Verification/Monitoring Mechanism: Accord for a Firm and Lasting Peace

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Verification/Monitoring Mechanism: Accord for a Firm and Lasting Peace

Implementations

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 1997

The United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Commitments of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala (MINUGUA) added military observers to verify the ceasefire signed on 4 December 1996. The 155 military observers were fully operational as of 3 March 1997, and after completing the verification of the ceasefire agreement, withdrew on 27 May.1

  1. “Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of Resolution 1094 (1997),” United Nations Security Council (S/1997/123), February 13, 1997.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 1998

Verification mission continued its works. No other significant developments reported.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 1999

With the withdrawal of military observers, MINUGUA shifted from a primary concern with seeing the formal end of the armed conflict to focus on the final implementation of all components of the peace agreement, scheduled to be complete by the end of 2000. It combined verification operations with direct support programs, public information, facilitation of financial contributions, and providing good offices.2

  1. “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/59/746), March 18, 2005.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2000

The number of MINUGUA personnel peaked at 532 in 2000. The Agreement on a Firm and Lasting Peace and the Agreement on the Implementation, Compliance and Verification of the Time Table for the Peace Agreements originally stipulated that the commitments must be fulfilled by 31 December 2000, but progress was far too slow to hit that benchmark. When the Follow-up Commission extended the deadline for implementation 2003, MINUGUA also extended its mandate.3

  1. Ibid.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2001

Verification mission continued its works. No other significant developments reported.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2002

No further developments observed this year.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2003

After further delays in the implementation of the agreements, MINUGUA again extended its mandate through 2004. In preparation for its transition out of the country, MINUGUA carried out intensive capacity-building programs for the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman and special on-the-job training for 60 young Guatemalan professionals to become United Nations Volunteers.1

  1. Ibid.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2004

MINUGUA phased-out its operations throughout the year, focusing on preparing Guatemalan officials to see the letter and spirit of the agreements fulfilled. It officially completed its mission on 15 November 2004, ten years after first entering Guatemala to verify the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights. A small contingency of staff was left behind to finalize the mission’s exit.1

  1. Ibid.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2005

The last contingency of UN staff completed the liquidation process in March 2005. The remaining balance of the Trust Fund was given over to the National Transition Volunteer Program.1

  1. Ibid.

Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2006

With the liquidation of the UN mission in Guatemala in March 2005, the international or UN verification provision of the accord was implemented.