Guatemala: Information on the relationship between government authorities and private security firms and private police forces, and on whether private security guards and private police agents have committed human rights abuses, 1996-1997
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GTM27758.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guatemala: Information on the relationship between government authorities and private security firms and private police forces, and on whether private security guards and private police agents have committed human rights abuses, 1996-1997, 1 September 1997, GTM27758.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abf924.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Amnesty International Report 1997 states that in 1996 land reformers and activists were subjected to harassment and death threats by private security guards (1997, 165). Over ten people, including private security guards, were killed in land disputes in 1996 (ibid.).
Country Reports 1996 and a 13 May 1996 Star Tribune report state that private security guards routinely harass and physically abuse street children (1997, 459). The Star Tribune article adds that the Casa Alianza, a Guatemala City-based organization that monitors street children, has 200 cases before the courts against police and security guards accused of abusing street children (13 May 1996). Please consult the attached Star Tribune article for additional information on some of Casa Alianza's lawsuits against private police and security guards.
The attached 21 September 1995 Latinamerica Press report states that there are because of the lack of national police personnel, over 90 private security agencies operating in Guatemala's wealthier neighbourhoods (4). The same report states that vigilante squads have organized in lower- and middle-class neighbourhoods to counter gang activity and to respond to the lack of policing (ibid.). One such vigilante group called Guardians of the Night was sanctioned by the Interior Ministry (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International. 1997. Amnesty International Report 1997. New York: Amnesty International USA.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 21 September 1995. Vol. 27, No. 34. "Urban Violence Rocks City."
Star Tribune [Minneapolis, Minn.]. 13 May 1996. Metro Edition. Paul McEnroe. "Not Forgotten, But Gone; The Case of a Guatemalan Youth Raises a Question That Goes Straight to the Heart." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 21 September 1995. Vol. 27, No. 34. "Urban Violence Rocks City," p. 4.
Star Tribune [Minneapolis, Minn.]. 13 May 1996. Metro Edition. Paul McEnroe. "Not Forgotten, But Gone; The Case of a Guatemalan Youth Raises a Question That Goes Straight to the Heart." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. 1996-1997.
Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 1996-1997.
Guatemala Human Rights Update [Washington]. 1996-1997.
Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996-1997.
Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1996-1997.
News from Americas Watch [New York]. 1996-1997.
Electronic sources: DIRB Databases, Global News Bank, Internet, REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC).
