Title: GUATEMALA: ARMY RAZED RURAL COMMUNITIES, CODEHUCA REPORTS
san jose, dec 17 (ips) -- the guatemalan army conducted ''scorched
earth'' operations in indigenous communites of the north-east
quiche province, the central american commission in defense of
human rights (codehuca) reported thursday.
according to the codehuca communique, the army operation, begun
nov. 21, totally destroyed the infrastructure in the communities
of cuarto pueblo and los angeles.
''the army razed everything, set fire to the houses, killed
domestic and farm animals, and destroyed all the household
appliances and tools,'' the san jose-based human rights
organisation reported.
''in addition, they robbed valuable objects and destroyed the
communities agricultural fields.''
compiled in coordination with the guatemalan commission for human
rights, the codehuca communique states that the communities of
cuarto pueblo and los angeles were completely destroyed and its
inhabitants have sought refuge in the surrounding mountains and in
neighbouring chiapas, mexico.
codehuca denounced the guatamalan government's failure to comply
with the ''esquipulas ii accord,'' which calls for an end regional
violence and provides incentives for rural residents and refugees.
(end/ips/trd/so/im/eli/92)
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