January 23, 2005

GUATEMALA:   Conditional release for Carlos Chen of the "Coordinator of Communities Affected by the Chixoy Dam".

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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 .