Informe completo - Asociación de Investigación y Estudios Sociales

Violaciones de derechos humanos sufridas por migrantes en territorio guatemalteco…ABSTRACTNowadays the international immigration has become one of the most used survivalstrategies for groups of families and individuals, as well as the only alternative–known by the migrant– to achieve a project of life. Due to its geographical locationGuatemala is a country that is constantly used as a bridge or transit way by animportant number of migrant that want to get to the north.Through this research, some of the main sociodemographic characteristics ofimmigrants that passed through Guatemalan territory and visited “Casa del Migrante”(House of the Migrant) in Guatemala city. At the same time, the main violationsof human rights that these people suffered were identified. This information wascompleted with experience of some immigrants that are in the United States as wellas some opinions and points of view of experts in migratory subject.According to the results of the investigation most of the immigrants travelledlooking for in a better material living condition, with low levels of education, theytravelled alone, they have relatives or acquaintances in the place of destiny; and agreat number of them were willing to do the trip again in case they were deported.Besides, the abuses they faced were: swindle, intimidation, psychological andphysical abuse, among others. The main actors that commited these violationsare some members of the Civil National Police –PNC–, followed by agents of theGeneral Direction of Migration –DGM– in the borders and members of commondelinquency.In this case, when these immigrants were interviewed it was evident, thatpractices of the past prevail, such as the “culture of silence” associated with thenon reporting for the fear to retaliations; besides, the mistrust in public institutions,mainly the responsible of justice administration; as well as the ignorance of theirrights. That´s why when talking about the abuses suffered; it was off the interview,wispering and talking, refering to someone else.–105–