(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN registers its deep concern for the safety of Guatemalan historian Matilde Leoner González Izas following reports that she has received threats and is under surveillance. According to information received by PEN, on 2 October 2001, González Izas had her laptop computer stolen from her home. Neighbours stated that her house had […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN registers its deep concern for the safety of Guatemalan historian Matilde Leoner González Izas following reports that she has received threats and is under surveillance.
According to information received by PEN, on 2 October 2001, González Izas had her laptop computer stolen from her home. Neighbours stated that her house had been watched that same day by unidentified individuals in two cars. On both 7 and 8 October, the historian reported having been followed on leaving her house. On 9 October, her car was deliberately boxed in by a number of others. It was only when she happened to see an acquaintance on the street and invite him into her car that the other vehicles dispersed.
Following these incidents, González Izas went into hiding. However, even then she received disturbing phone calls in which the caller remained silent. She has also been called on her mobile phone by unidentified individuals who have threatened her.
González Izas works for the Asociacion para el Avance de las Ciencias Sociales (Association for the Advancement of Social Sciences, AVANCSO) through whom she has published work on the means by which the Guatemalan military have retained their hold on the town of San Bartolomé Jocotenango. She has also released findings that point to the involvement of the military in mob violence and lynchings in various parts of the country. The recently stolen laptop contained details of her current research. The historian also found herself the subject of threats in 1998 and 1999 as a result of similar work.
(Sources: Amnesty International, Network of Concerned Historians)
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling upon them to safeguard González Izas’s life, given the extremely serious nature of the intimidation
– urging them to carry out an exhaustive investigation into the threats and bring those responsible to justice
Appeals To
President:
S.E. Alfonso Portillo
Presidente de la República de Guatemala
Palacio Nacional, Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax : +502 221 4537 / 334 1615 / 230 1508 / 239 0090
E-mail: secgralp@infovia.com.gtInterior Affairs Minister:
Sr Byron Barrientos
Ministro de Gobernacion
Ministerio de Gobernacion
6a Avenida 4-64, Zona 4, Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax : + 502 362 0237/9Human Rights Ombudsman:
Lic. Julio Arango Escobar
Procurador para los Derechos Humanos
12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 238 1734 or 253 5712
E-mail: opdhg@guatenet.net.gtDefence Minister:
Gral. Eduardo Arevalo Lacs,
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Ministerio de Defensa,
Antigua Escuela Politécnica
Avenida Reforma 1-45, Zona 10, Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 360 9909Please send copies to the Guatemalan representative in your country and to:
Asociacion para el Avance de las Ciencias Sociales en Guatemala (AVANCSO)
6a Ave. 2-30, Zona 1, Guatemala, Guatemala
Fax: +502 232 5841Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
