Letter to Minister Joly regarding Canada’s support for a free, just and democratic Guatemala

The Honourable Mélanie Joly

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Global Affairs Canada

125 Sussex Drive

Ottawa ON K1A 0G2

August 9, 2023

Dear Minister Joly,

I write to you urgently in advance of elections in Guatemala scheduled for August 20.

Canadians with ties to Guatemala have written to me to raise concerns about serious threats to Guatemala’s democracy, including troubling attempts to use the judicial system to exclude and threaten political candidates. The United Nations, the United States, the European Union and the OAS have expressed concern about electoral interference and political corruption.

Minister, as you know, rising authoritarianism is a problem in many countries, and Guatemala is no exception. What we have seen over the past several months is deeply troubling, and Canada must respond.

We are also concerned about human rights abuses, including attacks on journalists and human rights defenders working to protect the rights of women, girls, indigenous communities, and the LGBT community.

In advance of elections in Guatemala, we urge you, Minister, to state Canada’s clear objection to electoral tampering and democratic backsliding in Guatemala. We ask you to express Canada’s support for a free, just and democratic Guatemala, where the rights of all are respected and protected.

Thank you for your attention to this matter – and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Heather McPherson, M.P.

Edmonton Strathcona

Critic for Foreign Affairs

Critic for International Development