“In light of these grave fundamental rights violations, the Government of Guatemala must order the competent authorities to conduct an exhaustive investigation into Industria Chiquibul, S.A.’s role in this unlawful eviction attempt and the PNC’s failure to protect the community, holding those found responsible to account” maintains Lara Domínguez. “The Government must also stop any further evictions of indigenous peoples from taking place during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

On 13 April 2020, private security forces suspected of working for Industria Chiquibul, S.A., an agribusiness engaged in the harvesting and extraction of palm oil, attempted to evict 200 indigenous peasant families from their homes in Tierra Blanca, municipality of Sayaxché in the Department of Petén. Men, women, children and the elderly were among the victims of this violent and unlawful eviction attempt.

At 7:30 in the morning, 45 members of a private security commando descended on the community without notice or a judicial order authorising the eviction. They fired shots in an effort to intimidate members of the community and eject them from their homes. Although on this occasion the community managed to defend itself and ward off the private security forces, Izáis Tiul Pop, a 30-year-old community member was gravely injured during the course of the failed eviction attempt.

Eight National Civil Policemen (Policía Nacional Civil (PNC)) witnessed what transpired and did nothing to stop it. They had entered the Tierra Blanca settlement to ensure residents were complying with the COVID-19 public health measures imposed by the Government of Guatemala.

http://www.hlrn.org/news.php?title=Guatemala:-Evicting-Maya-Q%E2%80%99eqchi%60-amid-COVID-19&id=p3FnbA==#.X3Zrsll7nOQ

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