Repression of communities defending their rights in the Ixquisis Region, San Mateo Ixtatán, Huehuetenango
…January 17, 2017, the communities of the Micro Region of Ixquisis, San Mateo Ixtatán, Huehuetenango, who defend human rights, their territory, life and natural resources, carried out a peaceful protest to express, once again, their rejection and disagreement with the construction of hydroelectric projects owned by the company Promoción y Desarrollos Hídricos, Sociedad Anónima (PDH, SA)…At around 14:00…armed men, who were hiding behind bushes, fired against the demonstrators severely wounding the 72-year-old Sebastián Alonso Juan, a neighbor of the community…Sebastián Alonso Juan passed away without having received medical attention…Faced with this new repressive act, the signatory organizations demand…the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including a monitoring and sanctioning of those companies that operate with international funds and where human rights violations occur…