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On June 30, 2014, Marcelino Moscut, a Mayan Poqomam political leader and Indigenous rights activist, passed away in Palin, Escuintla. Marcelino began his work within Indigenous movements at the young age of 15. He observed the discrimination and division the Poqomam people suffered due to a long history of colonization. His work expanded to include the fight for fair treatment of Indigenous people and the fight for the freedom of expression for Indigenous communities through the media. He was the president of the Commission for the Implementation of the Peace Accords (CENAP) and one of the founders, as well as ex-president, of the Academy of Mayan Languages of Guatemala.
Marcelino’s passion for restoring the language, traditional clothing and culture of the Poqomam community led him to found the Qawinaqel Education Center of Palin and the Qawinaqel Community Radio of Palin. The education center is a school for primarily Poqomam students, which was built to support young students facing discrimination at public schools because of their indigenous origins. The education center teaches vital indigenous values like respect, tradition, weaving and the importance of wearing the traditional clothes. Marcelino’s goal with the community radio was to educate and unify the various areas of the Poqomam community. He quickly realized the limitations that indigenous community radios face in Guatemala and decided to fight for change from the political root. From 2004-2005 he served as a member of Congress in Guatemala. During that year he strongly pushed the 3142 bill that asked to incorporate Indigenous Community Radios within the legal framework of the country.
On March 15, 2013, Marcelino went to Washington DC to participate in the general character hearing of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (CIDH) where he reported the illegal criminalization of community radio leaders and volunteers. He fought and defended the community radio movement in Guatemala for over 18 years the and his final years were spent promoting initiative 4087, the community media and communications law that would legalize community radio.
The community of Palin, Escuintla and the national community radio network mourn the loss of a legendary leader. Marcelino is being mourned by his family, friends and coworkers at his local residence today, Tuesday July 1. A small procession, with stops at Qawinaqel Education Center and Qawinaqel Community Radio, will take place tomorrow at 9am before his body is taken to its final resting place. May he rest in peace knowing that his legacy will continue to expand through a new generation of community leaders who have been inspired by his work.
