Dangerous work environment a threat to child development. It said that child workers not only lose their childhood, but also have a higher chance of being exploited as adult workers because of their lack of schooling. The study also states that many youths are beaten and sexually assaulted, especially those working in maquilas and agricultural work. They are also exposed to various illnesses and fatal or disabling accidents, many of these in limestone quarries and fireworks factories. April 9th, 1999.
Government requests an observer.
The Guatemalan government has asked the United Nations to send Param Cumaraswamy, a rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, to Guatemala to observe the country's judicial system. Foreign Minister Edward Stein recently sent an official letter to Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights of the UN, in which he invited Cumaraswamy to visit the country for an unspecified amount of time. Casa Alianza has requested time with the Rapporteur to analyse the lack of justice for violent crimes against street children. April 9th, 1999. UN to investigate reports of child trafficking.