October 28, 2021
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Angelica Choc and Lote 8 women speak out
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Communique: From Angelica Choc to Rights Action
El Estor, Izabal
October 27, 2021
Grahame Russell, Rights Action and friends,
Please note and share: Today (Oct.27), at 06:00am, a contingent of armed Guatemalan government security forces - including DIC, PNC, MP, Army, Army PM, FEP, Anti-Narcotics Division - entered the homes of Angelica Choc and her son, Professor Luis Adolfo Ich Choc, to carry out raids at the same time.
 
In front of Angelica’s house, Oct.27, 2021
Inside our houses, there were minors, and the pregnant wife of Professor Luis Ich. They entered when we were still sleeping. We were frightened. We had a nervous breakdown, when we received such a large number of armed security personnel. Without saying a word, they executed the search warrant, without justifying the reasons for the search.
It is unfortunate the Guatemalan government is repressing the population and criminalizing indigenous leaders who watch over the rights of the Maya Q'eqchi’ peoples. How outrageous, the actions of the government, defending Swiss/Russian interests, defending the mining company Solway Investment Group (Switzerland)/ and its CGN Pronico subsidiary. The company is still operating the 'Fenix' mine despite the fact that in 2019 the Constitutional Court issued an order to suspend mining operations.
 
After raid, at home, then at health clinic with a son
I, Angelica Choc, fear for the life of my family and the safety of my family. I hold the government of Guatemala and company Solway Investment Group / CGN PRONICO responsible for any risk or attempt against my life and my family.
NO more criminalization of human rights defenders and defenders of indigenous peoples. Enough repression.
Angelica Choc
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- Solway Investment Group: Baarerstrasse 8, 6300 Zug Switzerland, +41417400400, [email protected], [email protected], www.solwaygroup.com
- Embassy of Switzerland, Guatemala: +502 2367 5520, [email protected], [email protected]
- Embassy of Switzerland, Canada: +1 613 235 1837, [email protected]
- Embassy of Switzerland, US: +1 202 745 7900, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
- European Union Human Rights in Guatemala: [email protected]
More information
“In Guatemala, it is not possible to operate a large-scale mine (let alone just about any large-scale economic “development” project in the sectors of hydroelectric dams, garment sweatshops, for-export production of African palm, sugar cane, bananas, and more) without participating in and benefiting from human rights violations and repression, corruption, and impunity.”
Emergency Response Fund
Rights Action is sending emergency funds to people we have long worked with in the region, including German Chub, Angelica Choc and the Ich-Choc family, the Gremial de Pescadores y Campesinos; the Ancestral Council of Q’eqchi’ people. Funds are needed to:
- Help people flee El Estor, many by land into the mountains
- Replace iphones and communication devices
- Get funds to families whose bank accounts are frozen
- Provide food and shelter for people forced to leave El Estor
- Help mobilize human rights activists to try and reach El Estor to bear witness
- Prepare for legal defense costs related to abusive-trumped up criminal charges
Make checks payable to "Rights Action" and mail to:
- U.S.: Box 50887, Washington DC, 20091-0887
- Canada: (Box 552) 351 Queen St. E, Toronto ON, M5A-1T8
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