Guatemalan Defender Threatened While Seeking Truth about "Disappeared"

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Guatemalan Defender Threatened While Seeking Truth about "Disappeared"

Sara Poroj, a founding member of Guatemalan human rights organization Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM), was threatened while seeking to exhume one of several mass graves located on a defunct military base at Playa Grande. On February 3, 2005, at 3 AM, an armed, unidentified man entered her hotel room and held a gun to her head, while others examined her work-related documents and stood watch outside her room.

During the 36-year civil war in Guatemala, hundreds of thousands of civilians - including Ms. Poroj's husband - were "disappeared" and are believed to be buried in mass graves like those at Playa Grande. Exhumation of mass graves enables investigators to identify people who disappeared without a trace and were killed in secret. Attacks continue against those who try to uncover the truth.

The day after the incident, Ms. Poroj and a colleague were followed by a car for several hours as they went about their business. When they returned to their hotel, armed men emerged from the car. The Presidential Human Rights Office (COPREDEH) did not respond to calls for help by GAM's director. Finally, members of nearby human rights groups arrived and managed to escort Ms. Poroj to safety. She has not returned to the region for fear of further intimidation or attacks.

Call upon the Guatemalan authorities to guarantee the safety of Sara Poroj and others working for justice and accountability in Guatemala.

Click Here to Take Action: http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/poroj/ii86xu64f7ttdxk

Click here for more information on Sara Poroj.