Protest regarding murder of Guatemalan trade unionist

H.E. Mr Acisclo Valladares Molina
Embassy of Guatemala
13 Fawcett Street
London
SW10 9HN Dear Ambassador

Assassination of Union leader Fredy Geovani Lopez Caal

On behalf the TUC, British workers and the 6.2 million members in our affiliated unions I write to deplore the killing of another trade unionist in Guatemala.

Mr Lopez Caal, disputes secretary of the hospital workers union Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de Salud de Guatemala del Hospital Nacional de Melchor de Mencos Peten, was shot by unknown assailants as he left a farewell party for a doctor at his hospital on 27 September.

His murder follows closely on attacks against and killings of many other trade unionists in your country. Guatemala tragically now carries the title of the second most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist.

These murders form the most blatant aspect of a far wider policy which seems designed to destroy any form of independent trade union organisation and meaningful social dialogue in Guatemala. As the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Sharan Burrow, has noted in a letter to your president 'it is vital that the authorities commit fully to respecting the core ILO Conventions ratified by Guatemala, so that trade unionists can freely exercise their trade union activities without risking their lives.'

I would again take this opportunity to refer you to the ITUC report detailing the escalation of attacks between 2005 and 2010 which can be found at http://www.ituc-csi.org/guatemala-el-costo-de-la-libertad,5011.html?lang=fr.

I would also remind you that we have yet to receive any response to our communications on this subject. I reiterate our request to meet with you to discuss our concerns and in this regard my office will again be contacting the relevant officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to see if a meeting can be facilitated.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber

General Secretary