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Truth or Reconciliation Mechanism – 1999

The CEH released its final report, “Memory of Silence,” on 25 February 1999. It documented human rights violations against 42,275 victims, of which 23,671 were victims of arbitrary execution and 6,159 of forced disappearance. Mass killings were common, with 626 cases verified by the CEH. Mayans made up the vast majority (83%) of the victims, and the Guatemalan state, mainly through the Army, was responsible for nearly all (93%) of the violations. Most of the violations (91%) were committed between 1978 and 1984. The CEH described the Army’s attacks against Mayans between 1981 and 1983 as “acts of genocide.” Insurgent groups also committed many grievous human rights violations, but they amounted to 3% of the total violations identified. The CEH made several recommendations, including: formal apologies from the State of Guatemala and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG); monuments and a day of commemoration for victims; the creation of a National Reparation Program for victims of human rights violations; investigations into cases of forced disappearances; exhumation of the remains of those killed in massacres so they can be properly buried; education initiatives to foster a culture of peace; ratification of international human rights instruments; increased accountability structures within the Government; improvement the public’s access to information; judicial reform, including respect for traditional forms of conflict resolution and customary law; re-emphasis on the military and police reforms and human rights protections stipulated in the agreements; and the creation of a Foundation for Peace and Harmony to oversee the implementation of the CEH recommendations.¹

The CEH officially dissolved on 25 February with the presentation of the final report.²

1. “Guatemala: Memory of Silence,” Guatemalan Commission for Historical Clarification, 1999, accessed 20 April 2012, http://shr.aaas.org/guatemala/ceh/report/english/toc.html.
2. “Press Conference by Members of Guatemalan Historical Clarification Commission,” Press Briefing, United Nations, March 1, 1999, accessed 20 April 2012, https://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/1999/19990301.guate.brf.html.