So far this year in Guatemala 13 transgendered people have been murdered and a 20 year old transgender person is missing.

Johana Ramirez, a leader of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Transgender People (Redlactrans), was the victim of attempted murder.

Ramirez said:
“We’re really afraid of the national civil police and the public ministry, because of their direct actions towards us, and the things we have seen.

"There have been human rights violations by security staff and uniformed persons. People who hold power in our country.”

Kenia Mayli, Jessica Andreina and Sabrina Cajas were murdered last year between late October and early November. These hate crimes led members of Redlactrans and local organisation Reinas de la Noche (Queens of the Night) to mobilise.

They publicised the hate crimes in the media and participated in a national demonstration to stop violence against women.

According to Ramirez:
“As a result of those actions there were more attacks, more threats. I was attacked and someone tried to kill me."

Transgender organisations have gone to the Office of Human Rights to denounce and publicise these hate crimes, and they are preparing to exert pressure at international level through the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.