Transgender in Guatemala: violence, police harassment and impunity

[SandraJane]

Transgender in Guatemala: violence, police harassment and impunity



Posted by KCs: Latin America | Original article by Carlos Romero Prieto for Corresponsales Clave | May 30, 2012


http://blog.aidsalliance.org/2012/05/transgender-in-guatemala-violence-police-harassment-and-impunity/


The transgender community in Guatemala, along with the stigma and discrimination associated with their gender identity, are facing murders, violence in all its many forms, forced disappearances and even extrajudicial executions.

About two years ago, a transgender sex worker named Katherine Michelle disappeared. There is still not the slightest clue as to her whereabouts, despite the case being taken up by the Human Rights Office, which carried out search operations nationwide. A few months ago, three transgender girls were kidnapped in their own neighborhood, and turned up some days later bearing severe marks of torture and mutilation. The case received no more than the usual sensationalist coverage from some press and media, and local protest groups could not get any more involved in the follow up because of the danger implicit in pointing out the alleged perpetrators, who are linked to gangs and extortion networks.