Telma Iris Pérez
Telma Iris Pérez is an indigenous Mayan Ch'orti' woman human rights defender, working for the rights of her community and the restitution of the land of the Ch'orti' people. She is a member of Red de sanadoras del feminismo comuniatario Iximulew (Network of healers of communitarian feminism Iximulew), dedicated to supporting women human rights defenders facing criminal proceedings and violence, and promoting healing processes and solidarity networks. The network is currently involved in demanding justice for the case of the at least 41 girls killed in Guatemala youth home "Hogar Seguro" on 8 March 2017.
Since Otto Pérez Molina assumed the role of President in January 2012, cases of harassment and threats against HRDs have been on the rise. Human rights defenders (HRDs) in Guatemala are subjected to death threats, physical attacks, acts of harassment, surveillance, stigmatisation, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, forced disappearance and killings. Many of the violations are carried out by clandestine security structures and illegal groups. The exceptionally high level of impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators increases the risk exponentially for HRDs.
