Social activists in Guatemala have called for an end to human rights violations and blamed secret groups allegedly linked to the government for 102 cases of violence this year against rights activists.


Miguel Angel Albizures, from the Centre for Legal Action on Human Rights (CALDH), said since January 1 to June 22 this year, one violation at least every 33 hours was reported against individuals or entities, according to Prensa Latina news agency.

Social activists have long demanded a commission to investigate illegal bodies and secret security organisations but there has been no positive response from the government, said Albizures.

He said rights organisations feared that the Army "may go beyond the fulfilment of its duty", just as it did during 36 years of armed conflict in the country till the peace accords were signed in 1996 between the government and rebels.

Condemning the continuing wave of attacks, including intimidation, threats and raids, he said these aggressions had in only six months almost reached the entire total registered in 2004, which was 125.

CALDH has been among the most persecuted bodies in 2005, said Albizures. The latest attack had been a raid against the headquarters of the Education Workers Union June 25.

Guatemala's male-dominated society was heavily militarised during the more than three decades of civil war and men openly carry weapons and are no strangers to extreme violence.