Brussels, 1 December 2008: On March 2nd 2008, Miguel Angel Ramirez, founder of the new SITRABANSUR union on the Olga Maria plantation in the Pacific South of Guatemala, was shot dead. In April 2008 SITRABI union member Enrique Cruz Hernández was shot during his lunch break. In February 2008 the daughter of the general secretary of SITRABANSUR was raped by a gang of armed men.
These are just a few of the many recent cases of violence against banana union leaders in Guatemala, which have been escalating since the murder of SITRABI union leader, Marco Tulio Ramírez, in September 2007. SITRABI General Secretary Noé Ramírez, reported that at least five banana workers were killed between February and April 2008. Union leaders and members in other sectors have also been victims of the increasingly generalized violence.
The ITUC supports the Bananalink Urgent Action to put an end to the violence and impunity in Guatemala. by signing this postcard to be sent to the British ambassador in Guatemala urging him to put pressure on the government to take immediate action and put an end to this violence.
For more information:
Guatemala Action Card
Guatemala Action Card 2
www.bananalink.org.uk
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