Breaking the Silence




			What is International Accompaniment in Guatemala? History: Since the early 1990's, BTS volunteers have participated in a human rights accompaniment program in Guatemala where they provide an international presence to Guatemalan individuals and organizations who have requested such a presence. The Program originally focussed on accompanying refugees returning to Guatemala. Current Accompaniment Programs: “Largo Plazo” – providing long-term accompaniment to witnesses of genocide and their supporters (See Overview of the Genocide Trials for more information) “Corto Plazo” --providing short-term accompaniment to individuals and organizations who face threats or intimidation due to the nature of their work. (See Update on Accompaniment Cases for more information) The placement of accompaniers in one of these two programs is determined by the Coordination of International Accompaniment in Guatemala during the training session. Accompanier preference is considered, but cannot always be accommodated. Accompaniers who stay for a longer term may be able to accompany in both programs. International Accompaniment as a Security Measure: ---Dissuasion---Documentation---Dissemination--- International accompaniment serves as one of the security measures for human rights defenders in Guatemala. The philosophy behind it is based on three pillars: dissuasive presence, documentation of human rights abuses and dissemination of information on an international scale. All three are inter-related. International accompaniment provides a dissuasive presence. An accompanier’s presence in a community or organization makes it clear that those suffering threats and intimidation are not alone. Given that many of the Guatemalans we accompany live in remote areas, an international presence is particularly effective in demonstrating that the witnesses are not alone. This aspect of accompaniment has been identified by many of those we accompany as an important moral and emotional support. International accompaniers assist in documenting human rights abuses. The accompaniment program is in a position to assist those we accompany in documenting human rights abuses that may occur and providing information about where to denounce those abuses. As well, they can support those we accompany in effectively adjusting their security plans. Finally, an important role for Accompaniment is disseminating information to our home countries and networks about human rights abuses in Guatemala. Part of the dissuasive presence that international accompaniment can have is based on the fact that if human rights abuses occur, the international community will be made aware of it. International pressure has been shown countless times to really work in getting both the Canadian and Guatemalan authorities to act. What Training and Support Do Accompaniers Receive? Training:* Accompaniers participate in two comprehensive training sessions. First, with BTS in Canada (3-4 days, held once every 1-2 years) and with the International Accompaniment Coordinator in Guatemala (7-10 days, held monthly). Accompaniment positions are available year round. Funding: Human Rights Accompaniers are volunteers, and are responsible for all their own costs, including travel to and from Guatemala. In the past, BTS Accompaniers have financed all or part of their costs through bursaries and fundraising. The BTS Accompaniment Committee can help suggest funding sources. Accompaniers with financial need may be eligible for a bursary from BTS and/or from CAIG (the Coordination of Accompaniment in Guatemala). Costs for the BTS training will be kept as low as possible through our own fundraising. Debriefing: All accompaniers from BTS will participate in a debriefing shortly after their return from Guatemala. Education: The Accompaniment Committee can assist returning accompaniers in organizing educational tours upon their return to Guatemala. Other support: An Accompaniment Coordinator, based in Halifax, is available to assist in determining whether accompaniment is appropriate for you and provides logistical and other support for accompaniers before leaving for Guatemala, while in Guatemala and after returning to Canada. The Accompaniment Committee, with members throughout the Maritimes, also can assist accompaniers before, during and after accompaniment. Is Accompaniment Right For You? Are you flexible adaptable, open to differences and able to handle living and working under challenging circumstances? Are you willing to learn and capable of working as part of a team along with other accompaniers? Do you have good judgement and are you mature, responsible and discreet? Do you have a solid understanding of human rights and solidarity work? Are you culturally sensitive and able to understand issues in rural indigenous communities? Do you have an understanding of the history and current situation in Guatemala? Are you in good health, both mentally and physically? Are you at an intermediate level of Spanish and/or willing to improve your Spanish language abilities prior to accompaniment? Note: These criteria are used to assess eligible participants for accompaniment. We encourage you to contact Janelle Frail at btsaccompaniment@gmail.com for further information. Top of Page		How can I get invloved? Become an accompanier Organize a fundraiser or awareness raising event in your community Volunteer with your local BTS accompaniment committee Donate money to sponsor an accompanier Sign up for the urgent action list and write to officials to denounce human rights abuses in Guatemala. Urgent Actions Click here for the most recent urgent actions on our blog. Accompaniment Reports Click here for the accompaniment reports on our blog. Other Sources of Information: www.acoguate.blogspot.com -Prepared by members of the Accompaniment Program in Guatemala. Phenomenal source with updates on the human rights situation in Guatemala. Main site is in Spanish. There are many links to other language sites (Look at “Enlaces Internos” on right hand side) www.mimundo.org -Photo essays on Guatemala by James Rodriguez, information in both English and Spanish www.justicianuevalinda.org -Information on the struggle for justice in the Community of Nueva Linda, who have been living at KM 207 for over three years. In Spanish. *Have a suggestion for other links? Let us know: btsaccompaniment@gmail.com


	. Related Links Tatamagouche Centre ARSN (Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network) Just Us! Fair Trade Coffee Roasters JUDES (Just Us! Development and Education Society) New Hope Foundation NISGUA (Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala) GHRC (Guatemala Human Rights Commission - US) Rights Action Mining Watch Canada CAIG

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