Guatemala drops charges against Indigenous leaders
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Amnesty International praised a Guatemalan court’s decision to end criminal proceedings against four Indigenous authorities following peaceful protests in October 2023.
Luis Pacheco, Héctor Chaclán, and Basilio Puac faced charges including unlawful association, terrorism, and obstruction of justice. Guatemalan authorities initially accused the men after they participated in a national strike. The charges stemmed from the Indigenous leaders’ involvement in demonstrations.
Amnesty International had previously documented how the Guatemalan government used criminalization as a tactic against those exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The organization views the court’s decision as a positive step toward protecting the rights of Indigenous communities in Guatemala, a Central American country. The legal case against the men drew criticism from human rights advocates. They argued the charges were politically motivated and intended to suppress dissent.
Amnesty International hopes this ruling sets a precedent for respecting the rights of Indigenous authorities and peaceful protesters in Guatemala.
