Human Rights Orgs. and Cases, 1974-2006

Scope and content:

Consists of clippings, reports, articles, press releases, newsletters, articles, journals, correspondence, memos, internal communications, planning and event files, statements, policy documents, case files, and other assorted materials on human rights violations and general reports by various local and international human rights organizations. Most case files document abuses by forces linked to the Guatemalan military, including the rural Patrullas de Autodefensa Civil (PAC); assassinations of clergy and political figures; massacres; forced disappearances and torture of prisoners; and the so-called "death squads." A considerably smaller number of human rights abuses by guerilla forces may also be found here.

Prominent human rights cases include the murder of Guatemalan anthropologist Myrna Mack Chang (in whose memory Fundacion Myrna Mack, a key partner organization of WOLA's was founded), the massacre at Xaman, the rape of torture of Sr. Dianna Ortiz, and the assassination of Bishop José Gerardi. However, there are files on other individuals including journalists, foreign citizens, and other clergy members; and locations throughout Guatemala, particularly in rural areas and in indigenous communities. Further human rights topics mentioned are labor issues, indigenous communities, refugees, UN & MINUGUA, delegations to Guatemala, US and international policy towards Guatemala, and aid and funding.

Human Rights organizations whose reports appear in this grouping, most based outside Guatemala, include Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International (AI), and the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission.

Because the resolutions to some of these cases became seminal components of the peace process, researchers are strongly encouraged to consult files in the Peace Process subseries for additional information.

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