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UN Special Rapporteur Balakrishan Rajagopal called on Friday for Guatemala to immediately suspend its “violent and inhumane” evictions amid concerns that they violate international law.
Specifically, the UN expert is concerned that during the forced evictions, houses are burned down, as well as the “food crops and private possessions of very poor people.” Thus, he believes these evictions “amount to cruel and inhuman treatment” and violate international law. Vulnerable communities, such as Indigenous and rural communities, have been particularly impacted by these evictions.
Moreover, Special Rapporteur Rajagopal believes that many of the evictions are carried out “with no opportunity to bring evidence of land ownership, no prior notice, or opportunity to salvage crops and belongings.”
This warning from the UN expert comes as Guatemala faces several converging crises, including land dispossession, a worsening water crisis, and serious threats to judicial independence. Indeed, the Special Rapporteur Rajagopal linked these violations to Guatemala’s unresolved legacy of colonial land dispossession and the lack of legal recognition for Indigenous ownership. He expressed worry that “[w]ithout legal certainty of land rights, there can be no secure access to the right to adequate housing.”
Despite some positive steps taken by the Guatemalan government, Special Rapporteur Rajagopal emphasized the need for immediate, coordinated action in addressing these land rights issues. He urged that: “While good will had been demonstrated by the Executive, a collective effort is needed to tackle these enormous challenges, including the support of the Legislature and the Judiciary, with the full participation and consultation of Indigenous Peoples and other communities.”
Meanwhile, a related humanitarian crisis continues to unfold. In a recent report, Human Rights Watch warned of severe disparities in water access, especially among Indigenous populations. The report revealed that nearly half the country lacks reliable access to clean water, despite Guatemala having more freshwater per capita than the global average. The situation is further exacerbated by what UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite described in May as a “disturbing pattern” of political interference in Guatemala’s justice system.
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Specifically, the UN expert is concerned that during the forced evictions, houses are burned down, as well as the “food crops and private possessions of very poor people.” Thus, he believes these evictions “amount to cruel and inhuman treatment” and violate international law. Vulnerable communities, such as Indigenous and rural communities, have been particularly impacted by these evictions.
Moreover, Special Rapporteur Rajagopal believes that many of the evictions are carried out “with no opportunity to bring evidence of land ownership, no prior notice, or opportunity to salvage crops and belongings.”
This warning from the UN expert comes as Guatemala faces several converging crises, including land dispossession, a worsening water crisis, and serious threats to judicial independence. Indeed, the Special Rapporteur Rajagopal linked these violations to Guatemala’s unresolved legacy of colonial land dispossession and the lack of legal recognition for Indigenous ownership. He expressed worry that “[w]ithout legal certainty of land rights, there can be no secure access to the right to adequate housing.”
Despite some positive steps taken by the Guatemalan government, Special Rapporteur Rajagopal emphasized the need for immediate, coordinated action in addressing these land rights issues. He urged that: “While good will had been demonstrated by the Executive, a collective effort is needed to tackle these enormous challenges, including the support of the Legislature and the Judiciary, with the full participation and consultation of Indigenous Peoples and other communities.”
Meanwhile, a related humanitarian crisis continues to unfold. In a recent report, Human Rights Watch warned of severe disparities in water access, especially among Indigenous populations. The report revealed that nearly half the country lacks reliable access to clean water, despite Guatemala having more freshwater per capita than the global average. The situation is further exacerbated by what UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite described in May as a “disturbing pattern” of political interference in Guatemala’s justice system.
The post UN expert calls for suspension on evictions in Guatemala as legal and humanitarian crises deepen appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.