By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – After faithfully serving the catholic church for 30 years as a priest, Nicolas Alessio was cast from the church, and expelled from the ministry. With the media ablaze with stories of catholic corruption, sex abuse and ineffectual leadership many might come to the wrong conclusion for Alessio’s expulsion. In reality he was expelled for speaking in favor of gay and equal marriage when the issue came to a vote in Argentina.

When Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, there was considerable outrage from many organizations. Chief among them was the Catholic Church which has maintained its staunch disagreement and criticism of the homosexual lifestyle. Among the chief insults to the Catholic Church, Alessio was determined to have made and was actively supporting gay marriage, and when it became legalized, marrying and divorcing same-sex couples.

Documents released earlier this week indicated that Alessio was punished “by dismissal from the clerical state, through the Congregation for the Clergy,” and as thus has lost “the clerical state’s own rights and remains excluded from the whole exercise of the sacred ministry.” The Archbishop of Cordoba, Monsignor Carlos Jise Nanez apparently reported that the canonical ecclesiastical court was brought forth due to Alessio’s public statements made in favor of same-sex marriage.

Unfortunately for Alessio, his conviction is not subject to any appeal. During the course of the trial, Alessio was forbidden from publicly exercising his position as a priest, and not allowed to publicly celebrate mass, or administer sacraments to the congregation. At the canonical trial Alessio did not exercise a defense, as he believed that trial itself was without foundation, and to do so would effectively endorse their actions.

Despite being officially ostracized by the church for exercising his freedom of speech and expression, Alessio has refused to stop his work. “Over 30 years serving the people of God did not mean anything to the Catholic Church. It was enough to opine different Archbishopric getting fired. I personally do not affect me at all, because I will continue sharing the sacraments as heretofore. The faithful do not care about these official decisions.“

With Uruguay becoming the second south American country to legalize same-sex marriage, the catholic church may need to readjust their stance and position on the subject. Alessio has indicated, that despite being excised from the priesthood, he will continue to do the job of a priest, “I will have to admit they can not erase what I am: a priest.”

For more information, please see:

El Puercoespin – Argentina: The Priest Who Made The Option For Gays, Politics And His Own Son, John D’Alessandro – 13 April 2013

Info Catolica – Nicolas Alessio Ha Sido Penado Con La Dimision De Estado Clerical – 13 April 2013

La Arena – A Nicolas Alessio Took Away The Cure Condition For Demonstrating In Favor Of Equal Marriage – 12 April 2013

Aica – El Vaticano Pena Con Dimision Del Estado Clerical A Jose Nicolas Alessio – 12 April 2013

Clarin – The Vatican Began To Cure Cordoba Who Supported Gay Marriage – 12 April 2013

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – With an overwhelming majority of vote of support Uruguay’s Congress passed a bill effectively legislating same-sex marriage within the Latin American country. And as bill passed the house with a vote of 71 out of 92, it was not with a whisper, but with thunderous applause as groups celebrating the historic decision. When President Jose Mujica, and the upper house signs – as they are expected too – and ratifies the bill, Uruguay will be the 12^th country and second in South America to pass binding legislation.

While civil unions have been approved in Uruguay since 2008, advocates have indicated that “marriage embodies a much broader [institution]” compared to civil unions. The bill contains language similar to that of the bill that legalized same-sex marriage in Argentina in 2010. In Article 1 of the bill, marriage will be defined as “the union of two parties, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation in the same terms, with the same effects and ways of solutions sets to present the civil code.”

Criticism for same-sex marriage, the bill, and the homosexual lifestyle has come from groups aligned with the Roman Catholic Church and other similar Christian organizations which claim that it would endanger the sacred institution of family, and the family unit. Many, including lawmakers openly oppose the bill as it would “distort and change the nature of the institution of marriage.” Among the critics are Congressman Pablo Iturralde, who argued that the bill modified the legal framework of heterosexual marriage. Rather than regulating the framework for gay marriage, the congress has altered every fabric of straight and gay marriage.

Proponents have been vehement in their support, as LGBT organizations have begun celebrating, and homosexual couples have begun rejoicing with their future, which no longer regulates them as secondary class citizens. While the legislative recognition of same-sex marriage will not guarantee the removal of any social discrimination there are indications that public policies will be aimed at changing the cultural society necessary to achieve equality within society.

Fernando Amado, lawmaker within the Congress, boiled the argument down to family and love. “I agree that family is the basis of society but also believe that love is the basis of family. And love is neither homosexual nor heterosexual.

For more information, please see:

Telam – To Rachid, Equal Marriage In Uruguay “Reinforces A Commitment To Inclusion” – 11 April 2013

Yahoo – Uruguay Approves Gay Marriage, Second In Region To Do So – 11 April 2013

BBC – Uruguay Congress Votes To Legalise Gay Marriage – 11 April 2013

Telam – The Equal Marriage Law Was Enacted In Uruguay – 10 April 2013

The Guardian – Uruguay Legalises Same-Sex Marriage – 10 April 2013

 

 

By Pearl Rimon
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

 SANTIAGO, Chile – Chile’s Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez in Havana. Conservative groups hope the talks cover the extradition of fugitives suspected of killing Senator Jaime Guzmán in 1991.

However, it is reported that Moreno will meet privately with Rodríguez about the Guzmán case.

Guzmán founded the conservative Independent Democratic Union (UDI) party in 1983. He was also an advisor to General Augusto Pinochet and co-authored the country’s 1980 constitution.

 Moreno and Rodríguez will meet with Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Enrique Castillo, the three together form the Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (CELAC) to discuss agreements reached in January during a conference in Santiago.

During the January CELAC conference, Cuban President Raúl Casto, promised President Sebastián Piñera his cooperation in locating the people who took part in the assassination plot. Piñera presented a UDI report that discussed that the alleged criminals are residing in Cuba.

The UDI received renewed impetus due to April 1^st, being the 22^nd anniversary of the senator’s assassination. He was assassinated by members of the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR).

UDI president, Patricio Melero, spoke at a memorial event for the slain senator. He said he hoped the diplomatic efforts would “…[P]ut an end to two decades of impunity and restore the dignity of Jaime Guzmán as a person, a politician and a good man.”

“We owe it not only to the memory of Jaime Guzmán but to all Chileans who believe in justice to continue pressuring national and international institutions to complete their role in facilitating the just conviction of those who planned and perpetrated his assassination, all of whom are today at liberty; this is the greatest injustice of all,” Melero said.

Groups like the FPMR credit Guzmán for some of the human rights abuses during the Pinochet dictatorship. The FPMR describes him as “one of the principal intellectual authors and ideologues of the (1973) military coup and subsequent genocide,” who “despite attempts to portray him as a saint, was always behind criminal acts enacted against the people.”

The only people to have been convicted for Guzmán’s murder were rescued in a dramatic prison escape via helicopter, which was planned by the FPMR in 1996.

A memorial for Guzmán was held on April 1, the 22^nd anniversary of his death. PResidiental candidate Laurence Golborne, Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick, and UDI President Melero were in attendance.

 

For more information, please see:

Radio Cadena Agramonte — FMs of Cuba and Chile Hold Talks in Havana – 06 April 13

Santiago Times — Chilean Right seeks extradition for Guzmán killers – 03 April 13

Latercera — Jaime Guzman, ideals and leadership – 01 April 13

Santiago Times — Chilean conservatives commemorate assassinated Senator Jaime Guzmán – 01 April 13

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

GUATEMALA CITY , Guatemala – Guatemalan president Otto faces accusations atrocities that would link his command to war crimes and crimes against humanity as the trial of former leader Efrain Rios Montt goes underway.

Rios Montt was indicted in January 2012 on charges related to 15 massacres of the indigenous Ixil people in 1982.  Prosecutors have begun the trial by attempting to link this Rrios Montts history of representational inhumanity, and establish how as a general he willfully ignored soldiers who used rape, torture and arson as weapons against rebels.  Montt  has yet to take the stand, and when he does will be the first Guatemalan former head of state to do so on the charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Related to these incidents however was testimony from former army engineer Hugo Reyes that linked current president Otto Perez to war crimes an atrocities during the Guatemalan6g6y civil war. The engineer testified that under Perez’s commanded, soldiers’ intentionally and willfully destroyed property and burned homes and killed unarmed civilians.

These accusations led to statements that President Perez has vehemently rejected, referring to witness’s testimony as “a lie” and refused to comment on the potential testimony.

During the civil war, Perez was known as Major Tito Arias commanded troops along with another officer in northwestern Guatemala. Reyes, testified that the two coordinated the burning of homes and “pulling people out so they could execute them.” He continued by explaining how soldiers would take kidnapped civilians back to the military barracks where they were tortured, killed and then unceremoniously dumped into mass graves.

This is not the first time that Perez’s past as a military officer has led to speculation. When Perez took office, many questioned his participation in the war that took 200,000 people, and lead to the forced disappearance of another 45,000.  After his ascension to the presidency, human rights activists questioned whether he would bar efforts to bring army officials accused of war crimes to justice, but beyond the rejection of Reyes testimony, Perez has not gone to lengths to stop the criminal courts from processing war criminals.

It is unknown if this testimony will lead to anything. As a sitting President he enjoys amnesty as a public officials and cannot be subpoenaed.

Reyes has stated that he fears for his life, explaining that he fears retribution from Perez and other military commanders stating “I’m totally sure that they feel nothing in their soul torturing and disappearing someone.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Guatemala Genocide Trial A Landmark – 19 March 2013

Reuters – Guatemalan President Rejects Testimony Linking Him To War Crimes – 5 April 2013

Stabroek News – Witness At Ex-Dictator’s Trial Links Guatemalan President To War Crimes – 5 April 2013

El Tiempo – ‘The Conviction Of Former Dictator Rios Montt Could initiate Reconciliation’ – 5 February 2013

 

By Pearl Rimon
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SUCRE, Bolivia – Bolivian President Evo Morales has made recent comments about the country’s withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR).

This announcement came immediately after the IAHCR ‘s hearing on the construct of a road through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory.

“We are seriously considering withdrawing from the commission,” Morales said, according to The Associated Press. “We have our dignity and sovereignty to put in place in these kinds of institutions,”

President Morales’ stance is similar to Ecuadorean President’s Correa’s, who is advocating a series of reforms to the IACHR. One of Correa’s reforms is to change IAHCR’s headquarters in Washington D.C. The Commission “has offices in the United States and that country has not ratified any human rights treaty,” said Morales. President Correa and the Bolivian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) received approval for the proposal to block the Organization of American States (OAS) rapporteur’s office from pushing reports on freedom of expression, block the office from independent financial support and place it under control from member states. The OAS is made up of ambassadors from member states.

The ALBA members have threatened to withdraw from the human rights organization if their proposal was not met. ALBA took advantage of the weakening support for the human rights system in South America. The OAS is in charge of writing the restructuring for the organization that encompasses the ALBA’s recommendations.

Morales has accused the OAS of coming to Bolivia for the purpose of defending governments “that were massacring the Bolivian people.”

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza said that he would oppose efforts to weaken human rights. However, in response to the ALBA’s recommendations, Insulza proposed a statutory overhaul to govern the IACHR. His recommendations are for the governments to decide the IAHCR monitoring, force delays in the organization’s  findings and restrict the power to issue precautionary measures.

Isuluza has said, “  “The OAS and its member states need an autonomous and strong commission and an autonomous and strong court of human rights. But these bodies also need to take into consideration, in the course of their work, the points of view of the democratic governments of the hemisphere.”

The Inter-American system for the protection of human rights occurred after the adoption of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man in 1948. The Commission of Human Rights was created in 1959.

Venezuela withdrew from the American Convention on Human Rights in September.

 

For further information, please see:

Christian Science Monitor — Victory for human rights in Latin America? – 25 March 13

 Al Jazeera — The IACHR against colonialism – 23 March 13

 Fox News Latino — Bolivia Threatens To Pull Out of International Human Rights Organization – 22 March 13

Americas Quarterly — Human Rights Under Siege in the Americas – 12 February 13