5/10/11

Por GHRC

Guatemalan Genocide General Arriving in Wasington, D.C. To Seek Support for His Presidential Campaign

JOIN OUR DEMONSTRATION AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO PROTEST HIS PRESENCE IN THE U.S.

Monday, May 15, 2011

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

2201 C. St., N.W., WASHINGTON D.C. (State Department)

General Otto Perez Molina is arriving soon in Washington D.C to seek support for his bid to the Presidency in the September elections in Guatemala. To our outrage, he has been granted a visa and will be welcomed in a number of government offices.

General Perez Molina was a commanding officer in the Ixil Triangle in 1982, when the Guatemalan army carried out- village by village- massacres in the region, often killing hundreds of men, women and children in a single afternoon. State forces committed acts of torture, mutiliations, forced disappearances and burning of entire villages as part of the "scorched earth" policy.

The U.N. sponsored Truth Commission held the army responsible for genocide against its Mayan citizenry. Perez Molina is also responsible for a number of crimes against humanity in other regions, including the long term torture and disappearance of indigenous resistance leader Efrain Bamaca Velasquez.

Under international law, all nations are obligated to indict or extradite such persons, not welcome and support their bid for yet more power. We demand the cancellation of his visa.

We must send a clear message to the State Department that we will not tolerate support for the authors of genocide and terror. Instead, we want them brought to justice.

NO SAFE HAVEN FOR WAR CRIMINALS

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR TORTURE

DIRECTIONS TO STATE DEPARTMENT: Go to the Foggy Bottom Metro station. There is only one exit, and you will come out facing 23rd street. Turn right and walk down 23rd past  H. St, Virgina Ave, E. St, D. St, and finally you will arrive at C street. The Department of State is directly to your left. We will be at the main entrance on C. St.

Join us this Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00pm to help make signs for Monday's demonstration! We will provide the materials and the pizza. 1525 Newton St. NW, Washington, DC.

For more information contact GHRC at ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org or call 202-529-6599.