New York, Jan. 15 -- With demonstrations expected to take place in various Guatemalan cities on Monday and Tuesday, the UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, is urging the Guatemalan Government to guarantee freedom of expression and opinion, and the right to peaceful assembly and association.
Freedom of expression, without fear of reprisals and intimidation, is the backbone of democracy, Bachelet said. A culture of human rights and peace is strengthened when diverse social groups can express themselves in the public space and freely exercise their rights. The demonstrations have been organized by various civil society groups to highlight several issues, including the Governments unilateral decision on 7 January to terminate the work of...