Guatemala
27.01.03
Urgent Interventions
Guatemala: attempted killing of a worker by the owner of the El Arco Farm
Case GTM 270103. ESCR
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Concern
Attempted killing/ Right to Food/Labour Rights
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Guatemala.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Latino American Commission for the Rights and Freedoms of the Workers and Peoples (CLADEHLT), a member of the OMCT network, that the owner of the El Arco Farm attempted to kill one of his worker, wounding him in the head, in Guatemala.
According to the information received, on January 17th 2003, at around 6.00 pm, the owner of El Arco Farm, Jesus Salazar Pivaral (hereafter Mr. Enrique Salazar), fired 2 bullets at his 59 years old worker Marcos Alvarez Tzoc.
It is reported that Mr. Enrique Salazar shot two bullets at his worker Marcos Alvarez Tzoc after having discovered that he was selling bananas. Mr. Enrique Salazar reportedly started to insult and beat Marcos Alvarez Tzoc, took his gun and shot at him twice, hitting him in the head. It is reported that after having been held during approximately 7 hours in Mr. Enrique Salazar's office, Marcos Alvarez Tzoc was eventually transported to the National Hospital of Mazatenango.
Background Information
According to the information received, Marcos Alvarez Tzoc was selling bananas in order to get enough money to feed himself. It is reported that the majority of the workers employed by Mr. Enrique Salazar on El Arco Farm are suffering from hunger because they don't have enough resources to by food for themselves and their families.
Moreover, Mr. Enrique Salazar is reportedly constantly harassing and repressing his employees, he fails to pay them the minimum wages and to provide them with other benefits that they are entitled to receive by law, including holidays.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Guatemala urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Marcos Alvarez Tzoc, including access to adequate medical assistance;
ii. guarantee an immediate investigation into the circumstances of these events, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
iii. guarantee adequate reparation to Marcos Alvarez Tzoc;
iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms, including economic, social and cultural rights, throughout the country in accordance with international human rights standards.
Addresses
Lic. Alfonso Portillo, Presidente de la República - E-mail: mensajes@presidenteportillo.gob.gt
Dr. Sergio F. Morales Alvarado, Procurador de los Derechos Humanos – Fax: 502.238-1734. E-mail: opdhg@internet.net.gt
Lic. Alfonso Portillo, Presidente de la República - E-mail: mensajes@presidenteportillo.gob.gt
Dr. Sergio F. Morales Alvarado, Procurador de los Derechos Humanos – Fax: 502.238-1734. E-mail: opdhg@internet.net.gt
Lic. Carlos D. De León Argueta, Fiscal General y Jefe del Ministerio Público – Fax: 502.221-2718. E-mail: minpub@mp.lex.gob.gt
Lic. Víctor H. Godoy, Ministro de Trabajo – Fax: 230-1363. E-mail: ministro@mintrabajo.gob.gt
Lic. Luis A. Pañagua G., Director de la Policía Nacional Civil – Fax: 502.251-9382
Please also write to the embassies of Guatemala in your respective country.
Geneva, January 27, 2003
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Concern
Attempted killing/ Right to Food/Labour Rights
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Guatemala.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Latino American Commission for the Rights and Freedoms of the Workers and Peoples (CLADEHLT), a member of the OMCT network, that the owner of the El Arco Farm attempted to kill one of his worker, wounding him in the head, in Guatemala.
According to the information received, on January 17th 2003, at around 6.00 pm, the owner of El Arco Farm, Jesus Salazar Pivaral (hereafter Mr. Enrique Salazar), fired 2 bullets at his 59 years old worker Marcos Alvarez Tzoc.
It is reported that Mr. Enrique Salazar shot two bullets at his worker Marcos Alvarez Tzoc after having discovered that he was selling bananas. Mr. Enrique Salazar reportedly started to insult and beat Marcos Alvarez Tzoc, took his gun and shot at him twice, hitting him in the head. It is reported that after having been held during approximately 7 hours in Mr. Enrique Salazar's office, Marcos Alvarez Tzoc was eventually transported to the National Hospital of Mazatenango.
Background Information
According to the information received, Marcos Alvarez Tzoc was selling bananas in order to get enough money to feed himself. It is reported that the majority of the workers employed by Mr. Enrique Salazar on El Arco Farm are suffering from hunger because they don't have enough resources to by food for themselves and their families.
Moreover, Mr. Enrique Salazar is reportedly constantly harassing and repressing his employees, he fails to pay them the minimum wages and to provide them with other benefits that they are entitled to receive by law, including holidays.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Guatemala urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Marcos Alvarez Tzoc, including access to adequate medical assistance;
ii. guarantee an immediate investigation into the circumstances of these events, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
iii. guarantee adequate reparation to Marcos Alvarez Tzoc;
iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms, including economic, social and cultural rights, throughout the country in accordance with international human rights standards.
Addresses
Lic. Alfonso Portillo, Presidente de la República - E-mail: mensajes@presidenteportillo.gob.gt
Dr. Sergio F. Morales Alvarado, Procurador de los Derechos Humanos – Fax: 502.238-1734. E-mail: opdhg@internet.net.gt
Lic. Alfonso Portillo, Presidente de la República - E-mail: mensajes@presidenteportillo.gob.gt
Dr. Sergio F. Morales Alvarado, Procurador de los Derechos Humanos – Fax: 502.238-1734. E-mail: opdhg@internet.net.gt
Lic. Carlos D. De León Argueta, Fiscal General y Jefe del Ministerio Público – Fax: 502.221-2718. E-mail: minpub@mp.lex.gob.gt
Lic. Víctor H. Godoy, Ministro de Trabajo – Fax: 230-1363. E-mail: ministro@mintrabajo.gob.gt
Lic. Luis A. Pañagua G., Director de la Policía Nacional Civil – Fax: 502.251-9382
Please also write to the embassies of Guatemala in your respective country.
Geneva, January 27, 2003
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.