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Join us on Saturday, October 19 for a Webinar to learn about the Ongoing Maya Ixil Case in Guatemala


CRLN Community,

Following the delegation to Guatemala in July, we held an in-person report-back event with participants to reflect on the experiences and insights gained. We are glad to continue this important conversation with an upcoming webinar that invites us all to learn more and listen to the survivors who continue to fight for justice as the trial continues today.

We sincerely thank you for your solidarity, your continued collaboration and dedication to the work in defense of Human Rights in Latin América and Guatemala.

We invite you to attend this informative webinar focused on the Maya Ixil Genocide Trial for the Lucas García period (1978-1982). This case, supported by survivors of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR), sheds light on the systematic violence inflicted upon the Maya Ixil population during Guatemala’s military dictatorship.

🗓 Date: Saturday, October 19

Time: 3 PM Guatemala / 4 PM Chicago

📍 REGISTER HERE

We are honored to feature José Silvio Tay Cusanero, legal advisor to the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR) —an association of survivors and family members who are working for justice and for the crimes commited duirng the war and genocides in Guatemala. He is also plaintiffs in the Ixil Genocide case against Benedicto Lucas García, and served as a witness in the first genocide case against Efraín Ríos Montt.

We will also hear from Evelyn Zepeda and Josue Sicán, community organizers and activists from Guatemala born in Chicago, who participated in the July human rights delegation. Additionally, Michelle Lian, a current accompanier with NISGUA in Guatemala will speak about their work in solidarity with the Maya Ixil communities. The event will be moderated by Jhonathan F. Gómez from CRLN. We are glad to collaborate on this event with NISGUA and Colectiva Ceiba.

This is a critical opportunity to learn about Guatemala’s ongoing fight for justice and historical memory, especially concerning the war crimes against Indigenous communities. The trial represents a significant step in addressing the atrocities that have shaped the country’s history.

About the Maya Ixil Genocide Case
The Maya Ixil genocide case during the Lucas García period focuses on the systematic violence perpetrated by Guatemala’s army under the regime of General Romeo Lucas García (1978-1982). Military forces targeted the Maya Ixil population through massacres, torture, sexual violence, forced displacement, and scorched earth tactics as part of a broader state campaign against Indigenous communities. This case seeks justice for these war crimes, internationally recognized as acts of genocide, and represents an important step in the efforts for justice and historical memory in Guatemala.

Delegation Context
The primary goal of our recent delegation was to provide in-person accompaniment to the Maya Ixil community, whose witnesses and survivors of genocide testified during the hearings of this historic trial. The trial, marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for justice and accountability. As International Human Rights Accompaniers, the delegation documented their experiences and engaged with human rights defenders, community leaders, and organizations throughout Guatemala.

Join us in this important dialogue as we work together for justice and memory.


Jhonathan F. Gómez

Jhonathan F. Gómez has blogged 240 posts