Solidarity with Guatemala

Dear Friends,

While the guns of war were officially silenced in 1996, the people of Guatemala are still confronted by social and political injustices on a daily basis. None of the people accused of committing crimes against humanity and genocide have been brought to justice. A new right wing government has not implemented even the basic guarantees of human life and dignity that were agreed to in the accords that ended the war. A recent report on social conditions by a coalition of United Nations organizations revealed that:

* Guatemala suffers from extreme income inequality — 56 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line, one in five in extreme poverty. Infant mortality is among the worst in the region (45 per 1,000 live births), maternal mortality is extremely high (153 per 100,000 births) and chronic malnutrition remains a serious problem (49 percent).

* 37.4 per cent of Guatemalans take home less than $2 a day and 15.9 per cent of the population earn less than $1 a day.

* 73 per cent of Guatemala's Mayan population are economically and socially excluded from economic opportunities.

* 1.5 of rich proprietors own 62.5 % of the Guatemalan cultivable land, and the remaining 94.1 % of proprietors own only 18.6% of it.

* 67 per cent of indigenous children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Organizations targeted included the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA), National Peasant and Indigenous Coordination (CONIC), The National Coordinating Body of Campesinos (CENOC) Confederation of Guatemalan Unions (CUSG), the Centre for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH), Foundation for the Communitarian Development (FUNDESCO), Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG), Union of Campesino Organizations of the Verapaces (UVOC), and others.

Other Guatemalans have fared worse. Garin Anabella Orellana Ramos, member of COCODES, Meregilda Suchite, worker of the Centre for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH), Antonio Ixbalan Cali and Maria Petzey Coo, members of CONIC were assassinated for their work as human rights defenders. During this year, Amnesty International was moved to issue various urgent actions for different cases in Guatemala. You can also read AI report "Guatemala Land of Injustice" at:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/guatemala/document.do?id=ENGAMR340032006

But there are people who are still trying to make a difference in the struggle for social and political justice in Guatemala. Based in Toronto, the Guatemala Community Network is a coalition of Guatemalans and Canadians, that have been working in solidarity with the people of Guatemala for 25 years. The Guatemala Community Network is a member of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation.

The GCN works by:

* Sponsoring informational events featuring Guatemalan and Canadian political and social activists.

* Distributing urgent actions throughout North America.

* During 2005 and 2006 we have organized a series of events which included a cross-Canada tour for Ruth del Valle, founding member of the Executive Committee of the National Movement for Human Rights in Guatemala, and the visit to Toronto of Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini, winner of the 2002 Letelier-Moffit human rights award for his courageous support of the poor, and a strong opponent of the US/Canadian gold mining in Guatemala.

* Raising money for community based development and emergency relief projects in Guatemala.

At this time of the year, we need your support in order to continue our crucial work. This year the GCN plans to expand its urgent action network, sponsor tours by leading Guatemala political and human rights leaders, and send a truck container to Guatemala loaded with carpentry and agricultural tools, as well with school and medical supplies.

If you can not make a financial donation at this time, consider: joining our urgent action network, volunteering with our organization, donating supplies, attending our Solidarity Breakfast on June 4, 2006, or participating in our annual “Bowl-A-Thon for Central America” next September 16, 2006. All the work is done by volunteers and 100% of the donations go directly to Guatemala.


YES! I want to support the struggle for peace and justice in Guatemala by supporting the Guatemala Community Network.

I will donate the following: ___$10___ $25 or $___ 50 or $___100 or $____ other.


Please send your cheque payable to the Guatemala Community Network to:

973 "A" Eglinton Avenue West # 1
Toronto, ON. M6C 2C4

At this time we regret that we cannot issue a tax receipt.
________________________________________________________

I am interested in:

- receiving advance notice of events
- joining the urgent action network
- participating at the fundraising events.
- volunteering

No I cannot make a contribution at this time but please keep me informed.

Name: _____________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________

City: ______________________________________________

Postal Code: _________________________________________

Phone Number:_______________________________________

Fax Number: ________________________________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________



Thank you for your support,
Guatemala Community Network

For more information please contact us at: Tel: (416) 256-9154, info@gcnetwork.ca or visit: www.gcnetwork.ca