Human Rights – 1997

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Human Rights – 1997

1997

Intermediate Implementation Intermediate implementation

The Agreement on a Firm and Lasting Peace (Guatemala City, 29 December 1996) brought a formal end to a horrendous armed conflict, which the Commission for Historical Clarification later determined included acts of genocide perpetrated by the Guatemalan Government against indigenous Mayan populations (See Guatemala: Memory of Silence, 25 February 1999). The mandates of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights (Mexico City, 19 March 1994) notwithstanding, the implementation of the ceasefire, including the demobilization of the URNG combatants and a large portion of the Guatemalan Armed Forces, marked the single greatest improvement the human rights situation in Guatemala. Nevertheless, the imperative throughout the remainder of the peace process was to reform the social and political structures that allowed such violations to occur, as they did not instantly change with the signing of the agreements.

The death penalty was reinstated after being abolished years earlier.1

With the formal end of the armed conflict, the main human rights concerns shifted from issues related to the right to life to issues related to the right to due process. Weak protection for the right to the integrity of person remained an additional matter of concern.2 The responsibility for these shortcomings fell mostly on the National Police.3

The Armed Forces promptly began internal reviews, including the dismissal of personnel implicated in human rights violations.4

The Government generally upheld its commitment to respect and protect the independent judiciary, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office in turn grew stronger and more efficient. The Government did not give the Office of the Counsel for Human Rights nearly as much money in the budget as it requested, leading to suspended operations in several departmental auxiliary offices.5

  1. “Thirteenth Report on Human Rights of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala,” United Nations General Assembly (A/57/336), August 22, 2002.
  2. “Sixth Report of the Director of the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Commitments of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights on Guatemala,” United Nations General Assembly (A/51/790), January 31, 1997.
  3. “Seventh Report on Human Rights of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala,” United Nations General Assembly (A/52/330), September 10, 1997.
  4. “Sixth Report of the Director of the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Commitments of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights on Guatemala,” United Nations General Assembly (A/51/790), January 31, 1997.
  5. “Seventh Report on Human Rights of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala,” United Nations General Assembly (A/52/330), September 10, 1997.