Guatemala: Member of Young Trade Unionists’ Network Murdered

The ITUC has firmly condemned the killing of Marlon Dagoberto Vásquez López, aged just 19. Marlon played an active role in the young trade unionists’ network in Quetzaltenango and was a member of the construction and service workers’ union SINCSG (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Servicios de Guatemala).

“Impunity in Guatemala must end now,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. “The murder of Marlon Vásquez brings the number of trade unionists killed in Guatemala since 2007 to 63, and it is unacceptable. Democracy is under threat when those defending workers have to pay with their lives for their trade union activities.”

According to the International Trade Union Confederation, Guatemala could be presented as the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists.

In a letter to the Guatemalan authorities, the ITUC urged President Fernando Pérez Molina to take every action necessary to ensure a full, immediate and impartial investigation into this killing and to disclose the findings to the trade unionist’s family, the general public and the International Labour Organisation.

ENDS

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