c. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process

For the past two decades Guatemalan politics have been
dominated by the military within a constitutional
framework providing for regular elections and civilian
control below the top level. Some opposition parties
are permitted to function. The 1974 election pro-
cess was tainted by accusations of fraud. The incumbent
president has publicly promised a fair election

in March 1978. Candidates for Congress and president
may only be presented by duly inscribed political
parties (of which there are four at present), and
inscription of political parties has traditionally
been an arduous and protracted process. The electoral
registry is headed by a government appointee.

Despite a long waiting list, no new parties have been inscribed in recent years. The Communist Party is illegal.

4.

Government Attitude and Record Regarding International.
and Non-Governmental Investigation of Alleged
Violations of Human Rights

No reports have been received of any requests made
to the Government of Guatemala for human rights in-
vestigations by external groups. The American
Convention on Human Rights has gone to the Guatemalan
Congress for ratification. The Guatemalan Government
has supported the creation of a post of UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights.

GUYANA

Guyana is a democratic country with a parliamentary system on the British model. Since the early 1960s Guyana, led by Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, has followed an avowedly socialist path toward political and social development. The country and its present leaders remain rooted in the Anglo-Saxon tradition of respect for individual rights and of observance of the principles of law. Elections are held every five years and are contested by various political parties. The next elections are scheduled for the fall of 1978.

The racial composition of the population (53% East
Indian and 42% Black) has created strains within
the Guyanese political and social structure. However,
the Government has voiced its full support for the
protection of human rights and has condemned violations.
Reports of discrimination against the East Indian popula-
tion have surfaced in recent years, but so far there has
been no substantial evidence to support them.

1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from:

a. Torture

There is no evidence that torture has been used.

b. Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment

There are no reports of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

There are no indications of arbitrary arrest or imprisonment.

d. Denial of Fair Public Trial

There are no reports of denial of fair public trial.
However, Amnesty International in November 1977 sent
to Guyana a representative to attend the trial of a
Guyanese accused of killing a policeman. The Opposition

22-145 O - 78 - 12

Party, the People's Progressive Party, charged that the trial was politically inspired and that it amounted to political persecution against one of its members. In December 1977, after a third trial, the accused was found not guilty by the jury and released.

e. Invasion of the Home

There are few reports of invasion of the home. Some homes have been searched for contraband without a warrant.

2.

Governmental Policies Relating to the Fulfillment of
Such Vital Needs as Food, Shelter, Health Care and
Education

The Government is conscious of the basic needs of its population and is striving to meet them within the limits of the resources available. Some East Indian Guyanese claim that the present Black leadership of Guyana gives preference to the Black population in such areas as low cost housing and Government jobs. However, East Indian rice farmers have been principal beneficiaries of the Government's agricultural policies. There is little evidence to substantiate reports of corruption to the benefit of the nation's political rulers and the Black minority.

3. Respect for Civil and Political Liberties, Including:

a. Freedom of Thought, Speech, Press, Religion, and Assembly

The Government of Guyana has partial control of the media. It owns one radio station (there is no TV in Guyana) and two of the three daily newspapers and one of two leading weeklies. The Government owned media reflect Government policies faithfully. The opposition papers--one daily published by the Opposition Party, the Peoples Progressive Party, and the weekly Catholic Standard by the Catholic church -engage in uninhibited and consistent criticism of the

Government. During 1975 and 1976 these newspapers occasionally were hampered by Government restraints on import of newsprint and equipment, but in 1977 there were no indications that the Government prevented them from obtaining supplies. At an October 1977 meeting of the Inter-American Press Association, several speakers stated that there is "grave danger to the freedom of the press in Guyana" because of Government interference. This allegation was strongly denied by the Government.

There are no reports of interference in the right
of assembly or religious affiliation. During 1976
the Government assumed financial and management
responsibility for all educational institutions in
Guyana, including those run by the various churches.

b. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel and Emigration

In Guyana there is no restriction on travel within or without the country nor is there any obstacle to emigration. The only exception applies to certain disputed border areas over which Venezuela and Surinam make claims.

c. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process In the general elections of 1968 and 1973 charges of fraud and rigging were widespread. Although those making these charges have been unable to substantiate their allegations in court, it is widely believed that fraud and rigging were practiced. The Opposition Party alleges publicly that because of this fraud and rigging it is inadequately represented in the Parliament. The Government rejects these allegations.

4.

Government Attitude and Record Regarding Inter-
national and Non-Governmental Investigation

of Alleged Violations of Human Rights

The Government of Guyana permitted a November, 1977 visit by an Amnesty International representative, as noted under ld. Guyana is not a member of the OAS and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission has not visited

Guyana.

HAITI

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It has a long tradition of authoritarian rule. Human rights violations were widespread during the regime of the late Francois Duvalier in the 1960's. The present Government is led by President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier. Organized political opposition is not permitted. However, in 1977 the Government released a large number of political prisoners. The Government also adhered to the American Convention on Human Rights, and declared its intention to respect legal norms in the treatment of all future security offenders.

1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from:

a. Torture

Incidents of severe brutal treatment, verging on torture, have occurred in Haitian prisons in the recent past (see lb below), but torture does not appear to be practiced or condoned at present.

b. Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Brutality as opposed to deliberate torture has been used both as punishment for minor criminal infractions to extract confessions and to impose discipline in prison. This practice has been a part of the Haitian penal tradition. Several exile opponents of the Government released in September 1977 claim that torture and deplorable prison conditions continue unabated. Most prisoners released in 1977, however, report less frequent use of brutality. Stricter control over prison guards' conduct has apparently been instituted.

Sanitary conditions in prisons remain deficient but are being improved. The Fort Dimanche prison, which is reportedly being replaced by a modern facility, had

a very high rate of mortality. The new prison is reported to have adequate cells, a hospital, and a visitor's

room.

C.

Arbitrary Arrest or Imprisonment

During the 1960s arbitrary arrest and imprisonment were practiced on a large scale. Since the early 1970s President Jean-Claude Duvalier has proclaimed a policy of