Guatemala Human Rights Commission

The Guatemala Human Rights Commission is asking for signatures on two petition.  In the first petition, they are collecting signatures to pressure the Guatemalan government to better protect labor leaders.

Guatemalan unionist Mateo Lopez was recently attacked as a result of his work against corruption in the health sector.  Although he survived the attack, he and his family remain in grave danger. Take action now to support Lopez and his family, and urge an immediate investigation.

In the second petition, the GHCR is asking for support of community radio.

Despite promises made in the Guatemalan Constitution and the Peace Accords, the telecommunications law does not allow licenses for nonprofit community radio. Only mainstream commercial radio and government-run radio are allowed. The country's 205 community radio stations, which broadcast locally in Spanish and Mayan languages, provide a crucial venue for educational programs, local and national news, preventative health care, and emergency relief. GHRC, with Cultural Survival, supports the legalization status for the community radio stations that are so important to indigenous communities.

Visit the GHCR and Cultural Survival for more information.