Amnesty – 2001

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In 2011, four soldiers were convicted and imprisoned for the massacre of 201 civilians in Dos Erres 1982.1

Amnesty – 1997

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The Government submitted a draft National Reconciliation Act to Congress, which included amnesty for certain political and other crimes committed by URNG members, in keeping with the agreements.2 Congress made the bill law on December 18. It gave “limited amnesty” to members of the Armed Forces and Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) for political crimes committed during the civil war, excluding acts of genocide, torture and disappearances.3

The Amnesty provision of the accord was implemented in 1996. Prosecution of those not covered by the Amnesty, however, was delayed.

Human Rights – 2006

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In spite of efforts to establish the office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights, the human rights situation remained a serious issue in Guatemala. According to Human Rights Report, Guatemala made little progress toward securing the protection of human rights and the rule of law.4

In 2008, Congress passed a bill giving the President the option to commute death sentences to life in prison. President Caballeros stated at first that he would not commute the sentences of 21 prisoners on death row.5 But about a month later, President Caballeros vetoed the bill, reinstating the de facto moratorium on capital punishment.6

In August 2011, four former soldiers from the “Kaibiles” (commandos) were sentenced to over 6,000 years in prison for the massacre of 201 civilians in Dos Erres 1982.7 In October, the Government indicted former President Oscar Mejia for charges of genocide.8 In December, President Caballeros issued a formal apology for the Government’s participation in the Dos Erres massacre.9