Protest letter at murder of Guatemalan Trade Union Leader
H.E. Mr Edmundo Urrutia
Embassy of Guatemala
13 Fawcett Street
London
SW10 9HN
Dear Ambassador
Assassination of Union leader Evelinda Ramirez Reyes
On behalf the TUC, British workers and the 6.5 million members in our affiliated unions I write to deplore the killing of a fourth trade union leader in the space of three months in your country.
Ms Ramirez Reyes was a leader of the San Marcos branch of FRENA which is affiliated to the MSICG. Unknown assailants opened fire on a car carrying four leaders who were returning from a meeting with government officials where they had requested a restoration of constitutional guarantees and an end to abuses being carried out under the government declared 'State of Prevention.'
The International Trade Union Confederation has again written to President Colom highlighting that this series of assassinations is the result of the culture of impunity enjoyed by parallel powers operating to suppress the social and trade union movement in Guatemala.
I would also take this opportunity to note that we have yet to receive any response to letters of 21/11/09 and 10/12/09 highlighting the murders of three more union leaders; Victor Galvez, Miguel Chacaj Jax and Pedro Ramirez De La Cruz.
Officials from the TUC European Union and International Relations department would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or another embassy representative to discuss the situation in Guatemala and how the commitments made in 2007 by President Colom to tackle impunity and enforce the rule of law can be fulfilled.
Yours sincerely
BRENDAN BARBER
General Secretary
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