Guatemalans Demand
Respect for Children
Children's Day in
Guatemala was celebrated
Monday with several acts
demanding eradication of
violence and respect for
the rights of children.
In the small village of
Camotan in western
Chiquimula Department,
residents held a long
march carrying the
photograph of Michelle
España, the
nine-year-old girl who
was murdered on June 20.
Demonstrators carried
banners reading, "Public
Ministry, we demand
justice" and "her death
won't go unpunished."
Meanwhile, another march
took place in the
historic center of
Guatemala City, where a
girl interviewed by
media demanded the
immediate end to abuse
of children and
kidnappings.
According to the Human
Rights Office defender
of childhood and
adolescence Nidia
Aguilar del Cid,
violence and poverty are
the most severe problems
Guatemalan children
face.
Currently, half of all
minors suffer chronic
malnutrition and many of
them do not have access
to primary education,
medical services or
recreation. |
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