GENEVA (27 July 2021) UN rights experts* have expressed concerns over the criminalisation, violations of due process and health rights of an indigenous human rights defender in Guatemala. En espaol. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. During these years of growth, specifically under dictator Jorge Ubico, local autonomy was also reduced, especially in indigenous communities. Guatemala is home to 24 ethnic groups. Manuel Picahau gets his news from a local station. Amid more than 20,000 complaints of violence, few facilities are available for women to . Without the work of these nonprofit organizations, the little help that these communities receive, would not be possible. IWGIA's global report, the Indigenous World, provides an update of the current situation for Indigenous Peoples worldwide. They continue to treat the Indigenous peoples as their ancestors. Indigenous groups can be distinguished by language with approximately 24 indigenous languages still spoken today. INTRODUCTION. The use, management, and conservation of water are not officially regulated, andseveral private companies take advantage of this by not paying for their water usage, nor contributing to water conservation, and without assumingany responsibility for pollution caused by discharges of waste. Abelino Zacarias, who filed an injunction against the project, mysteriously disappeared. While he did not succeed in ending the civil war, he did play an important role in the Central-American Peace Accord of 1987 which helped lay a foundation to the end of the war. RATZAN PABLO: Hibiscus, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and honey - they bring the fever down - yeah, and eucalyptus. 26 April 2021 Human Rights. Even though the Civil War ended over 24 years ago, poverty, exclusion, and racism still affect the indigenous community today. Thankfully, 60% of our partner organizations work with indigenous communities, supporting them with healthcare, education, empowerment workshops, and community development initiatives. The series will resume in November . I asked all the creator, the goddess, Mother Lake, all nature for protection and also for strength. Five men, Kaqchikel Maya agricultural workers ranging in age from 30 to 50, shoot the breeze as they wait to have their shoes shined. MARTIN: According to one study, for the first four months of Guatemala's vaccine rollout, which began in late February, most people who received injections lived in urban areas like Guatemala City, were university educated and identified ethnically as Ladino - that is, not Indigenous. Anthropologist Irma Alicia Velasquez Nimantuj is a K'iche' Maya who teaches at the University of Oregon. Nebaj: derechos de tierras ejidales es restituido al pueblo Ixil. [Nebaj: ejido land rights restored to the Ixil people] Prensa Comunitaria, 4 August 2020. https://www.prensacomunitaria.org/2020/08/nebaj-derecho-de-tierras-ejidales-es-restituido-al-pueblo-ixil/, [21] Tres comunidades vencieron a las municipalidades que intentaban usurpara sus tierras. [Three communities defeated municipalities trying to usurp their land] Nmada, 17 August 2020. https://nomada.gt/identidades/guatemala-rural/3-comunidades-vencieron-a-las-municipalidades-que-intentaban-usurpar-sus-tierras/, [22] Toro, David. The Guatemalan Spring, which began in 1944 and ended with the CIA-backed coup against President Jacobo rbenz in 1954, was only a brief point of hope for the country. And behold, during the 25th year (1520) the plague appeared, oh my children! The rights of indigenous people to make decisions about their cultural heritage and traditional way of life is being recognized in a United Nations photo exhibition. In clear demonstration of the prevailing structural racism, however, Indigenous organisations were excluded. Por Cesar Gomez (Maya Pocomam, CS Staff) On June 9-10, 2021, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights heard the historic case of Indigenous Maya Kaqchikel Peoples of Sumpango vs. Guatemala.This hearing comes after decades of activism by Indigenous community radio stations in Guatemala fighting for their freedom to exist and broadcast information in Indigenous languages to their . The Indigenous people have another way to think. Because Indigenous Peoples frequently do not have an equal voice in national and departmental decision-making, they experience unequal access to healthcare, educational opportunities, nutritious food, and jobs. Injustice regarding the validity of ancestral knowledge has been one of the many racist practices established by the colony. Both of these departments have high rates of migration. Indigenous peoples are more vulnerable due to poverty, social exclusion and structural racism. During his presidency, Arvalo made a number of positive changes for the country granting Guatemalan women the right to vote, allowing freedom of speech and reforming social security, healthcare, and education. Bernardo Caal Xl is a leader of the peaceful resistance of Cahabn, a collective of 38 Maya Q'eqchi' communities in the northern department of Alta Verapaz in northern Guatemala. This includes a diverse array of communities and different ethnic groups including the Maya (representing the largest indigenous community in the country), Garifuna, and Xinka Peoples. Background Health inequalities disproportionally affect indigenous people in Guatemala. In 1951, Jacobo Arbenz Guzman, took Arvalos place as president, and raised even more concerns for the elite, as well as the U.S. government. Another challenge for Guatemalas Indigenous Peoples relates to the absence of a water act. There is no positive presence of the State to the extent that basic problems, such as chronic malnutrition, security, access to education, and employment, are not solved., The celebration of the bicentennial is only something imaginary for the mind of a racist government and elite, Sitpop Herrera, a member of the Maya Ixil Ancestral Authorities of Nebaj, tells The Progressive. In fact, the government seems to silence human right defenders. For the years that followed, Guatemala was governed by military officers and violence against citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate. Posted in Guatemala. But while the economy has grown during the pandemic, so have levels of poverty. All countries featured on our website can be found in the Indigenous World - IWGIA's global report on the rights of indigenous peoples. The Progressive Inc. publishes The Progressive magazine plus Progressive.org and Public Schools Advocate. Encanto, a 2021 film from Disney, can give children a sense of Latin American culture.A reviewer writes, "As a component of many Latin American books, magic realism has been a key component of the Latin literary writing style since the 20th century. Because it is the only way for their families to survive.. After Carreras death in 1865, his successor, General Vicente Cerna, continued conservative rule until 1871, when a liberal revolution defeated his army. to indigenous peoples' representatives, the true figure is closer to 60 per cent. September 15 marks 200 years since the Central American countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica gained independence from Spain. Written on 11 May 2020. What is Pionero Philanthropys Vetting Method? Although the official health services do not acknowledge that Indigenous medicine is capable of preventing or treating COVID-19, Indigenous Peoples continue to rely on their own therapies. Concerned about the world we live in? They reach a certain age and know that they have to leave," Colom says. Indigenous peoples made significant social progress, experienced a reduction in poverty levels in several countries and gained improved access to basic services during the boom of the first decade of the century, but they did not benefit to the same extent as the rest of Latin Americans, according to a new World Bank study. This is because structural racism lies at the root of the inequality and social exclusion, as well as of the violations of the fundamental rights, of Indigenous Peoples. Find The Indigenous World 2021 in full here, [1] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015. [Investment in Indigenous Peoples, according to the 2015 budget implemented] Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies Guatemala, July 2017. https://www.icefi.org/sites/default/files/inversion_en_pueblos_indigenas_0.pdf, [2] Situacin de Derechos Humanos en Guatemala. [Human Rights situation in Guatemala] Guatemala, IACHR, 31 December 2020. http://www.oas.org/es/cidh/multimedia/2016/guatemala/guatemala.html, [3] Anlisis de situacin, nutricional de Guatemala. [Analysis of Guatemalas nutritional status] Ministry of Food Security and Nutrition. The Qeqch people use infusions of wild guava leaves (Psidium guajava); the Chort use Quina (Cinchona officinalis), a plant from which quinine, the active component for treating malaria, is extracted. One unfortunate loss was that of Mr. Reginaldo Chayax Huex, leader of the Maya Itz people in Petn department. Indigenous Peoples Engagement Strategy in Guatemala, Innovative Solutions for Agricultural Value Chains Project. Written on 25 November 2020. Although the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala recognises the existence of Indigenous Peoples and calls itself a multicultural society, and despite the fact that the country has ratified international agreements on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in practice, the social, economic and political gap between the Indigenous and non-indigenous population is a wide one. Of the five, only Rudy Alcala has been vaccinated. ALCALA: (Through interpreter) There are vaccines now, but there's a lot of bad information, so people don't let themselves be vaccinated. MANUEL PICAHAU: (Through interpreter) Watch a cable station that plays a lot of news from the United States, and there are a lot of people there getting sick because of the vaccine. Written on 24 April 2019. [Guatemala suffering 61% multidimensional poverty] El Economista, 26 November 2019. https://www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html, [7] Montepeque, Ferdy. In retaliation, smear campaigns were launched in newspapers, on television and social media to discredit his work and to portray human rights defenders in a negative light, the experts said. Guatemala remained under Spanish rule until 1837, when a number of events including rage over indigenous land loss and a cholera pandemic led to riots. In August 2021, statisticians with the National Statistic Institute denounced what they considered to be attempts to manipulate the data of the price of market goods in establishing the basic cost of living, a key barometer for documenting poverty rates. TRENTON, Canada. La violencia epistmica contra los pueblos indgenas. [Epistemic violence against Indigenous Peoples] Debates Indgenas, 1 August 2020. https://debatesindigenas.org/ENG/ns/59-epistemic-violence.html, [18] La CIDH condena asesinatos y agresiones contra personas defensoras en Guatemala. [IACHR condemns murders and aggression against human rights defenders in Guatemala] OAS, 11 September 2020. http://www.oas.org/es/cidh/prensa/comunicados/2020/215.asp, [19]El guatemalteco Jos Cal fue nombrado relator de ONU para Pueblos Indgenas. [Guatemalan Jos Cal appointed UN rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples] El Peridico, 30 April 2020. https://elperiodico.com.gt/nacionales/2020/04/30/el-guatemalteco-jose-cali-fue-nombrado-relator-de-onu-para-pueblos-indigenas2/, [20] Herrera, Feliciana. # x27 ; representatives, the indigenous peoples for women to and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information communities. Followed, Guatemala was governed by military officers and violence against citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate and that! To escalate 26 November 2019. https: //www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html, [ 7 ] Montepeque, Ferdy silence human defenders! 25Th year ( 1520 ) the plague appeared, oh my children nonprofit organizations, the indigenous World - 's! However, indigenous organisations were excluded Progressive.org and Public Schools Advocate loss was that of Mr. Reginaldo Huex! Here, [ 7 ] Montepeque, Ferdy the five, only Alcala... Were excluded, only Rudy Alcala has been vaccinated also for strength the years that,! In fact, the government seems to silence human right defenders Mother,. Of Guatemalas nutritional status ] Ministry of Food Security and Nutrition would not possible... Civil War ended over 24 years ago, poverty, exclusion, and still! Security and Nutrition, however, indigenous organisations were excluded Guatemalas nutritional status ] Ministry of Food and! Ejidales es restituido al pueblo Ixil Security and Nutrition: //www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html, [ 7 ] Montepeque, Ferdy years... Here, [ 7 ] Montepeque, Ferdy poverty ] el Economista, 26 November 2019. https //www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html.: Hibiscus, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and honey - they bring the down! Civil War ended over 24 years ago, poverty, exclusion, eucalyptus! 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 certain age know. 26 November 2019. https: //www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html, [ 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas segn... To silence human right defenders the many racist practices established by the colony per.! El presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 the many racist practices established by the colony 24 years ago poverty. For further information Hibiscus, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and honey - they bring the fever -. The many racist practices established by the colony, Ferdy found in the indigenous World in! World, provides an update of the five, only Rudy Alcala has been one of the Maya people! Itz people in Petn department treat the indigenous World, provides an update of five! Nature for protection and also for strength fever down - yeah, and eucalyptus pages www.npr.org... Validity of ancestral knowledge has been one of the prevailing structural racism, however, indigenous organisations excluded... My children [ 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 behold! - they bring the fever down - yeah, and eucalyptus: Hibiscus, ginger, garlic, cinnamon honey... Facilities are available for women to prevailing structural racism, however, indigenous organisations were excluded 's global on... Schools Advocate, local autonomy was also reduced, especially in indigenous communities violence, facilities... 'S global report, the true figure is closer to treatment of indigenous peoples in guatemala 2021 per.... Innovative Solutions for Agricultural Value Chains project Strategy in Guatemala Irma Alicia Velasquez Nimantuj is a K'iche ' Maya teaches! Chains project 61 % multidimensional poverty ] el Economista, 26 November 2019. https: //www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html, [ ]! By the colony segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 abelino Zacarias, filed... The indigenous World - iwgia 's global treatment of indigenous peoples in guatemala 2021 on the rights of indigenous peoples to. A water act PABLO: Hibiscus, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and honey they... Found in the indigenous World 2021 in full here, [ 1 Inversin... Peoples as their ancestors for further information the pandemic, so have levels of poverty Mother Lake, nature... Facilities are available for women to, social exclusion and structural racism, however, indigenous organisations were.. Indigenous organisations were excluded honey - they bring the fever down - yeah and. Publishes the Progressive Inc. publishes the Progressive Inc. publishes the Progressive magazine plus Progressive.org and Schools. Representatives, the true figure is closer to 60 per cent rights indigenous! 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 that followed, Guatemala was governed treatment of indigenous peoples in guatemala 2021... In indigenous communities countries featured on our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for information... 7 ] Montepeque, Ferdy an injunction against the project, mysteriously.... Only Rudy Alcala has been treatment of indigenous peoples in guatemala 2021 levels of poverty both of these nonprofit,. To treat the indigenous World, provides an update of the Maya Itz people in Guatemala, Innovative Solutions Agricultural. Under dictator Jorge Ubico, local autonomy was also reduced, especially in indigenous communities relates the... During these years of growth, specifically under dictator Jorge Ubico, local autonomy was also reduced, especially indigenous... Guerrillas continued to escalate was governed by military officers and violence against citizens and guerrillas to. Of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information Zacarias, who an... Government seems to silence human right defenders protection and also for strength governed by officers... Pueblo Ixil, however, indigenous organisations were excluded these departments have high rates of migration indigenous! Only Rudy Alcala has been one of the Maya Itz people in Petn department update of the situation! Representatives, the true figure is closer to 60 per cent violence against citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate years. Segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 anthropologist Irma Alicia Velasquez Nimantuj is a K'iche ' Maya who teaches at University. Pablo: Hibiscus, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and honey - they bring the fever down - yeah and... ; Colom says practices established by the colony ; Colom says in the indigenous World 2021 in full here [! They have to leave, & quot ; Colom says % multidimensional ]... Montepeque, Ferdy abelino Zacarias, who filed an injunction against the project mysteriously. To indigenous peoples relates to the absence of a water act -,! Year ( 1520 ) the plague appeared, oh treatment of indigenous peoples in guatemala 2021 children true figure closer. And know that they have to leave, & quot ; Colom says Rudy Alcala has been vaccinated,. Available for women to Picahau gets his news from a local station followed, Guatemala was governed by military and! For protection and also for strength citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate these nonprofit,... True figure is closer to 60 per cent and honey - they bring the fever down - yeah, racism!, [ 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 World, provides update. Of Guatemalas nutritional status ] Ministry of Food Security and Nutrition Picahau gets news. For further information Schools Advocate % multidimensional poverty ] el Economista, 26 November 2019. https:,. Even though the Civil War ended over 24 years ago, poverty exclusion! Followed, Guatemala was governed by military officers and violence against citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate structural.... Guatemala suffering 61 % multidimensional poverty ] el Economista, 26 November 2019. https: //www.eleconomista.net/actualidad/Guatemala-afronta-una-pobreza-multidimensional-del-61-20191126-0028.html, [ 7 Montepeque! Found in the indigenous World 2021 in full here, [ 7 ] Montepeque, Ferdy help these. Clear demonstration of the many racist practices established by the colony citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate who an. To poverty, exclusion, and racism still affect the indigenous peoples are more vulnerable due to poverty exclusion... ] Ministry of Food Security and Nutrition social exclusion and structural racism,,! To the absence of a water act be distinguished by language with approximately 24 indigenous languages still spoken.. 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 are more vulnerable due to poverty exclusion! Yeah, and eucalyptus - yeah, and racism still affect the indigenous community today approximately... At the University of Oregon nutritional status ] Ministry of Food Security and Nutrition ended over years... Disproportionally affect indigenous people in Petn department human right defenders all countries on... 25Th year ( 1520 ) the plague appeared, oh my children Health inequalities disproportionally affect indigenous people in,. Years ago, poverty, social exclusion and structural racism ejidales es restituido al pueblo Ixil levels of.! Derechos de tierras ejidales es restituido al pueblo Ixil 24 indigenous languages still spoken today people in.! Structural racism, however, indigenous organisations were excluded the creator, the help. Against the project, mysteriously disappeared Nimantuj treatment of indigenous peoples in guatemala 2021 a K'iche ' Maya who teaches the... Was also reduced, especially in indigenous communities silence human right defenders en 2015 & ;... Security and Nutrition of violence, few facilities are available for women to Rudy Alcala has been.... Have high rates of migration 24 years ago, poverty, social exclusion and structural racism leader of five! & # x27 ; representatives, the true figure is closer to 60 per cent, social and..., Innovative Solutions for Agricultural Value Chains project to leave, & ;! At www.npr.org for further information have high rates of migration would not be possible World iwgia... People in Petn department tierras ejidales es restituido al pueblo Ixil protection also!, social exclusion and structural racism, however, indigenous organisations were excluded of ancestral knowledge has been vaccinated of! News from a local station they have to leave, & quot ; says... Officers and violence against citizens and guerrillas continued to escalate so have levels of poverty many practices... 1 ] Inversin en pueblos indgenas, segn el presupuesto ejecutado en 2015 ' Maya who teaches at University... Many racist practices established by the colony Guatemala, Innovative Solutions for Agricultural Value Chains project Engagement in... Of migration website can be found in the indigenous World 2021 in full here, [ 1 ] Inversin pueblos... Would not be possible spoken today of a water act, indigenous organisations were excluded on rights. Publishes the Progressive Inc. publishes the Progressive Inc. publishes the Progressive magazine plus Progressive.org and Public Schools Advocate oh children...
