Guatemala: Death threats to Union Workers

Case GTM 170498

The International Secretariat of the OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Guatemala.

Brief description of the situation

The CLADEHLT, Latin American Commission for the Rights and Liberties
of Workers and Peoples, a member of the OMCT network, has expressed
its grave concern for the life and safety of the members of the
Guazacapan Municipality Workers'  Union (SINTRAMGUASR).

According to information received, on April 6th, the workers and
especially the members of the Executive Committee and the Consultative
Committee of SINTRAMAGUAST received death threats from unidentified
persons.

These threats are believed to be the consequence of demands for the
respect of  the rights of municipal workers who have not received
their salaries since last February. In view of this situation the
SINTRAMGUAST  which is affiliated to the CGTG/-CLAT has asked, without
success, for negotiations with the Municipal Council.

While the workers and the  union have observed a pacific attitude in
conformity with the laws in force, the municipal authorities and
particularly the mayor have rejected any possibility of negotiation.
Faced with this situation the unionised workers  and more particularly
the leaders have been the targets of repeated insults.

Action requested

Please write to the Guatemalan authorities  urging them to:

i.	adopt appropriate measures in order to guarantee in all
circumstances the life and physical as well as psychological integrity
and freedom of the leaders and other members of SINTRAMGUASR,

ii.	carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the death
threats made against the members of the above-mentioned organisation,
identify those responsible and bring them to trial imposing upon them
the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by the laws
in force;

iii.	adopt all necessary measures in order to ensure  respect for
fundamental rights including labour rights, in accordance with
national laws and international standards:

Addresses:

S.E. Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen, Presidente de la República de Guatemala,
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax : + 502 221 4537 E-mail :
alvaroarzu@guateconnect.com

Lic. Hector Pérez Aguilera, Fiscal General de la Nación - Jefe del
Ministerio Público, 18 Calle 10-36 Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala. Fax :
+ 502 331 7066

Guatemalan Embassy in your respective countries.

Geneva, April 17th 1998
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.