LRWC joins 29 organizations condemning detention of Guatemalan lawyer Claudia González Orellana and calling for her immediate release
Claudia González was a representative for the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), committed to the fight against impunity of serious human rights violations and corruption. Despite experiencing ongoing harassment and threats owing to her work, Claudia has served as legal counsel for nine former colleagues from CICIG and other former prosecutors. On August 28, 2023, she was arrested and charged with the crime of abuse of authority. Claudia’s first hearing took place on September 6, despite the requirement under Guatemalan law that it should take place within 24 hours of the detention. The arrest is thought to be motivated by Claudia’s defence work in respect of former members of CICIG and the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity in Guatemala.
LRWC has joined with 29 organizations that are concerned about the high level of risks faced by human rights lawyers in Guatemala, to urge the Guatemalan authorities to immediately release Claudia and take all measures to guarantee the rights to due process, legal defence and access to justice in her case, and to guarantee that all lawyers in Guatemala are able to carry out their legitimate professional activities without fear of reprisals and free of all undue restrictions, including judicial harassment, arbitrary arrest, and deprivation of liberty.
The full letter is available here.
OIAD L4L Statement Claudia Gonzalez-EN VDef+logos
