Rafael, who is raising international publicity, in conjunction with Trócaire, told the students of the history of the struggle by rural and indigenous community activists against illegal and unconstitutional mining operations in Guatemala. He set out in detail the campaign of intimidation launched against these peaceful protesters, even though the Supreme Court has already ruled the mining operations to be unconstitutional and absolved community activists of any crime.
Just before Rafael came to Ireland, a young colleague, 22-year-old Jeremy Abraham Barrios Lima employed by CALAS as assistant to its Director, was the victim of a cold-blooded assassination, on 12th November. He was guilty of no crime and his death signals a sinister turn in this dispute as the legal representatives of environmental activists are now also being singled out for intimidation, and worse.
After the meeting, the students stood in silence with Rafael in memory of Jeremy, and decided to write letters to the Guatemalan ambassador to Ireland, the Attorney General and the President of Guatemala in protest at the shooting of Jeremy. They strongly condemned the killing, called for an immediate inquiry into the circumstances of it, and called for guarantees of safety for human rights defenders carrying out their human rights work without fear of reprisals.
For more information, see https://guatemalasolidarity.org.uk/