UN HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER CONDEMNS MURDER OF GUATEMALAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER

13 June 2003




On 12 June, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan, currently performing the functions of High Commissioner for Human Rights, met in Geneva with Dr. Sergio Morales, the new Procurador de Derechos Humanos of Guatemala. Dr. Morales informed Mr. Ramcharan that, on the night of 11 June, Mr. José Israel López, who was representing the Procurador in Chimaltenango (60 kms west of the capital, Guatemala City), had been murdered.

Mr. Ramcharan expressed to Dr. Morales his grave concern over the killing and assured him of his full support in these difficult circumstances.

Mr. Ramcharan urged the Guatemalan authorities to undertake a full investigation and expressed his hope that the perpetrators be brought to justice.






* *** *