January 23, 2005
GUATEMALA: Conditional release for Carlos Chen of the
"Coordinator of Communities Affected by the Chixoy Dam".
===
On January 20, Carlos Chen was detained in Salama, Baja Verapaz
on charges of:
1. Detención ilegal con agraventes específicos, amenazas y
coacciones frente a los dos operadores de la represa. Illegal
detention, with threats and coertion, of two Chixoy dam
oeprators.
2. Allanamiento contra el INDE. False entry into INDE offices.
3. Actividades contra los servicios públicos. Actions against
public services.
4. Actividades contra la seguridad interna de la nación.
Actions against the internal security of the nation.
Carlos Chen was given conditional release, though the charges
have NOT been dropped.
These are trumped up charges and the detention orders are still
pending against 7 other leaders who signed the agreement: Juan
de Dios García, Domingo Sic, Rafael Santiago Fernández, Félix
Alonso Raymundo, Antonio Vásquez Xitumul, Víctor Lem Colorado.
Acted upon or not, the charges are weakening the efforts of the
"Coordinator of Communities Affected by the Chixoy Dam" in their
just demands for reparations and compensation from the World
Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and Guatemala government.
NEEDED are human rights accompaniers in Guatemala and emergency
funds for the community-based, Indigenous organizations in the
area affected by the Chixoy dam. To contribute tax-deductible
funds, make check payable to "Rights Action" and mail to:
* United States: 1830 Connecticut Av, NW, Washington DC, 20009.
* Canada: 509 St. Clair Ave W, box73527, Toronto ON, M6C-1C0.
On-line donations: USA and Canada:
www.rightsaction.org .
Wire funds to Rights Action: contact
info@rightsaction.org
, 416-654-2074.
FOR BACKGROUND about the Chixoy Dam Reparations Campaign,
contact Grahame Russell, Rights Action, 416-654-2074,
info@rightsaction.org
.
