CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

Press Release

Guatemala’s Appointment

to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Defensoría Maya, an organization that arduously works to eradicate Racism and Discrimination against the Mayan people and against all Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala, expresses our congratulations over the designation of our Maya Kaqchikel brother, Francisco Calí Tzay, as Guatemala’s representative to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This election has taken place within the framework of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to which Guatemala is a party, and the term of office is 4 years as of January 19, 2004.

This recognition of Guatemala by the United Nations and the world is a major step forward, given that an indigenous person has been included in this Committee for the first time ever. It also gives significant support to the struggle of thousands of Mayan and indigenous organizations and individuals who work on a daily basis to eradicate the structural evil of racism and discrimination.

Francisco Cali Tzay is a member of the Presidential Commission against Racism and Discrimination against the Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala, created in the year 2002. That commission is currently being sidelined and marginalized. Yet now, the commission has received global recognition through Mr. Cali Tzay’s designation as Guatemala’s representative. This poses a challenge for the new administration of President Berger, compelling his government not only to continue, but to expand the mechanisms that will ensure total respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala. In this sense, it is fitting to note at this time that the makeup of the cabinet inaugurated this past January 14 is one that excludes, discriminates against, and is imposes its will upon the Mayan people. Nonetheless, this can be rectified; it is possible to start developing new public policies of State. For that to take place, it is urgent that the Mayan people and the yet sidelined Presidential Commission against Racism and Discrimination be given their rightful place.

Defensoría Maya reaffirms our commitment to work propositively with the new administration on public policies related to the rights of Indigenous Peoples. We hope that the new government will not disparage our efforts.

Guatemala City, January 16, 2004