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   Nicolas Lucas, a Mayan priest, is a remarkable man. Nicolas lost his family during Guatemala’s devastating 36-year conflict, when more than 200,000 people were killed or "disappeared". However, despite his personal tragedy and the fact that many Mayan priests were persecuted, Nicolas never stopped practicing his religion.Now in his sixties, Nicolas still gets up at 5 a.m. each day to exercise before going to work. But at 2 a.m. he can often be found hiking up a mountain to a cave where Mayan ceremonies are performed. In 1994, to help end the political violence plaguing Guatemala, the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), deployed human rights monitors, legal experts, indigenous specialists and police around the country — even in the most remote areas. Finally, the longest conflict in Latin America ended in December 1996, when the Government and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) signed a peace agreement. Today, the UN is still working to protect the rights of all Guatemalans, including indigenous people like Nicolas. MINUGUA, which monitors compliance with the peace agreement, brought Mayan organizations and the government together to discuss the administration of sacred places, the right of Mayans to practice their religion and the government’s role in ending discrimination. Historically, indigenous people around the world have struggled to have their concerns heard by governments and the international community. Now, for the first time, indigenous representatives can speak on behalf of their people at a new United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. FIND OUT MORE about how the UN works to protect all our human rights. Go to the links next to Nicolas to learn about UN treaties and conventions which protect those rights and the mandate of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. ADDITIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STORIES: Francis' people recover Photo credit: Mischa Prince |
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