“Rita” is not just a movie, but a cry for justice

March 8, 2017, in addition to being International Women’s Day, is remembered in Guatemala for this great tragedy. Since then, only some of those responsible have been brought to justice, while others, such as former President Jimmy Morales, remain at large, frankly and brazenly denying their responsibility in this and other crimes.

It is a crime to lock 56 girls in a room of 40.7 square meters, less than one square meter per person, and without a bathroom.…

March 8, 2017, in addition to being International Women’s Day, is remembered in Guatemala for this great tragedy. Since then, only some of those responsible have been brought to justice, while others, such as former President Jimmy Morales, remain at large, frankly and brazenly denying their responsibility in this and other crimes.

It is a crime to lock 56 girls in a room of 40.7 square meters, less than one square meter per person, without a bathroom. But locking them up, suffocating them and burning them alive even after the fire broke out, shows the corrupt character and barbarity of the murderer.

Those responsible tried to cover up by claiming it was an act of desperation in the face of the riots and mass jailbreak that had occurred the day before, attempting to paint the detained minors as antisocial and violent criminals. But what these criminals are hiding is that despite the many personal and social problems incarcerated minors suffer, there have been reports of serious abuse of minors at the center since 2013, including prostitution and trafficking networks. At least nine of the fire survivors were pregnant.

(frasepzp1)

Only by understanding the seriousness of these complaints, including the detailed report of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman (PDH) of 2 November 2016, can one come close to understanding that the riots of 7 March 2017 constituted a desperate act of protest, of demands. Part of the charge against the authorities is negligence, of not taking action to address these problems. But beyond that, there is also the possibility that the purpose of locking up these girls, even as they were burned alive, was not simply to cover up negligence; it could be to prevent them from publicly confirming what the police department had already condemned.

Why did the authorities show fear and desperation at the mass exodus of minors? Were they afraid that they would be able to speak to the media, the PDH, human rights organizations, or other institutions that would be able to file public complaints? The facts show that then-President Jimmy Morales learned of the incident and certainly authorized the police operation, which was not just to recapture, but to hunt down the fleeing minors.

Reports say the girls have been subjected to brutality, violence and contempt by police forces and central authorities. What have they suffered, what do the girls know that might be exposed if they speak out in public, and why are the authorities controlling and isolating these girls?

Recently, the film “Rita” by Guatemalan director Jairo Bustamante is being shown in theaters. It uses magic, mystery, fiction and other film materials to tell the story from the perspective of the victimized girls, making us painfully remember that they are just such girls who, despite the hard life and deep wounds, still have dreams and fantasies. Bustamante succeeds because her film awakens very strong emotions, and it will not let us forget that those girls once longed to live and longed to fly like angels with wings.

Look at Rita and remember the hint at the beginning that, despite being full of fantasy, magic and mysticism, it is inspired by real events. Perhaps this art form will help us understand and accept the severity of the tragedy of our missing 41 girls. A little closer to the dream you may have.