Urgent Action - GUATEMALA

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The SITRABANSUR trade union was formed by banana workers in July 2007 in order to negotiate collective terms and conditions. They allege that the owners of the farm on which they work do not pay the minimum wage and do not pay social security and other contributions.

On 20 November 2007, all of the founding members of the union, including its leaders, and their families were dismissed from their jobs and evicted from their homes, apparently as a result of their trade union activities. Germn Aguilar Brego, Alberto Lpez Prez and Vctor Manuel Gmez allege that the previous day they had received a death threat from a member of management of the banana farm.

According to reports, on 2 March two armed men, with their faces covered by ski masks, lay in wait near the home of Miguel ngel Ramirez Enrquez, one of the founders of SITRABANSUR (Sindicato de Trabajadores Bananeros del Sur, Union of Banana Workers of the South). As Miguel Ramirez was returning home, he was shot at by the men. Miguel Ramirez died some two hours later in hospital. Initial reports indicate that his body had four bullet wounds and at least one knife wound.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Vctor Manuel Gmez Mendoza, Alberto Lpez Prez, Germn Aguilar Brego and other members of the Executive Committee of SITRABANSUR;
- urging the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to guarantee the safety of all SITRABANSUR leaders, in accordance with their own wishes;
- urging the authorities to immediately order a swift, impartial and full investigation into the death of Miguel ngel Ramirez Enrquez, and to bring those responsible to justice;
- calling for a swift, impartial and full investigation into reports of a break-in at the home of Alberto Lpez Prez, and the intimidation of other union members; and demanding that the authorities bring those responsible to justice;
- reminding the authorities that human rights defenders, including trade union leaders, have the right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Institutions to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

APPEALS TO:

Minister of the Interior
Sr. Carlos Vinicio Gmez Ruiz
Ministro de Gobernacin
6 Avenida 13-71, Zona 1,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: +502 2413 8658
Salutation: Dear Minister/Estimado Sr. Ministro

Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor''s Office
Lic. Juan Luis Florido
Fiscal General de la Repblica y Jefe del Ministerio Pblico
8 Avenida 10-67, Zona 1, Antiguo Edificio del Banco de los Trabajadores,
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: +502 2411 9124
+502 2411 9326
Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Estimado Sr. Fiscal General