Dresses of white and purple and with banners carried Melisa Palacios They traveled from Zacapa Even the capital to demand justice. While, in Quetzaltenango Another manifestation was also made.
The mobilization in the city began in the OBELICO SQUARE And he concluded in front of the Human Rights Square, where they could not enter by locks placed on the doors.
The march aimed to denounce alleged irregularities that, according to the protesters, have marked the case from the beginning. Melisa Palacios It disappeared on July 4, 2021 in San Jorge, Zacapa, and a day later was located lifeless, with multiple blows to the head, suggesting that he was the victim of an attack.
In front of the Supreme Court of Justicethey made a peaceful demonstration in which they requested that the criminal process against María Fernanda Bonilla be transferred to a court of greater risk.
“We do not want the impunity that has occurred in the East, in Zacapa and Chiquimula where the murderers have benefited, that the case is transferred here to the capital to a court of greater impact since we have encountered a corrupt system such as those courts, “said the uncle of Melisa, Mynor Chacón.
“We have encountered a monster, as has been in Zacapa and Chiquimula. The family of Melisa and friends came here to ask them that this case be transferred immediately here to the capital city, a court of greatest risk, no more, “he cried out in the midst of mobilization.
“Here the money commands, and that is why we are on the march to demand justice, so we are on the fly in case one day passes me that people accompany my mother, because we are not exempt. The power bought justice, and therefore I am here, that they do their job, to remember the oath they did. It is justice, no justice for people with money and the corrupt, it is justice for everyone,” said Jenifer add to the march.
He also questioned the participation of sectors that come to manifest on Women’s Day, but this time they did not support.
“I wish at some point we join together, especially the companions who were 8m, here I would like us to be, the hundreds of blocks and I know that there are manifestations in other ways, through social networks, but this is a very good way to support a mother,” he concluded.
Friends, university companions and people who without knowing the family also joined the walk. In some banners read “justice for Melisa Palacios“,” All for Melisa “,” Today I am the voice of that friend who asked that you will not hurt her “and” today I am the voice of Melisa “, among others.
They remembered Melisa as a “loyal friend, helpful, dedicated student, hard, smiling and the heart of the family.”
“We are not only for her, we are for all the women of Zacapa And from Guatemala, “said a partner from the University of Balmwhich assured the process has had “too many delays” to benefit only the defendants.
“Just justice is done, today she is but tomorrow can be others, it can be my daughter, mom or sister,” said another of the attendees.
Daniela Palacios, Melisa’s sister, reported that they seek that the case be known in a court in the capital, because, in her opinion, in Zacapa and Chiquimula It has not been given the importance it deserves
He added that, during the last four years, his family has faced complicated scenarios, because the process for the death of his sister has found several obstacles.
March in Quetzaltenango
In the central park of Quetzaltenango A march was also made by Melisa Palacios and women victims of violence.
There also dressed as purple, mostly women, marched from Japan square to the Central Park of Xela to sympathize with the family; In addition, they requested justice for Susana Castillo, who claim that he is a victim of violence by his ex -partner.
A process marked by controversial decisions
In 2021, a court modified the typification of the crime accused of Bonilla, by changing the position of murder by Homicide in a state of violent emotion. To your bodyguard, José Luis Marroquín Ovallehe was syndicated by his own cover -up. The resolution caused rejection by family and human rights organizations.
Since then, there has been a constant legal pulse between the defense of the uniones, the judges of the case and the institutions that represent the victim, such as the Public Ministry and the Victim Institutewho have insisted on transferring the file to a court of Greater risk.
“The court had indicated a hearing for September 5, 2024, but according to the complaint filed, the negotiations carried out by Flor de María Bonilla with the judges would have allowed it to be reprogrammed for October, when the judges of that turn could favor the accused,” says the prosecution’s file.
Current state of the process
The case is still in the intermediate stage. According to Juan Carlos Aquil, lawyer Victim Institutethere are foundations for the change of court: the three judges currently in charge of the process They have already known previous phases of the same, including an audience in which the defendants tried to take advantage of an acceptance procedure, and then retract.
“Justice has been slow and unfair. What we ask is not revengeit is a process impartial”, Said an aunt of Balm During the demonstration, between posters they asked “Justice without privileges“And” not one more. “
Family members reiterated that They will not cease in your fight until the case progresses without more delays and under a court that guarantees transparency and impartiality.