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In light of the prolonged arbitrary detention of Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, Indigenous representatives of the 48 cantons of Totonicapán, who will today have been deprived of their liberty for six months, Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International, said: 

“Today marks six months since Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán were unjustly deprived of their liberty. For six months, the justice system has repeatedly violated their rights. Their detention is arbitrary, and they must therefore be released immediately. We will insist as many times as is necessary: organizing a peaceful protest is a right, not a crime. The misuse of terrorism charges to silence dissenting voices does, however, violate human rights and puts the entire Guatemalan society at risk.”

Today marks six months since Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán were unjustly deprived of their liberty. For six months, the justice system has repeatedly violated their rights. 

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International

Both men were detained on 23 April 2025 and subsequently charged with crimes of terrorism and obstruction of justice, with a judge ordering their pre-trial detention. Amnesty International believes that these criminal proceedings are unfounded and that they are part of a pattern of politically motivated persecution previously reported by the organization,  the UN and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. 

Information compiled by Amnesty International shows that the authorities are seeking to punish Luis Pacheco and Hector Chaclán for participating in the peaceful protests of October 2023 in defence of the rule of law. At the time, they were president and treasurer, respectively, of the Maya K’iche Council of Community Mayors of the 48 cantons of Totonicapán.

The proceedings have been marked by irregularities and delays on the part of the authorities, which have directly impacted the defendants’ right to a fair trial. Legal proceedings have been stalled since 25 June due to the absence of a judge to preside over them. The judiciary still needs to appoint a judge to conduct an intermediate hearing. Furthermore, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has kept the proceedings under reserve for several months, hindering their right to a defence and to be tried without unreasonable delay. 

“These delays unjustifiably prolong the arbitrary detention of Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán and add to the long list of human rights violations committed against them. We demand an immediate end to the criminalization of human rights defenders by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the judiciary,” added Ana Piquer. 

These delays unjustifiably prolong the arbitrary detention of Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán and add to the long list of human rights violations committed against them. We demand an immediate end to the criminalization of human rights defenders by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the judiciary. 

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International

Amnesty International reiterates that using antiterrorism laws to punish peaceful assembly is contrary to international human rights law, and once again calls on the Guatemalan authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful protest and to put an end to the criminal prosecution of human rights defenders.

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact press@amnesty.org 

The post Guatemala:  Six months of injustice and criminalization against Indigenous representatives from Totonicapán appeared first on Amnesty International.

Reacting to news that Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has petitioned the Supreme Court to designate the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) founded by the late prisoner of conscience Aleksei Navalny a “terrorist organization,” Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:

“The Kremlin has been relentless in its persecution of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and his supporters. Its campaign of repression led to Navalny’s death in custody in February 2024, the banning of organizations he founded, and the exile and criminal prosecution of their activists and staff. Still unsatisfied, the Kremlin is now determined to deliver a final, fatal blow. This move is not just about dismantling Navalny’s legacy but crushing any pockets of dissent left in the country.

“The “terrorist” designation would expose anyone associated with ACF (FBK in Russian) or Aleksei Navalny to criminal prosecution with the harshest penalties, including up to life in prison. FBK once stood at the very centre of civic life in Russia, supported by tens of thousands country-wide; this decision could unleash a floodgate of mass reprisals.

The “terrorist” designation would expose anyone associated with ACF or Aleksei Navalny to criminal prosecution with the harshest penalties, including up to life in prison

Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

“The Prosecutor General must immediately withdraw its unlawful petition and end the misuse of anti-“terrorism,” and other legislation to crush dissent. The Russian authorities must also lift the ban on ACF, stop persecuting people for alleged association with it, and ensure a transparent and effective investigation into the death of Aleksei Navalny conducted by independent and impartial international experts.”

Background

On 22 October 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office petitioned the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to recognize the US-registered ACF Inc. (Anti-Corruption Foundation, the legal successor of the banned Russia-based FBK) as a “terrorist organization” under Russia’s broad anti-“terrorism” laws. The hearing is scheduled for 27 November and will take place behind closed doors. It will be presided by the same judge who previously banned the non-existent “international LGBT movement” and “international satanism movement” on the grounds of “extremism.”

Just last week members of the Anti-War Committee, established by exiled opposition activists, were charged with “terrorism”-related offences.

The post Russia: Move to label Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation a “terrorist organization” puts thousands in danger appeared first on Amnesty International.