The Guatemalan Human Rights Commission – GHRC/USA – announces that the 2018 recipient of the Alice Zachmann Human Rights Defender’s Award is the Bufete para Pueblos Indígenas, and will be accepted on behalf of Maya k’iche’ lawyer Jovita Tzul Tzul on December 4.
Ms. Tzul has spent her life working to defend and promote the rights of indigenous communities and a plurinational state. As co-litigator for the Indigenous Peoples’ Legal Clinic, she represents people and communities that face serious threats of to their lives and livelihoods due to the imposition of extractive projects in their territory. She also works closely with plurinational feminist organization Tzununija and the Human Rights Legal Clinic.
Jovita’s areas of expertise are criminalization/malicious prosecution, land, territory, rights of indigenous women and forced displacement of indigenous communities, among others. In addition to litigating, Jovita has taught courses and presented at numerous forums nationally and internationally.
Jovita has worked as part of the strategic litigation team on such emblematic cases as those of indigenous rights defenders Abelino Chub Caal, Maria Choc and indigenous communities affected by the imposition of hydroelectric companies.
Since 2012, the Guatemala Human Rights Commission has presented the annual the Alice Zachmann Human Rights Award to human rights defenders in Guatemala. The Alice Zachmann Human Rights Award recognizes commitment to promoting respect for human rights, even when confronted by threats and violence.
This award aims to protect human rights defenders at risk of suffering acts of violence and other attacks, and honors the legacy of Sister Alice Zachmann who founded GHRC in 1982, and directed the organization tirelessly over 20 years.
We will have live music from our close friends with the terrific group Wayta – two local musicians playing beautiful Andean music: https://www.facebook.com/duowayta
We are asking for a suggested donation of $20 to attend the event; please RSVP here: https://goo.gl/forms/L2wkH9jJBqYb9Hhf2.
There will be food and drinks at the event from 7 to 9pm at the American Friends Service Committee, 1822 R St. NW, Washington, D.C.
