Inter-American Court condemns the murder of social activist in Guatemala.

On 16th July 2021, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemned the assassination of Frank Stalyn Ramazzini, a social activist and communicator, on 9th July 2021 in Guatemala. In the name of the IACHR, he urged the State of Guatemala to fulfil its obligations to effectively and impartially investigate this crime, clarify its motives, and judicially determine the relationship it may have to Mr Ramazzini professional activity. Mr Ramazzini and other three people were victims of an armed attack while he was spending time in a night bar in Guatemala City. In addition to his job as a defender of the labour rights of the agents of the National Civil Police, he also used his social media accounts to publicize critics against the local government and spread information about cases involving corruption crimes in the country. Mr Ramazzini had already been a victim of two other attacks. In 2018, the Guatemalan Human Rights Ombudsman demanded the Ministry of the Interior to guarantee his life, after being the object of an armed attack in which he was wounded by gunshots. The assassination of Mr Ramazzini is part of a widespread repression against the freedom of expression in the country. In its annual report, the Special Rapporteur stressed that people in Guatemala were being victims of an increase in attacks, acts of harassment, stigmatizing statements, and criminalization against communicators. Besides, the report has drawn attention to the high levels of impunity that exist with respect to crimes against freedom of expression in the country. For further information, please visit: https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/expression/showarticle.asp?lID=1&artID=1204