Miguel Calel, aged about 18 years, was shot dead on 19 April 1991. His mother witnessed the killing but was unable to identify the assailants, as it was dark. She believes her son may have been killed by members of the Patrullas de Autodefensa Civil (PAC), Civil Defence Patrols. Miguel Calel was the son of Marcelina Calel, a member of the Consejo de Comunidades Etnicas “Runujel Junam” (CERJ), Council of ethnic communities “Runujel Junam”. He had been forcibly recruited into armed forces for military service in August 1990. In January 1991 he was exonerated from service, after his mother had applied for an exemption on the grounds that she is a widow. On leaving the military base, he was reportedly accused by a member of the armed forces of collaborating with the “guerillas”.
