Human Rights First Welcomes UN Decision to Extend Mission
in Guatemala

November 18, 2002

Human Rights First welcomes the announcement by Secretary General Kofi Annan to recommend extending the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) for another year. This announcement is an important recognition of the continuing need for international support to ensure the full implementation of the 1996 peace accords. The UN’s decision also acknowledges that clandestine groups with ties to paramilitary organizations and former military officials continue to operate. These groups are suspected of involvement in several recent politically motivated attacks and in persistent threats against human rights defenders.

The ability of human rights defenders to carry out their important work in an environment free from fear and intimidation is crucial to the promotion of reconciliation and peace. MINUGUA has played an important role in monitoring and reporting on this and other human rights problems in Guatemala. While extending MINUGUA’s mandate will provide a lifeline to many in Guatemala who are engaged in this vital work, it is no substitute for decisive action from the Guatemalan government. Human Rights First remains deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of human rights defenders in Guatemala. Human Rights First calls upon the government to investigate all attacks and threats against human rights defenders throughout the country, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. We further call upon the government to investigate and dismantle completely the clandestine groups still undermining the rule of law in Guatemala.