The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize last month to Guatemalan human rights activist Rigoberta Menchu promises to shine a spotlight on the violent repression by the army and military-supported "civilian patrols," whose "scorched earth" policy over the last three decades has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. Most of the victims of the violence have been Indians, who make up more than 60 percent of Guatemala's population.
Menchu's prize is "important as an acknowledgment of the incredible suffering of the indigenous people of Guatemala," Anne Manuel of Americas Watch told Sojourners. Both of Menchu's parents and her brother were killed by the Guatemalan military. "Her individual tragedy," Manuel said, "is so typical of what the people of Guatemala, especially the Quiche Indians, have suffered at the hands of the army - not 500 years ago, but in the last three decades."
Perhaps the most important result of the Nobel committee's decision was reflected in the celebrations held throughout Guatemala the day after Menchu's prize was announced. Thousands of Indians marched through Guatemala City, overshadowing the official ceremonies earlier in the week marking the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas. The chair of the awards committee said it was "not a coincidence" that an Indian was chosen for the honor in the Columbus anniversary year, but that it was "not the only factor."
The joyful festivity by Indians and others gave hope to some that the blanket of fear by which the army has controlled the people might at long last be lifted. The celebrations gave indication that the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize "has the possibility of being a watershed event in the history of Guatemala," Manuel said.
Activists in North America have not paid as much attention to the sufferings of Guatemala as they have to other Central American countries, especially El Salvador and Nicaragua. Human rights supporters hope the attention given Menchu's prize will help to raise awareness and solidarity among people throughout the Americas.
"When we are able to hear each other and respect each other, then we can move into solidarity one with the other," Menchu told Sojourners in an interview last year (see "A Proud Part of This Moment," October 1991). "Above all, we need to respect each other. Then we would do much to change the world."
Jim Rice is editor of Sojourners. Brigitte Kerpsack assisted with research.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!