PBI-Guatemala accompanies Human Rights Law Firm at hearing for 21-year-old student accused of graffiti inside Congress building

On April 5, PBI-Guatemala posted:

“#PBI accompanies the Human Rights Law Firm in the first evidentiary hearing of the #DulceMaria case.

Dulce María is accused of violation of cultural property, for allegedly having participated in a graffiti of the Congress, carried out in the framework of the demonstrations of 21 November 2020, when the population mobilised against corruption and impunity, denouncing, among others, several members of Congress.”

Dulce Archila is a 21-year-old university student.

Dulce Archila: “The streets are ours, we are not afraid, we are still fighting.”

On April 4, Festivals Solidarios explained:

“Archila is accused of having made ‘graffiti’ in internal environments of the Congress of the Republic building in the demonstrations of November 21, 2020, for the approval of the 2021 budget.

In the hearing of first statement, on November 29, 2021, the Public Ministry (MP) presented images that give the perception that the young woman is the one who allegedly appears making graffiti.

The defense requested an indictment hearing on May 27, 2022. This hearing sought to ask the judge that the process be carried out for a fault and not for a crime.

During the end of 2022, the defense of Dulce Archila, lawyer Edgar Perez and lawyer Diana Elizabeth of the Human Rights Law Firm (BDH) presented a recall, this same to challenge judicial resolutions, which was not resolved and that the date is ignored during the process of Archila’s audiences.

On March 30, he scheduled the mid-stage hearing of the case against the artist and activist Dulce Archila, where the opening of the trial and coercive measure was announced.

In follow-up to the process, the judge mentioned that Archila “attacked and violently attacked the peace of Guatemalan citizens” for the alleged deterioration of the walls of the Congress of the Republic.

Even without having clear evidence from the Public Ministry, Judge Sonia Martínez Obregón sends Dulce to begin with oral and public trial for the alleged damage.”

On April 4, Ruda also reported: “Today, the judge accepted approximately forty of the evidence presented by the Public Ministry (MP) that may be used during the oral and public debate on May 10, 2023.”

Prensa Libre reports that Mayan Kaqchikel activist Nanci Sinto has also been linked to criminal proceedings for “depredation of cultural property” at the same protest on November 21, 2020. Plaza Publica adds: “Nanci Sinto acknowledged that she did write on the wall of the Legislature, but argues that she did not deteriorate it because what she wrote was removed the next day with soap and water.”

PBI-Guatemala has accompanied Édgar Pérez Archila since August 2010 and the Human Rights Law Firms since late 2013.