Association
On 24th May 2023, Global Witness raised concern over the situation faced by Guatemalan civil society organisations, including the organisation for the protection of human rights defenders - Unidad de Protección de Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos de Guatemala, whose director, Jorge Santos, is facing increasing attacks. Santos has been subjected to a defamation campaign, including the spread of false allegations to discredit the organisation.
On 26th May 2023, authorities detained Anti Corruption Prosecutor Stuardo Campo for alleged anomalies in three cases Campo has been involved in. Former human rights Ombudsman and Thelma Cabrera's mate for vice president, Jordán Rodas Andrade, is facing criminal proceedings. Both cases indicate an effort to criminalise public officials involved in the fight against corruption. In both cases, the authorities claim confidentiality and no details of the accusations have been made public and the hearings will be closed door.
On 29th May 2023, the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy joined the statements made by civil society and political parties about the pre-election environment in Guatemala. On 25th June 2023, presidential elections will take place and thus far, authorities have disqualified three candidates from participating. The most recent was businessman Carlos Pinera who was one of the most likely to make it to the second round and even win the elections. However, the Constitutional Court of Guatemala invalidated his candidacy for allegedly not complying with the legal requirements. Two other candidates, who the authorities have prevented from participating, are the son of former president Álvaro Arzú, Roberto Arzu García-Granados, and the indigenous Mayan leader Thelma Cabrera. This is the second time that the authorities have denied Cabrera's candidature, which could constitute institutional racism and discrimination.
🚨 URGENT APPEAL - #Guatemala:
— Front Line Defenders (@FrontLineHRD) May 23, 2023
Defamatory statements against human rights defender Jorge Santos and @UDEFEGUA
The Guatemalan authorities should protect HRDs and recognise their valuable work.https://t.co/tRfHev0zBq pic.twitter.com/mKN86IjG7m
Expression
On 3rd May 2023, the Guatemalan Association of Journalists reiterated to the international community and Guatemalan public that there is no democracy without journalism and freedom of expression. According to the Association, Guatemala faces a deteriorating environment for press freedom, including criminal prosecution against journalists and media, especially those reporting on abuse of power and corruption.
On 12th May 2023, the newspaper El Periódico announced it would cease activities as a result of the legal problems its founder and director José Rubén Zamora has faced. The authorities detained Zamora on 29th July 2022 and he has been charged with money laundering and blackmail. The newspaper reported that the authorities arrested four of its lawyers, and two remain in pretrial detention for alleged obstruction of justice. El Periódico asserts that the persecution is a result of its critical reporting on the current government.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressed concern over the trial and charges against Zamora.
Tras 26 años, @el_Periodico publicó su última edición en mayo. La Fiscalía de Guatemala pide 40 años de cárcel para su fundador, @ChepeZamora. En este episodio con @_elfaro_ hablamos del asedio que viven los medios en el país: https://t.co/56CDKQKYYb pic.twitter.com/4DJTV9sRdv
— El hilo (@elhilopodcast) June 4, 2023