Advocacy is resistance: Navigating anti-LGBTQI+ violence in post-war Guatemala May 23, 2024 | Read more
Canadian coalition calls for urgent action to uphold civil liberties and Charter rights at protests and encampments across the country May 15, 2024 | Read more
Inter Pares joins call for Burma to end use of violence and respect democracy Feb 4, 2021 | Read more
Planning is resistance: Indigenous people in Burma envision a self-determined future May 23, 2024 | Read more
Inter Pares welcomes Canada’s feminist realignment of international assistance Jun 9, 2017 | Read more
Stopping the unstoppable: Citizen resistance to exterminator technology in Burkina Faso Sep 4, 2019 | Read more
The Immigrant Workers Centre to receive 2018 Peter Gillespie Social Justice Award Apr 18, 2018 | Read more
“Until We Find Them”: Searching for missing loved ones on the road to the North Mar 11, 2019 | Read more
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS | Inter Pares and SUWRA launch Canadian civil society working group on Sudan Jun 25, 2024 | Read more
Karate and bodily autonomy: Helping girls in Bangladesh thrive through sport Dec 15, 2022 | Read more
Planning is resistance: Indigenous people in Burma envision a self-determined future May 23, 2024 | Read more
Advocacy is resistance: Navigating anti-LGBTQI+ violence in post-war Guatemala May 23, 2024 | Read more
Advocacy is resistance: Navigating anti-LGBTQI+ violence in post-war Guatemala May 23, 2024 | Read more
First-ever trial on sexual violence during armed conflict in Guatemala news : Updates February 11, 2016 Share Print The Breaking the Silence Alliance, an Inter Pares-supported coalition of Guatemalan organizations, has provided ongoing accompaniment to a group of 14 Mayan Q'eqchí women survivors of sexual violence committed by military during the internal armed conflict from the community of Sepur Zarco, and contributed to several advances in the fight against impunity for crimes of sexual violence. The Sepur Zarco case began again in national courts on February 1st, 2016, after years of preliminary proceedings that have led to the preventive imprisonment of two military officers. There will be over 40 hearings at the tribunal, including the testimonies of the victims, those of 35 witnesses, as well as 23 experts. Most importantly, this trial would not be able to proceed if it were not for the steadfast courage of the 14 survivors; we salute their determination to seek justice in spite of adversity. This is the first time in Guatemalan history that accusations of crimes of sexual violence committed during the internal armed conflict are being heard in front of national domestic courts. On Friday, February 26th, the Sepur Zarco trial concluded with a guilty verdict for both of the accused. In the ruling, presiding Judge Yasmin Barrios stated: “The survivors had to wait years to break the silence, be heard, and receive justice. Access to justice for the women, hearing their history, will help guarantee these types of crimes never happen again.” Retired Coronel Esteelmer Reyes Girón and former Military Commissioner Heriberto Valdez Asig together face more than 300 years in jail for crimes against humanity relating to sexual and domestic slavery, murder and forced disappearance. On Inter Pares’ Solidarity Tour blog, you can read about how members of Tour met with the plaintiffs outside the courtroom on February 19, their reflections, and more about the verdict. Learn more Follow our counterpart Breaking the Silence's trial blogWatch a short video timeline of the caseRead our 2016 Solidarity Tour blog Add new comment You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Your name Comment * Save Leave this field blank