PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Guatemala: Human Rights (13 July 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on (a) attacks and threats against human rights defenders in Guatemala and (b) the implementation of protection measures requested by the Office of the UNHCR for members of the Nuevo Dia Ch'orti Indigenous Association in Guatemala.

Asked by:
Kerry McCarthy (Labour)

Officials at our Embassy in Guatemala City continue to speak regularly with non-governmental organisations and Human Rights Defenders to hear about the freedoms they promote and the challenges they face, including concerns about their safety and security. Embassy officials have also been in contact with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights about protection measures for members of the Nuevo Dia Ch’orti Indigenous Association. We are awaiting clarification about the implementation of these protection measures and will continue to monitor the case closely. Our officials in London recently met representatives of the Association and Peace Brigades International to learn firsthand about their work and the risks they face.

Answered by:
Lord Swire (Conservative)
16 July 2015