Agenzia Fides

Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHAR) has launched a warning for the murder of six indigenous people in Guatemala, following the clashes between the communities of Totonicapán, police and the army. In these incidents at least 40 civilians and seven members of the army were wounded, a military and a commercial truck were destroyed, as stated in a statement issued by OHCHAR. The clashes were triggered at several checkpoints established by indigenous farmers who were protesting against the increase in electricity fees and the provision of basic services. Obviously there are different versions, those who accuse people of having provoked the soldiers, those who accuse the army of having intervened with firearms. Local sources say that one cannot even blame anyone for the deaths, since the investigation is still in progress and there is much confusion about the incident. Meanwhile, the Government of Guatemala has disputed liability. Several social organizations, led by the Nobel Peace Prize 1992, the indigenous leader Rigoberta Menchú, condemned the violence and called for an independent investigation to bring to justice those responsible. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 09/10/2012)