“It was a precedence for me to come back to Guatemala at a vital second in its historical past, and to assist the nation in its efforts to strengthen democracy, the rule of legislation, to struggle in opposition to corruption and set up a transparent and transformative human rights agenda,” Volker Türk mentioned in a statement.
Preserving democracy
The UN rights chief mentioned that what occurred throughout the 2023 electoral interval was of utmost concern to him.
President Bernardo Arevalo, who campaigned on tackling corruption and insecurity, was elected final August however opponents repeatedly challenged the outcomes.
“I feared that the regressive forces who had co-opted the State buildings would additionally achieve overturning the favored will expressed on the poll field,” he mentioned.
“The efforts and willpower of many sectors of society, particularly the 106-day mobilization of Indigenous Peoples and social actions, have been profitable in preserving democracy and the rule of legislation.”
Mr. Türk mentioned he noticed the Authorities’s “agency dedication” to the rule of legislation, democracy and human rights, and that the “human rights agenda” is a part of the Govt’s programmes and actions.
Polarization and corruption
He warned, nevertheless, that the three powers of Authorities usually are not but working in concord.
“There may be huge polarization between State establishments,” he mentioned. “Public opinion is very fragmented. Corruption ranges stay very excessive. Distrust between totally different teams is rising.”
The Excessive Commissioner careworn the necessity to deal with a number of the nation’s most important issues, together with excessive ranges of inequality, gender equality and violence in opposition to girls and women.
“Change is feasible and it’s already taking place,” he insisted. “An instance of that’s the appointment by President Arévalo of six girls governors.”
Discrimination, inequality and racism
He mentioned among the many most urgent challenges in Guatemala is the “devastating” structural discrimination, racism and inequality confronted by Indigenous Peoples and other people of African descent, who represent the vast majority of the nation’s inhabitants.
LGBTIQ+ neighborhood, individuals with disabilities and different weak teams additionally face discrimination, he added.
Cease persecuting activists
Mr. Türk expressed deep concern over the misuse of felony legislation to persecute human rights defenders, justice officers, journalists, college students and indigenous authorities. Dozens now “face judicial proceedings based mostly on spurious grounds”, and greater than 50 have fled the nation.
“I urge the Lawyer Normal to undertake the required measures in order that this persecution ends instantly. All these in exile ought to be capable of return instantly and in protected situations,” he mentioned.
In pursuit of justice
Mr. Türk mentioned it was significantly regrettable that folks working to stamp out corruption, or expose it, are being persecuted. Additionally affected are these in search of to make sure that severe human rights violations that occurred within the context of the inner armed battle from 1960 to 1996 don’t go unpunished
He famous the shortage of progress within the seek for justice, specifically the trials associated to the inner armed battle. Provisions of the Peace Accords haven’t been totally applied, particularly the ensures of non-repetition.
“That is why I’m involved concerning the case of the ‘Alaska Summit Bloodbath’ in 2012, wherein seven individuals died and dozens had been critically injured when the military opened fireplace on a peaceable demonstration, and that it took practically 12 years for this case to come back to trial,” he mentioned.
Whereas the challenges in Guatemala are “manifold”, Mr. Turk mentioned he was reassured that Authorities, civil society, Indigenous Peoples and the non-public sector “can reverse the course of the final a long time and enhance the promotion and safety of human rights in Guatemala.”
He urged the worldwide neighborhood to proceed supporting the Authorities’s efforts on this regard.