the environment faced vilification and attempts to cast them as criminals, both by officials in their public statements and by private individuals, as well as through baseless criminal proceedings.4 The prosecution of human rights defender Daniel Pascual on criminal charges of slander, libel and defamation continued during the year. The charges were linked to public statements he had made in 2013. The judge ignored the defendant’s petition that the case be dealt with under the Constitutional Law on the Expression of Thought and not through ordinary criminal proceedings. On 7 June, the Constitutional Court granted an interim injunction that temporarily suspended proceedings against Daniel Pascual. In early 2016, a well-known human rights defender received death threats against herself and her children. Threats against the defender coincided with the publication in a newspaper of a paid advertisement on 6 April in which the president of a private company alleged that the purpose of human rights NGOs was to stop economic development, calling them enemies of the country. On 22 July, High-Risk Court A in Guatemala City acquitted seven defenders of the rights of the Indigenous Maya Q’anjobal People. They had been accused of illegal detention, threats and incitement to commit a crime. By the time they were released, they had spent more than a year in pre-trial detention. REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS For decades, Guatemalans have migrated to the USA via Mexico in an effort to escape the high levels of inequality and violence affecting marginalized groups, including Indigenous Peoples, in the country. Over the past five years, large numbers have been forcibly returned to Guatemala. However, no comprehensive mechanism or protocol had been put in place to address the needs of returnees. According to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, between January and August, 11,536 Guatemalans sought asylum in other countries. In September, the 174 Congress approved a new Migration Code to replace the existing outdated migration law.5 LAND DISPUTES In February, the Supreme Court temporarily suspended the operating licence for El Tambor mine in a judgment concerning the failure to carry out prior consultation. The Ministry of Energy and Mines stated that the licence had already been granted and so could not be suspended. As a result, from March onwards the community held sit-ins at the headquarters of the Ministry of Energy and Mines calling for the interim relief granted by the Supreme Court to be enforced. At the end of June, the Supreme Court upheld its previous decision in a definitive manner. 1. Guatemala: Shameful decision to postpone Ríos Montt trial a new stain on Guatemala’s justice system (News story, 11 January) 2. Guatemala: Conviction of military in sexual abuse case, a historic victory for justice (Press release, 26 February) 3. Guatemala: Decision to take Creompaz case to trial an advance for justice (AMR 34/4218/2016) 4. Americas: “We are defending the land with our blood”: Defenders of the land, territory and environment in Honduras and Guatemala (AMR 01/4562/2016) 5. Americas: Home sweet home? Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador’s role in a deepening refugee crisis (AMR 01/4865/2016) GUINEA Republic of Guinea Head of state: Alpha Condé Head of government: Mamady Youla The security forces used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and harassed people expressing dissent. Torture and other ill-treatment were reported. The security forces continued to enjoy impunity for human rights violations. The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes. Early and enforced marriage was criminalized. Amnesty International Report 2016/17