From: Christic Institute <christic@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Rigoberta Nobel Peace Prize
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 03:38:23 GMT

/* Written  9:13 am  Sep 11, 1992 by codehuca in cdp:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "Rigoberta Nobel Peace Prize" ---------- */
                      RIGOBERTA MENCHU TUM 
               CANDIDATE FOR THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 

     "The struggle is based on the people's needs and the reality
     of the situation, not on abstractions. It is based on 
     realities such as the pain of hunger, or seeing those 
     responsible for the killings, the torture and the 
     disappearances - far from being judged or punished - still 
     acting against the people". (Rigoberta) 

     "The people of Central America deserve peace, and the Nobel
     Peace Prize as well" 

Using this motto CODEHUCA is backing the nomination of Rigoberta
Menchu Tum for the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize. Rigoberta, a human 
rights activist from the Quiche people of Guatemala, represents 
the Indigenous people of the Americas, in their 500 years of 
resistance and struggle against unjust economic and military 
models imposed from Europe and the first world, implemented by 
military rulers and economic elites of the countries of the 
Americas.  

Rigoberta also represents the people of Guatemala who, since a 
military coup in 1954 (orchestrated by the CIA and multi- 
national fruit companies with land interests in Guatemala) have 
been human rights victims of perhaps the most repressive and 
unjust economic and military orders in all of the Americas. 

     "In Guatemala it's no good just looking at the personalities
     in political office because our problem is not a person or a
     political party, but the reality of a system of repression,
     of exploitation and the plunder of resources. This system 
     has enriched a minority in power, but also results in hunger
     and destitution for our people". (Rigoberta) 

In Central America there are approximately 6.5 million Indigenous
people, one fourth of the region's population. This sector of the
population has for 500 years been oppressed, even more than the 
general population - their most basic human rights being 
systematically violated. In many senses of the word they have 
been and are fighting for survival. 

     "Many people forget that in Guatemala we are killed in two 
     ways. One is direct repression, which has taken the lives of
     thousands of our brothers and sisters, and continues to do 
     so. The other is hunger and poverty. These too are killing 
     Guatemalans every day". (Rigoberta) 

Guatemala is home for 5.3 million Indigenous people. Rigoberta is
of the Quich people, one of 22 Indigenous groups in Guatemala. 
She began her personal struggle more than a decade ago, a little
before the time her father was burned alive, along with 30 other
farmers (campesinos), in the Spanish Embassy in Guatemala City by
Guatemalan National Guardsmen. 

     "The army also directly attacks our cultural roots, our 
     people's way of life and thought, and tries to implant the 
     ideology which makes people accept the system of domination.
     We have to understand that the war against the people isn't
     just waged with bombs". (Rigoberta) 

In May 1989, the Italian Socialist Party proposed the nomination
of Rigoberta Menchu. On December 19, 1989, Adolfo Prez Esquivel 
of Argentina (Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1980) officially 
presented her candidature. Since her nomination, numerous 
humanitarian, human rights and indigenous organizations, 
governments, politicians, artists and intellectuals from around 
the world have given their support for her nomination. In 
January, 1992, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace 
Prize winner, 1984) voiced his support for her nomination. 

What impresses people and organizations around the world is 
Rigoberta's dedication to the struggle of her people, despite the
incredible violence and poverty that is used against the 
Guatemalan people. 

     "The most important thing is that now is a time when the 
     Guatemalan people are reaffirming their struggle, when they
     are reaffirming that they were not wrong when they created 
     their own organizations and built them up. They are 
     reaffirming the justice and the necessity of a struggle 
     which has already cost many lives, even though they know 
     perfectly well that the army too is making its 
     preparations".  

Rigoberta's struggle is that of the popular organizations in 
Guatemala and throughout the region, that work on the full range
of human rights issues: poverty and misery, political and civil 
repression, racial discrimination, gender inequality, etc. 

     "Our people are poised to make new advances because they 
     have already set out on a journey full of pain, but also of
     hope for a lasting solution to their plight".  

     "No-one will hold them back because they have come to 
     realize that the solution is not in the hands of their 
     oppressors but in their own hands. Their strength and their
     organization will ensure that, though the journey may be 
     long and difficult, peace will no longer be a dream, but 
     will become a reality". 

On October 16, 1992, the Swedish Academy will announce this 
year's winner. Rigoberta Menchu is on the final list of 
candidates. 

     "Rigoberta is a very strong candidate as she represents very
     ancient peoples, peoples who for 500 years have suffered 
     under despotic rule, plundering and, in many cases, 
     extermination efforts by yesterday's and today's conquerors.
     Rigoberta is a Central American fighter, a Guatemalan Quiche
     woman, who represents the aspirations of the people in the 
     region for justice and peace". (Silvia Porras, CODEHUCA's
     general coordinator).  

     "The cause of peace and human rights for Central America 
     will benefit greatly if Rigoberta Menchu is awarded this 
     well deserved prize". (Silvia Porras). 

CODEHUCA hopes to raise awareness concerning Rigoberta's 
candidature and ultimately to focus international attention on 
the current human rights situation of Indigenous peoples across 
the Americas and in particular of the people in Guatemala. We 
hope to raise awareness about the efforts and struggles of 
Rigoberta and people like her across the Americas to put an end 
to centuries of systematic violations of the human rights of 
Indigenous peoples and Latin American populations in general. 

We hope that northern partners and organizations will contribute
to efforts to educate their public about who Rigoberta is and 
what her struggle is all about. If you want more informaiton 
concerning Rigoberta, Guatemala and the 500 years campaign of 
Indigenous peoples, don't hesitate to contact us. 

Contact persons: Marjoleine and Vinicio
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive