Buenos Aires, Sep 16 (Prensa Latina) Nobel Peace laureate Rigoberta Menchu said today that after many long years of genocide during Guatemala''s armed conflict (1960-1996), the country is now in a difficult period, in which impunity still remains strong.
In an interview with Página 12 newspaper, the outstanding Mayan Guatemalan fighter said she does not believe the situation would last for only a few decades.
Though she also agreed that there has been a recovery in credibility, she believes that something has to happen so citizens will take individual responsibility. "Mayans or not, women or men, the most important thing is that we have an awareness of civic duty," she stated.
"I swore not to stay silent in the face of torture, forced disappearance, and barbarism. The indignation, the lack of ability to solve things led me to go to global agencies, the media, especially the Mexican media, which gave me the great opportunity to transcend along with my people, with the history of Guatemala," she said.
Menchú participated last week in the International Forum for Women's Rights, in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
