22 / January

This deplorable act of violence was condemned by civil society and national and international human rights organizations.

A letter sent to Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor on the 2nd August 2011, marking six months since his death and requesting the prompt investigation of his murder, was signed by 44 organizations and over 400 individuals from 26 countries.

Nevertheless, nearly a year after his murder, the circumstances surrounding his death have yet to be fully investigated.For this reason, institutional and individual signatures are currently being collected for the attached letter, which will be published in the Guatemalan media on the 2nd February 2012.
It is hoped that even more signatures will be received than in the previous action, to show that the murder of young human rights defenders like Víctor cannot remain in a state of impunity.

You can sign by emailing quevivavictor@yahoo.com
or by signing online at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/qu... before the 28th January 2012.
(Please indicate your country!)

In solidarity, Friends of Víctor Leiva

— 

PLEASE SIGN THIS CARD AND SEND YOUR FIRMS BY EMAILING
quevivavictor@yahoo.com
and copy to espoirchiapas@msn.com

Guatemala, February 2, 2012

Open letter addressed to the Attorney General of Guatemala, Doctor Claudia Paz y Paz Bailey

Doctor Claudia Paz y Paz Bailey
Attorney General of the Republic of Guatemala _ 15thAvenue 15-16, 8thlevelZone1, Gerona Neighborhood Guatemala City Guatemala

Dear Attorney General,

February 2, 2011, the young artist Víctor Leiva, left the cultural center where he was taking dance classes. Moments later, in the center of downtown Guatemala City, Victor was shot dead. Today marks the year anniversary of his murder, and the circumstances of his death still are not fully known.

Víctor –known as “elMono”(“the Monkey”)–was an artist, promoter of culture, human rights defender focused on the rights of young people, and founding member of the collective Caja Lúdica.
He was an inspiration to the young people with whom he worked. One friend remembers him:

“He was a great person, he was always very affectionate, very happy, outraged by the reality of life in Guatemala, he was passioned about creating art: we remember him as a companion - happy, full of life, and irreverent.”

This terrible act of violence generated a wave of indignation and rejection in Guatemalan civil society, and was condemned by various artistic organizations, as well as national and international human rights organizations.

We, the organizations and individuals undersigned, recognizing your lengthy professional career and commitment to human rights and justice, ask that you to carry out a prompt, exhaustive and efficient investigation; in order to identify, bring to trial, and sentence those responsible for the violent death of our companion and friend, Víctor Leiva.

Sincerely,

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