This article was written by the Peace Brigades International- Canada Project

On November 15, PBI-Guatemala posted:

“#PBI accompanies the members of the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu [CCR] to the book signing but the book has not yet arrived and it is the second time it hasn’t been. It represents a waste of time and money for criminalized people.”

The criminalized defenders must sign a registry every 30 days.

In September, PBI-Guatemala explained:

“We accompanied Anabella España Reyes, Abelino Salvador Mejía, Flavio Vicente and Virgilio García Carrillo, criminalized human rights defenders from the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu (CCR) to the final hearing of the preparatory phase of their trial on 21 September. The Public Prosecutor’s Office presented charges against the four defenders during the hearing, for the alleged crimes of threats, coercion and illegal detention. Following the intervention of the defense, the judge ordered the dismissal of the cases related to the crimes of threats and coercion. However, the judge ordered the human rights defenders to stand trial for the alleged offence of illegal detention. In addition, he reactivated the alternative measures, of article 264 CPP [Criminal Procedure Code], which include: house arrest, prohibition to leave the territory and signing a register every 30 days. This criminalization process began in December 2018, which means that it will soon be four years old.”

And back on March 14, PBI-Guatemala also posted: “PBI accompanies members of the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu to sign the book in the MP [Public Ministry]. The hearing scheduled for today was suspended.”

PBI-Guatemala has accompanied the CCR since April 2020.