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UN:
Discrimination in Guatemala
Persists
The United Nations Committee for
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination denounced Monday
that racism continues in all
sectors of Guatemalan national
life.
The UN Committee cited the last
18 months of Guatemalan press
reports, and pointed out that
despite the commitment of the
government and society, the
struggle against racial
discrimination has shown no
steps forward.
Specialists said initiatives
from the population,
international organizations, and
the government itself, are still
without fulfilment.
UN Secretary for Guatemala
Alexei Avtonomov assured that
"rejection and disdainful
actions against the indigenous
peoples are still evident in
different sectors."
He also said that some media
show prejudice against several
aspects of the indigenous
peoples´ culture, and that these
peoples are at a disadvantage
for access to development
benefits and socio-political
participation.
He recommended creating
mechanisms for access to justice
to eliminate high levels of
discrimination and to facilitate
fundamental rights for the
Guatemalan indigenous peoples.
The secretary also said the
government should control
violence, intolerance, and
social exclusion in the country.
The UN Committee recommendations
will be ready March 10, sources
concluded.
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