Myrna Mack facts for kids
Myrna Mack Chang (born October 24, 1949 – died September 11, 1990) was an anthropologist from Guatemala. An anthropologist is someone who studies human societies and cultures.
In 1990, she was killed by people in the Guatemalan military. This happened because she spoke out against the government. She criticized how the government treated the indigenous Maya people. She also spoke about human rights abuses against all people.
Her sister, Helen Mack, worked hard to get justice for Myrna. Myrna's killer was found guilty. Higher-level officials were also tried in important court cases. These cases happened at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Costa Rica. In 2004, the government of Guatemala said it was responsible for Myrna's death. They paid her family money as a settlement.
Myrna's Early Life and Studies
Myrna Mack Chang was born in Barrio San Nicolás, a town in the Retalhuleu area of southwest Guatemala. Her mother was Chinese and her father was Mayan. Myrna had a younger sister named Helen.
After going to local schools, Myrna went to college in the United Kingdom. She studied anthropology there. She attended both the University of Manchester and Durham University.
Myrna's Work and Activism
When Myrna returned to Guatemala, she started working with Maya farming communities. Many of these communities were forced to leave their homes. This happened during the Guatemalan Civil War. Myrna felt great sympathy for these people. She became a strong supporter of human rights.
As she worked closely with the indigenous people, she learned about attacks against them. These attacks were made by government forces.
On September 11, 1990, Myrna was killed outside her office. This happened in Guatemala City. She was killed because she had criticized the government. She spoke out about how the government violated the human rights of indigenous communities. Myrna was 40 years old when she died.
Her sister, mother, and friends decided to fight for justice. They wanted to find out who killed Myrna. After the Civil War ended, Guatemala began to record the wrongs that happened during the war. Helen Mack, Myrna's sister, took the case to court. She filed a case with the Inter-American Human Rights Commission. Later, it went to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Costa Rica.
In 1993, Helen started a group called the Fundación Myrna Mack. This foundation helps to support human rights work. On November 25, 2003, the court decided that government forces had killed Myrna. In April 2004, the Guatemalan government publicly said its agents had killed Myrna Mack. They gave her family money as part of the court agreement.
Myrna's sister, Helen, received an award in 1992. It was called the Right Livelihood Award. She got it for her bravery and for seeking justice. She continues to work for human rights today.
Myrna's Legacy
In 1993, Myrna's sister Helen Mack Chang created the Fundación Myrna Mack. This foundation honors Myrna's memory. It also works to get justice for Myrna's death. The foundation continues to defend human rights in Guatemala.
See also
In Spanish: Myrna Mack para niños
