September 22, 2004
By Trinidad Vasquez

GUATEMALA - The murders of close to 400 women in Guatemala so far this year led Inter-American Human Rights Commission Rapporteur (IAHRC) Susana Villaran to demand that the government decisively investigate these atrocious crimes.

Villaran, during a three-day visit to the country met with authorities from the executive and legislative branch, as well as with religious leaders and members of non government organizations who form part of a Broad Front to Struggle for Non Violence against Women.

At its most recent meeting on September 20 the Evangelical Conference of Guatemala Churches (CIEDEG) also expressed concern about violence against women. The Central American Evangelical Center of Pastoral Studies (CEDEPCA) also voiced concern.

Villaran, former Minister of Women in Peru, after hearing the dramatic testimony of violence in the country called on authorities to step up investigations and to apply criminal code reforms.

At the end of a meeting with legislators, Villaran said that they had informed her that the Human Rights and Government commissions had begun an investigation of the nearly 400 murders of women this year.

If this trend continues, some 700 women could be murdered by the end of the year, a figure that is of deep concern for Church leadership, said Elizabeth Carrera de Paz, CEDEPCA coordinator. President Oscar Berger always responds "we have reports, they are going to be verified, but it goes no further," said Carrera.

She added that the Non Violence against Women's Network receives support from the Government's Women's Secretariat, from Churches and diverse social organizations, youth groups, unions and the Network of Women Journalists, because they are among the most affected by crime. The Network of Women Journalists has marched through the streets of Guatemala with signs that said "No More Murders of Women."

A history professor commented that organized crime could be behind the murders in order to detract attention from the political struggle and the battle against corruption that is increasing national poverty on a daily basis. These crimes are shocking as the victims are raped and even decapitated while others receive a mercy shot. We must remember that there are thousands of former soldiers in this country, said the historian, whose last name is Guerra.

According to Guerra, an effort has been made to create an ecumenical space, with Catholic and Evangelical representatives, in order to unite efforts against these murders.

During the seminar The Right to Communication: a human right, promoted by the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) in this capital September 16-18. Ileana Alamilla, from the Center of Informative Reports on Guatemala, said that the major media do not cover activities of the Women's Network Against Violence. For example, a recent meeting in which more than 1,000 women analyzed violence and asked the government to investigate and bring the guilty to justice received no coverage.

Carmen Tzamol, of the Catholic Esclavas del Sagrado Corazon order, said during the seminar that Guatemala women suffer the consequences of structural and even military, machista violence. The order, which orients and trains young women regarding family violence, supports the Network's initiatives, said Tzamol.

ALC News Service