End the violence against trade unions in Guatemala!
April 2010

Guatemala is the second most dangerous country in which to be a trade union member.

In early 2010, three trade unionists were killed. Then, in March, two leaders of the Indigenous Peoples and Rural Workers’ Trade Union Movement of Guatemala (MSICG) were assassinated.  One of them, Luis Felipe Cho was found dead on 6th March, showing signs of brutal torture.  Samuel Ramírez Paredes, General Secretary of the Panchoy district banana workers’ union (SITRABI) was assassinated while members of the MSICG were holding meetings with the United States government in order to lodge complaints against the State of Guatemala for serious violations of labour and trade union rights in the country’s banana sector.  For more information, see the ITUC website.

The climate of violence and fear in which Guatemalan trade unions are forced to operate directly contravenes ILO Conventions and the UN Declaration of Human Rights.  In addition, it undermines the capacity of trade unions to defend member’s rights and contribute to efforts to reduce poverty.

Please respond to this urgent action request below by sending an email to the Guatemalan Ambassador in the UK.  We are urging him to press this issue with his government to ensure that trade union rights are respected and that these cases are dealt with rapidly.