Guate-Barillas
Guillermo Delgado (guiller@cats.ucsc.edu)
Thu, 10 Dec 1992 16:49:06 -0800
I have been more than surprised to see that Mr. Byron Barillas who just
emailed "Nobel Peace Prize 1992: A Prize Full of Hope & Expectations",
over-concentrates current Peace efforts for Guatemala on what could or
could not be done by the recent Mayan Nobel Prize Ms. Rigoberta Menchu.
In fact, Mr. Barillas demonstrates that the campaign to stop Human
Rights abuses in Guatemala, depends on Ms. Menchu's position. This
privileging of one individual as solely responsible is not only
unfair to Ms. Menchu., but it deflates and eliminates the particular
efforts of autonomous and independent Mayan organizations to take
part as active members of the Peace process in Guatemala. By
requesting-as a human rights--the Guatemalan Government and the URNG
(armed opposition in Guatemala), to consider the presence of both
men and women Indigenous delegates, belonging to several organized
Indigenous groups during those Peace dialogues, agreements and talks
to stop the wave of violence which has charaterized Guatemala for
such a long time. Mr. Barillas should recognize autonomous
Indigenous organizations who HAVE THEIR OWN VOICES. I do not think
that Ms. Menchu is the sole voice within those dialogues. The Nobel
Peace Prize should consider--indeed--encourage the fact that
Indigenous organizations be present during the talks, since
they--Mayas and other Indigenous nations in Guatemala--,have been
the alleged victims of over thirty years of violence, and at this
time of history are themselves giving testimony of their
experiences. Their voices, along with Ms. Menchu MUST BE HEARD.
G. Delgado-P.