Numerous indigenous and campesino communities, committed to defending the territory and natural assets, have denounced the intervention of private companies in various geographical areas through the imposition of extractive projects (mining, hydroelectric, petrol, monoculture, etc.). Many of these projects have begun without prior consultation or, in areas where consultations have taken place, are going ahead despite the lack of consent of the affected communities and indigenous peoples. Within the framework of the social and community resistance processes articulated in the country, many human rights violations have been denounced, as have attacks against those who defend them. The characteristics of the context reflect the need to maintain international attention on the situation of human rights in Guatemala and the people who defend them, with particular concern for the situation of social actors who defend land, territory and natural resources and who struggle for the collective rights of indigenous peoples.

This theme is the area of focus of the majority of accompanied organizations, groups and communities:

the Chinautla Multisector Urban Platform in the department of Guatemala,

the Cunén Community Council of Communities of Cunén in the department of El Quiché

the ‘New Day’ Ch'orti' Campesino Central Coordinator in the department of Chiquimula,

the Peaceful Resistance of Cahabón in the department of Guatemala,

the Peaceful Resistance La Laguna in the department of Guatemala,

the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya in the department of Guatemala,

the TZK'AT Network of Ancestral Healers of Community Feminism from Ixmulew who works in the whole country.

Cunén Communities’ Council

Location

Municipality of Cunén, Department of Quiché

Area of ​​work and rights defended

It is an organized process of defence of land and territory, natural resources and human rights.

English

Peaceful Resistance La Puya

Location

Municipalities of San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc, department of Guatemala.

Area of ​​work and rights defended

Peaceful resistance to express their disagreement with the planned mining project in their municipalities. La Puya claim their right to information and prior consultation. They defend their right to water and a healthy environment, and call for an independent environmental impact study.

English

K'iche Peoples Council CPK

Location

Department of Quiché.

Area of ​​work and rights defended

The K'iche Peoples Council focuses its work on the defence and promotion of the collective rights of indigenous peoples: the right to life, water, land and, in general, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights. Since mid-2016 a central concern of the CPK is the immoderate deforestation of ancient woodland.

English

Pages

Subscribe to Defence of Territory