CICIG CALLS ON SOCIETY NOT TO GENERATE MISINFORMATION

Guatemala, 10 June 2009. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, taking into account the seriousness of the cases that are currently being investigated and that are of public knowledge calls on society in general, and the media in particular, not to generate misinformation or confusion when discussing the declarations of potential witnesses.

With profound respect for the freedom of press and freedom of opinion, CICIG requests that information be assessed and confirmed before it is presented to the public as the truth.

On 5 June, during an investigative activity in which a potential witness was providing evidence to CICIG investigators, the investigators were surprised by the presence of various members of the media who had previously been informed of the activity by someone with a clear interest in turning the professional task into a media show. The members of the media had been manipulated and unduly published information that should have been kept under reserve as has been judicially ordered.

This is not a reproach of the media, but of those who desire to negatively affect the Commission’s work.

It is for this reason that we request seriousness and professionalism in respecting the reservation of information in investigations, which is essential to achieve success. The media should be conscious that it cannot allow itself to be manipulated by interested or biased parties that do not represent the general interest of Guatemalan society.

It is necessary to remember that criminal investigations “that do not have a defendant” do not have a defined or specific timeframe in which results must be shown. However, Guatemalan society can be sure that CICIG is working diligently in the interest of justice. CICIG’s group of experts from 23 countries is working hand-in-hand with Guatemalan experts to guarantee quality, impartial work.

Many of the affirmations in these days are precipitated suppositions, which do not foster concord or the development of the investigations.

We call for patience and on the good people to unite around the truth. CICIG supports the Public Prosecutor’s Office and our investigative work will continue until the final results are achieved. Our commitment is to justice.