón” class. Students will also invite people who attend to join in the art making. This unique event will feature projects that can provide insights into:

• El Salvador: Sin Tierra, Sin Frutos. Exploring the fight of Trans people.
• Guatemala: Culture is not for sale. The role of Guatemala’s textiles as a centuries-old form of Indigenous cultural resistance.
• El Salvador: Rompe La Carcel. Mega prisons, their connection to gang culture, and societal consequences.
• Guatemala: The Destructive Fruit Company. A look at the infamous Unite Fruit Company’s legacy of colonialism and imperialisms.
• Honduras: Climate Activists: de la tierra somos, a la tierra regresamos. Exploring land rights through the work of human rights defenders like Berta Cáceres.

This event is the culmination of a collaboration between CRLN and HumanitiesX at DePaul University. In 2023, CRLN was honored with a fellowship by DePaul University, allowing us to work closely with the exceptional professors Susana Martínez and Lydia Saravia. You can read more about this unique and inspiring project HERE.

We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at jgomez@clrn.org, or mmckenna@crln.org.


En resistencia y solidaridad permanente

Jhonathan F. Gómez

Dear CRN friends,

Once again, we are asking you to stand in solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

WHEN: Friday, May 31, 11am
WHERE: Consulate General of El Salvador in Chicago, 8605 W Bryn Mawr Ave STE310, Chicago, IL 60631

On June 1, the people of El Salvador will be subjected to an illegitimate regime led by President-elect Nayib Bukele, who intend to entrench themselves indefinitely as part of the oligarchy. The recent elections were unconstitutional and fraudulent, giving rise to an imposed, illegal, and illegitimate government. We urge you to speak up and stand with the people of El Salvador who REJECT AND REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE this new government.

As part of the international Human Rights community we have repeatedly expressed concerns about the authoritarian and repressive nature of Bukele’s government, which has become particularly urgent following his election into office through an unconstitutional election process.

Nayib Bukele and his legislative majority have undermined democratic checks and balances by allowing Bukele’s re-election against constitutional prohibitions, removing independent judicial figures, and weakening anti-corruption measures. This has raised significant concerns about the state of democracy in El Salvador.

This reality disproportionately impacts impoverished and marginalized communities hardest through repression and criminalization in the form of mass disappearances under the guise of a “state of emergency;” targeted political persecution; ruthless evictions and land dispossession; severe disinvestment in the education and agricultural sectors; relentless harassment of health care workers; massive, unlawful municipal layoffs; the deliberate defunding of educational institutions, notably the National University of El Salvador (UES);and escalating violence against women and LGBTI+ communities.

The 25-month state of emergency, initially adopted to combat gang violence, has led to widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, overcrowded prisons, due process violations, and political prisoners. Over 73,000 people, including children and non-gang-related individuals, have been detained, with reports of harsh prison conditions and numerous deaths in custody.

As CRLN, we join in the efforts of the diaspora community of El Salvador in Chicago, Alma de Izote collective, Cipotex de Chicago collective, and especially the international call of action by the Bloque de Resistencia y Rebeldía Popular.

Therefore, the people of El Salvador in Chicago, along with community and human rights organizations, demand:

• Cease the abuse of the judicial apparatus for persecution against the political opposition and left-wing social and environmental movements.
• The end of the “state of emergency” and the immediate release of all people detained without evidence.
• The immediate release of all political prisoners who have been unjustly detained under Bukele’s regime.

We join the struggle of the people of El Salvador in their effort to reclaim their country and the democracy for which generations of Salvadorans fought and sacrificed their lives.

En resistencia y solidaridad permanente

Jhonathan F. Gómez