Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of a physical assault on, and death threats against, human rights defender, Ms Juana Bacá Velasco between 30 March 2009 and 6 July 2009. Juana Bacá Velasco is the coordinator of La Red de Mujeres Ixhiles (Association of Ixhil Women), an organisation based in Nebaj which supports female victims of violence and works to empower women in the region.

On 6 July 2009, Juana Bacá Velasco received a phone call from an anonymous man who told her that he had been contracted by people from the town council to kill her. On 3 July 2009, a vehicle belonging to the Mayor of the town drove close to the home of Juana Bacá Velasco as she was standing outside speaking with friends. The people in the vehicle first shone the lights of the car on the face of one of Juana Bacá Velasco's friends in an intimidating manner and then left the scene firing 5 gunshots in the air.

On 30 March 2009, Juana Bacá Velasco was assaulted in the municipality building in Nebaj. Following this attack she was admitted to hospital for two days and nights to receive treatment for the injuries she had sustained. Since that date, Juana Bacá Velasco has been repeatedly threatened and intimidated, despite the protective measures provided by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Other members of the Association of Ixhil Women have also received threats and have been defamed.

Front Line believes that the threats against Juana Bacá Velasco are related to her legitimate work in the defence of human rights. Front Line is seriously concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Juana Bacá Velasco and, in light of these continued attacks, fears that the protection measures provided by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights may be insufficient.