Blog of Stacy Ciulik, SI Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, UN Women organized a high-level side event, “Gender Transformative Access to Justice: The Sepur Zarco Case”, which took place on 25 September 2024 in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Guatemala and was supported by the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation.
The Sepur Zarco case set a precedent for transformative gender justice as it was the first case where a national court prosecuted sexual slavery as a crime against humanity. Fifteen grandmothers who had been victims of enslavement and sexual violence during Guatemala’s civil war, successfully brought their case to court which resulted in a historic sentencing that ordered transformative reparations for victims, survivors, and their communities. For the Grandmothers, justice includes education for the children of their community, access to land, and a healthcare clinic.
Through many dialogues and training from local women’s rights organisations, UN Women and other UN partners, the Grandmothers overcame fear, silence and isolation from the prevailing stigmas to speak up about the sexual slavery they experienced. In their own communities they had been shunned and called prostitutes. Not only deadly, a legacy of violence against women had been left behind by Guatemala’s civil war. The organised approach by the Grandmothers led to one of the first instances of a domestic court prosecuting sexual slavery as an international crime.
The Grandmothers formed the Jalok U’ Collective to gather survivors of sexual violence and armed conflict from Sepur Zarco and surrounding communities. The Grandmothers are committed to continue fighting for women and against sexual violence. They wish to strengthen global advocacy for gender justice and transformative reparations.
This significant event included the panellists:
The Maya Q’eqchi’ Grandmothers of Sepur Zarco (“abuelas”: Q’ana Demecia Yat and Q’ana Carmen Xol of Colectiva Jalok U’), shared their story of enslavement and sexual violence at the hands of the military during Guatemala’s civil war. Q’Ana Carmen Xol called upon all women to raise their voices together to achieve justice. Q’Ana Demecia Yat, president of the Jalok U’ Collective, came to Geneva to tell the story of the Grandmothers as they are elderly women who dream of active justice. She spoke strongly about the importance of raising our voices: “Break the silence”, “It is time to speak up”. She expressed deep gratitude for the global support the Grandmothers have received, as they do not speak the Spanish language and are dependent on others.
- Ambassador Michèle Taylor from the United States Mission to the UN Human Rights Council, a champion for justice, moderated the event.
- Ángela María Chávez Bietti, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations in Geneva, spoke of the Sepur Zarco case as it represents the many struggles of women in conflict areas.
- Ambassador Samuel Saffa, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN in Geneva, described Sierra Leone’s efforts in providing post-war reparations.
- Adriana Quinones, Head of Human Rights and Development at the UN Women Geneva Office, highlighted the systematic approach to injustice the Grandmothers developed. She commended the grandmothers on redesigning justice, which will be transformative for future generations.
- Clara Cabrera Brasero, Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain in Geneva.
- The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Gloria Carrera Masana, UN Women Country Office in Guatemala, provided closing remarks. She commended the Grandmothers on their peace and security agenda and emphasised the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Concluding Thoughts and Further Reading
The landmark Sepur Zarco case stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of the Maya Q’eqchi’ Grandmothers, who transformed their experiences into a call for justice. Their journey not only set a legal precedent but also reshaped the conversation around gender-based violence and reparations. The Grandmothers’ fight for education, land rights, and healthcare for their communities illustrates the lasting impact of transformative justice. As they continue to raise their voices, they remind the world that justice goes beyond punishment—it’s about restoring dignity and creating a future where such atrocities can never happen again.
Learn more about the Sepur Zarco Grandmothers.