On June 1, PBI-Guatemala posted: “Today, PBI accompanied the lawyers of the Human Rights Law Firm (BDH) to the first-ever hearing of 11 people accused of enforced disappearances, torture and murder in the #DiarioMilitar [Military Journal] case. The BDH represents relatives of the people mentioned in the document.”

Ruda explains: “The Diario Militar keeps a record of the names, photographs, addresses, and addresses of men and women who have been arrested, detained, disappeared, and murdered. The list includes students, university professors, trade unionists, and members of social organizations that the Army identified as allies of the guerrillas.”

Telesur reports: “Eleven ex-military and police officers are accused of crimes against humanity for serious human rights violations in the 1980s. The hearing against 11 Guatemalan soldiers, accused of crimes against humanity in the ‘Diario Militar’ case, began this Tuesday [June 1] in the Mayor Riesgo B court, after they were captured last week.”

The 11 retired soldiers and police offers are on trial “for their alleged participation in kidnapping, forced disappearance, extrajudicial execution and other crimes against at least 183 people considered political opponents between 1983 and 1985.”

The eleven include retired General Marco Antonio Gonzalez Taracena, former members of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the former commander of the military zone of the department (province) of Chimaltenango, and the former head of the Special Operations Brigade of the National Police, They are accused of crimes against humanity, murder, attempted murder and enforced disappearance.

Telesur adds: “Relatives of victims of the case in Guatemala have asked the international community for support in their demand for justice and clarification of the facts.”

Their statement says: “Be attentive to what is happening in our country since we are on the verge of returning openly to the years of the 1980s. Clarifying the facts and condemning those responsible will allow us to achieve the justice yearned for decades and will bring the State of Guatemala closer to taking that step towards the advancement and guarantee of human rights and, above all, non-repetition.”

PBI-Guatemala began to accompany BDH lawyer Édgar Pérez Archila in August 2010 due to several security incidents he had faced in relation to the high-profile judicial processes he was working on. At the end of 2013, PBI-Guatemala extended the accompaniment to the other lawyers of the BDH who work in high-profile trials to fight against impunity and in defending criminalized human rights defenders.

Ruda reports 27 of those who disappeared and executed were women. It published this photograph and a list of their names here.

Please, consider donating to PBI-USA. You can make a safe donation here.

Make a Difference, help protect human rights defenders!

Support our 40th Year Anniversary Campaign by making a donation

2021 is Peace Brigades International's 40th Year Anniversary! 

Whether human rights defenders fight for social equality, justice, or environmental and indigenous rights, we must protect their vision of the future. For 40 years, PBI has provided protection so defenders can continue their work. With your support, we can ensure that PBI-USA can continue to make space for peace.

Together, we will provide life-saving support to more threatened defenders in urgent need of protection.

Please consider donating to our campaign.