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Delegation flies to Guatemala in search for justice
26 January 2007
An international group of trade unionists is on its way to Guatemala to demand justice for murdered trade unionist Pedro Zamora and to help protect his endangered colleagues.
The group has been organised by the ITF in its ongoing campaign to prevent the murder being covered up. It includes ITF officials; a Venezuelan Deputy; ITUC representatives; and Spanish, Guatemalan, El Salvadorean and US trade unionists. Officials from the ILO (International Labour Organization) and the US AFL-CIO are also expected. The high level group will meet with Pedro Zamora’s family, the government, police, the US Embassy, trade union leaders and human rights groups, as well as visiting the grave of Mr Zamora.
ITF General Secretary David Cockroft explained: “In the 12 days since Pedro’s murder we’ve fought to ensure that it isn’t swept under the carpet. Guatemala’s streets buzz with accusations that it was condoned at a high level, and we aim to keep racking the pressure up on the authorities to do something about it. This delegation is part of that effort. The calibre of those going on it shows both the outrage this vile little murder created and how seriously people around the world take this mission.
“The delegation is also there to help protect Pedro’s union colleagues, five of whom are victims of the same kind of death threats, shadowing and intimidation that preceded his murder.”
Pedro Zamora, General Secretary of the STEPQ Dockers’ union in Puerto Quetzal, was shot 20 times by multiple assailants who ambushed him as he collected his sons from a hospital appointment on 15 January. After firing 100 shots one walked up to the wounded Zamora and shot him in the face - in front of his children, one of whom, three year old Ángel, was wounded in the attack. Zamora’s last act had been to push the children to the floor to try and protect them.
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