Carlos University said that Ms. Gutiérrez was part of the Educators for Peace project to build the curriculum
for teachers at all levels in support of peace.13
40.
Ms. Gutiérrez was also a key figure in preparing a report on illegal adoptions in
Guatemala,14which identified a network of lawyers and members of the military.15 That report was a source of
information for the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography, who visited Guatemala in 1999, and in his later report issued in January 2000, which attracted
considerable publicity.16 According to press reports, Ms. Gutiérrez supported the Unión de Izquierda
Democrática political party.17
41.
The Commission notes that in its report the Rapporteur indicated that "all elements of the
mandate (...), the sale of children, in particular, is of concern in Guatemala".18 She argued that "the internal
situation in Guatemala, especially extreme poverty, high birth rate, and the lack of effective control and
monitoring of adoption procedures, favored this trade, and demand increased further in 1997".19 She added
that "currently, the rate of adoptions of Guatemala is very high"20 and that "some notaries and lawyers buy
children while still in the womb".21
42.
According to information provided by family members of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez, during
the armed conflict in Guatemala, her brother, Julio Gutiérrez Hernández, who also worked as a lecturer at San
Carlos University and was a member of the Guerrilla Army of the Poor (Ejército Guerrillero de los Pobres), was
a victim of forced disappearance in 1982 and his whereabouts have never been determined.22 The family also
informed that Brenda Mercedes Gutiérrez, sister of the alleged victim and a student at the same university,
was also a victim of forced disappearance in 1985.23 They reported that prior to her disappearance, Brenda
Gutiérrez had belonged to a student association and was purportedly a member of the so-called People in
Arms Organization (Organización del Pueblo en Armas).24
13 Annex 7. Nadie entiende su desaparición, article published in El Periódico newspaper, May 9, 2000. Enclosed with the
petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
14 Annex 5. Amnesty International press release, Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez, May 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief
received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
15 Annex 8.¿Qué pasó con Mayra? article published in Prensa Libre newspaper, May 18, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners'
brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
16 Annex 5. Amnesty International press release, Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez, May 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief
received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
17 Annex 8.¿Qué pasó con Mayra? article published in Prensa Libre newspaper, May 18, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners'
brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
18 Annex 9. UN, Joint report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Mrs.
Ofelia Calcetas Santos. Report on the mission in Guatemala. January 27, 2000, par. 11. Available at: http://daccess-ddsny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G00/104/20/PDF/G0010420.pdf?OpenElement
19 Annex 9. UN, Joint report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Mrs.
Ofelia Calcetas Santos. Report on the mission in Guatemala. January 27, 2000, par. 11. Available at: http://daccess-ddsny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G00/104/20/PDF/G0010420.pdf?OpenElement
20 Annex 9. UN, Joint report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Mrs.
Ofelia Calcetas Santos. Report on the mission in Guatemala. January 27, 2000, par. 12. Available at: http://daccess-ddsny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G00/104/20/PDF/G0010420.pdf?OpenElement
21 Annex 9. UN, Joint report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Mrs.
Ofelia Calcetas Santos. Report on the mission in Guatemala. January 27, 2000, par. 33. Available at: http://daccess-ddsny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G00/104/20/PDF/G0010420.pdf?OpenElement
22 Annex 10. Official letter from the Human Rights Ombudsman, July 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by
the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
23 Annex 10. Official letter from the Human Rights Ombudsman, July 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by
the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
24 Annex 10. Official letter from the Human Rights Ombudsman, July 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by
the IACHR on October 30, 2000.
7