Official Language and Symbol: Accord for a Firm and Lasting Peace

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Official Language and Symbol: Accord for a Firm and Lasting Peace

Implementations

Official Language and Symbol – 1997

The Government established the Commission for the Officialization of Indigenous Languages in April 1997.1

  1. “The Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala: Overcoming Discrimination in the Framework of the Peace Agreements, Verification Report,” United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), September 2001.

Official Language and Symbol – 1998

In March 1998, the Commission for the Officialization of Indigenous Languages presented a plan to recognize territorial, community and special languages at the regional level in all service sectors. These proposals were incorporated into the draft constitutional reforms and the Commission dissolved.2

  1. Ibid.

Official Language and Symbol – 1999

The referendum for the full package of constitutional amendments occurred on 16 May 1999. With low turnout, voters denied the proposed amendments related to the redefinition of the nation and the formal recognition of indigenous peoples—including adding indigenous languages to Spanish as official languages of the country—along with all other proposed amendments. While this vote prevented the complete fulfillment of many components of the peace agreements, the parties to the agreements for their part showed good faith by drafting, submitting and approving the reforms. As provisions for improved rights and protections for indigenous peoples were featured prominently in the referendum, this outcome indicated that the country was far from reconciled after the formal end of the civil war.3

The Academy of Mayan Languages of Guatemala picked up the work of advocating to make indigenous languages official.4

  1. “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/54/526), November 11, 1999.
  2. “The Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala: Overcoming Discrimination in the Framework of the Peace Agreements, Verification Report,” United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), September 2001.

Official Language and Symbol – 2000

No developments observed this year.

Official Language and Symbol – 2001

No developments observed this year.

Official Language and Symbol – 2002

No developments observed this year.

Official Language and Symbol – 2003

Legislative Decree No. 19-2003 established the National Languages Act, which was intended to promote the provision of bilingual public services. Government Agreement No. 526-2003 established the Vice-Ministry for Bilingual Intercultural Education.4

  1. “Information Received from Governments: Guatemala,” Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, United Nations Economic and Social Council (E/C.19/2010/12/Add.8), March 3, 2010.

Official Language and Symbol – 2004

Government Agreement No. 22-2004 expanded bilingual education.1

  1. Ibid.

Official Language and Symbol – 2005

No developments observed this year.

Official Language and Symbol – 2006

Government officials in community offices often forced indigenous persons to converse in Spanish, despite the provisions in the National Languages Act.5 As such, implementing the indigenous language for government business purpose remained a problem.

As of 2009, only 17% of judicial bodies in the country had Maya language interpreters.6

  1. “Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Situation of Human Rights in Guatemala,” United Nations Economic and Social Council (E/CN.4/2006/10/Add.1), February 1, 2006.
  2. “Information Received from Governments: Guatemala,” Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, United Nations Economic and Social Council (E/C.19/2010/12/Add.8), March 3, 2010.