The Massacre of Innocent Civilians at Dos Erres and Justice in Guatemala

In 1982, the Guatemalan military massacred the villagers of Dos Erres, killing more than 200 people. It murdered innocent villagers and fellow citizens. Young girls and women were raped and then the villagers were lined up at the village well, blindfolded, and then soldiers would hit them in the back of the head with sledge hammers. Their bodies were pushed into the well until it was completely full. Two young boys were abducted by soldiers. Thirty years later, a Guatemalan living in the US got a phone call from a woman who told him that he was one of the two boys that had been abducted during the massacre.

Two of the soldiers that were involved in the massacre have been tried for their crimes and found guilty. Other military and political leaders are under investigation now. “I was simply following orders” is not a valid defense for those committing the horrible crimes. Read the complete story at -- http://www.propublica.org/article/finding-oscar-massacre-memory-and-justice-in-guatemala

The story will be available on podcast after Sunday, May 27^th at -- http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/465/what-happened-at-dos-erres

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