Preventive Penal Law Against Communism
Encyclopedia
The Preventive Penal Law Against Communism was a Guatemala
n decree
passed by the military junta
of Carlos Castillo Armas
on 24 August 1954. The decree was preceded by the formation of the National Committee of Defense Against Communism
. The Preventive Penal Law Against Communism officially prohibited any kind of communist activity and established a blacklist of active communists.
Around 70,000 Guatemalans engaging or suspected of engaging in communist activities were blacklist
ed under the law. Another 8,000 were arrested, and an estimated 8,000-10,000 were forced into exile. This decree was also used to suspend habeas corpus
.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
n decree
Decree
A decree is a rule of law issued by a head of state , according to certain procedures . It has the force of law...
passed by the military junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
of Carlos Castillo Armas
Carlos Castillo Armas
Carlos Castillo Armas was a Guatemalan Colonel who came to power in a CIA-orchestrated coup in 1954. He held the title of President of Guatemala from July 8, 1954 until his assassination in 1957.-The coup:...
on 24 August 1954. The decree was preceded by the formation of the National Committee of Defense Against Communism
National Committee of Defense Against Communism
The National Committee of Defense Against Communism, established on 19 July 1954, was a committee formed by Carlos Castillo at the request of the United States Central Intelligence Agency...
. The Preventive Penal Law Against Communism officially prohibited any kind of communist activity and established a blacklist of active communists.
Around 70,000 Guatemalans engaging or suspected of engaging in communist activities were blacklist
Blacklist
A blacklist is a list or register of entities who, for one reason or another, are being denied a particular privilege, service, mobility, access or recognition. As a verb, to blacklist can mean to deny someone work in a particular field, or to ostracize a person from a certain social circle...
ed under the law. Another 8,000 were arrested, and an estimated 8,000-10,000 were forced into exile. This decree was also used to suspend habeas corpus
Habeas corpus
is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...
.