Country Inside View: Guatemala
Gabriela Caballeros Roman lives in Guatemala, and is actively supporting human rights and One Day for Human Rights. She, along with other people in Guatemala, acknowledges the fact that education, media and action can change a country’s stance on human rights.
In this post she wrote just a few for the reasons why human rights actions are needed in her country, and I am honored to post her words here and make her country’s situation known!
My Country: Guatemala
Guatemala is a small country in Central America. It is full with great places and good people. But also it has bad leaders. Everyone here has the same thought: “In this country there are no human rights”. Why? Here are examples why:
Assaults on a Daily Basis
This is what we live everyday. People get assault and most of the times they get killed. All are afraid of being assaulted when they get out of home, in buses (mostly), and even at home. Time passes and there are more thieves. The law supports the thieves. If the police catch a Thief, they spend only the night at jail, even if they kill a person. Some try to make their own justice facing thieves, killing them. And when a person kills a thief, is where the justice and the Office of Human Rights act in truth.
Children Abuse
The children are being abused in different ways. Because the poverty that exists, many living on the streets forcing children to work and ask for money.
Many steal children to sell them later or smuggle their organs. Others force them to work instead of giving education. Education is also limited. In many places there are no schools and the quality of education is low. The government is implementing the free schools but not the supplies or supplements of educational quality.
Solutions and Action Needed
People are loosing respect from each other. And this is what children are learning. They don’t trust most of the people so they are not respectful. I ask friends and family about their opinions of what Guatemala needs to live with Human rights. All of us agree about education, media and action. Education for people (many doesn’t know about the subject). Media and resources to educate people. And take action to enforce our rights. But to make this happen all of us have the same question too: How?
I invite you to give me your opinion. You can contact me via Twitter: http://twitter.com/lagaba
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Thank you, Gabriela! I know it takes a lot of courage to post publicly about the situation in your country, and I admire yor courage!
Please everyone, contact Gabriela with suggestions and feedback, or leave a comment on this post, so that she can contact you!
Anca
In celebration of its Anniversary, “One Day for Human Rights” is an awareness campaign aimed to promote and support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A very touching written article of Guatemala. Sad when I hear about the children condition there. It is always a big problem in third countries anywhere the world. I live in Indonesia, where children sometimes have to work. They are not always forced to do work, but mostly because they want to help the financial problems of their parents. I’ve seen many social groups held by the local communities in major big cities in Indonesia that are already participate to give free education for the poor children. These groups are actively promoting strong network in order to get more donation and sponsors. Their presence inside the community will also increase people awarness of the importance of education. The organisations stand for the children needs and to push down social issues that caused by the chain’s problems of poor educated generation.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/07/19/semarang-school-offers-free-education-poor.html-0
http://www.sampoernafoundation.org/content/view/867/337/lang,en/
Nice post and a nice blog. I love Guatemala, been there 5 times for work and I met some wonderful people. I love the scenery, the colors, the sights and sounds, the food… I would love to go back.
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