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6:30 PM
JDH G1

The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS) and the ����������� Political Science Department are honoured to welcome Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez, one of Guatemala’s most respected jurists and defenders of judicial independence, for a public conversation on the challenges facing democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Guatemala today.

For more than two decades, Judge Gálvez served in Guatemala’s High-Risk Courts, where he presided over some of the country’s most significant cases involving corruption, organized crime, impunity, and grave human rights violations. His work helped advance accountability for crimes committed during Guatemala’s armed conflict, including proceedings against former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide, as well as investigations that led to the resignation and arrest of former President Otto Pérez Molina.

His commitment to justice came at great personal cost. Following years of threats, harassment, and political persecution linked to his judicial work, Judge Gálvez was forced into exile in 2022. Since then, he has become an internationally recognized voice for judicial independence and democratic accountability. In 2026, he received the Human Rights Award of the German Judges Association in recognition of his lifelong dedication to justice and the rule of law.

Join us for a timely discussion on the state of democracy in Guatemala, the ongoing struggle against impunity, and the resilience of those who continue to defend human rights in the face of adversity.