Maria Josefina Caal Xol

Environmental Human Rights Defenders

Maria Josefina Caal is the sister of Bernardo Caal Xol, a Maya Q’eqchi’ teacher, and trade unionist who is an Amnesty prisoner of conscience in jail in Guatemala. Bernardo and Maria are part of a peaceful struggle by communities seeking to protect the Cahabón River from big dam projects that violate indigenous rights, affect fish stocks and limit Indigenous communities’ access to water.