20
conflict.”104 The Commission observes that the communication was addressed to Elena Valey, Juan
Juarez Ixpatá and Iginia Chen Valey, relatives of some of the alleged victims of the events that occurred
on January 8, 1982.
88.
The Commission also notes that one of the petitioners’ communications came with an
attachment containing a document dated May 5, 2010, prepared by a psychologist specialized in mental
health and human rights, Nieves Gómez. The document was titled “Report on the harm done to the
mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj
and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz.”105 The
specialist discussed the aftereffects caused by the events of January 8, 1982 and other events alleged by
the petitioners and that are part of the established facts.106 She wrote that as a member of the Team for
Community Studies and Psycho-Social Action – ECAP, interviews and meetings had been held with
various persons from the village of Chichupac and other communities since 2004.107
89.
She maintained that the community of Chichupac “was totally destroyed.” As a result,
the inhabitants were compelled to move to the mountains and other municipalities and were only able
to return and rebuild their community in 1985.108
90.
The specialist also indicated that it was not until 1985 that people began to return to the
community. With the help of the Family Integration Center, Father Melchor of the Rabinal church, and
some male community leaders who managed to survive the massacre, the people [were] able to rebuild
their community.109 She also maintained that the communities of Xeabaj, Toloxcoc and Chirrum “never
managed to attract their leaders back to rebuild their production plans, as they live elsewhere now.”110
91.
The specialist maintained that cultural practices were severely affected “by the
exclusion of and stigma attached to the Maya-Achí” in the years that followed the events in the present
104
Annex 11. Communications from the Constitutional President of the Republic, Álvaro Colam Caballeros, September
2008. Annex to the petitioners’ communication of March 19, 2010.
105
Annex 12. Report on the harm done to the mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous
communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz,
prepared by Nieves Gómez, dated May 5, 2010. Attachment to the petitioners’ communication of May 6, 2010.
106
Annex 12. Report on the harm done to the mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous
communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz,
prepared by Nieves Gómez, dated May 5, 2010. Attachment to the petitioners’ communication of May 6, 2010.
107
Annex 12. Report on the harm done to the mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous
communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz,
prepared by Nieves Gómez, dated May 5, 2010. Attachment to the petitioners’ communication of May 6, 2010.
108
Annex 12. Report on the harm done to the mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous
communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz,
prepared by Nieves Gómez, dated May 5, 2010. Attachment to the petitioners’ communication of May 6, 2010.
109
Annex 12. Report on the harm done to the mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous
communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz,
prepared by Nieves Gómez, dated May 5, 2010. Attachment to the petitioners’ communication of May 6, 2010.
110
Annex 12. Report on the harm done to the mental (moral) health of the inhabitants of the Maya Achí indigenous
communities of Chichupac, Xeabaj and other nearby communities in the municipality of Rabinal, department of Baja Verapaz,
prepared by Nieves Gómez, dated May 5, 2010. Attachment to the petitioners’ communication of May 6, 2010.