PROSECUTORS, INVESTIGATORS AND POLICE OFFICERS RECEIVE TRAINING ON EXTRADITIONS AND INTERNATIONAL JUDICIAL SUPPORT

Guatemala, June 21, 2012. Thanks to funds from the Government of Germany—administered by the UNDP and implemented by CICIG—personnel from the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and the National Civil Police (PNC) will receive training from Chilean expert Michel Diban on extraditions and international judicial support.

This training course is the third in a series of four sessions planned by CICIG and it falls under the project to strengthen the Special Anti-impunity Prosecutor's Office (FECI) and the Protection Bureau of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP).

These training courses strive to support the MP in its fight against impunity and organized crime, and enhance the technical capabilities of prosecutors in the area of criminal prosecution and penal action—within the framework of the powers conferred upon the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).

One of the very goals of CICIG is to support, strengthen and cooperate with institutions of the State of Guatemala that are responsible for the investigation and criminal prosecution of crimes committed by illegal security groups and clandestine security structures.  This series of training courses will give international experts the chance to share their knowledge and experience with Guatemalan prosecutors and investigators.

The need to impart training courses on extraditions and international judicial support stem from the existence of obstacles that hinder the work of the Guatemalan authorities (especially prosecutors) when investigating criminals who carry out illicit activities in such a manner that national borders protect them from investigations and criminal prosecution. 

Amongst the topics to be covered by the training course are: Conceptual, methodological and legal tools to carry out the extradition proceeding; an analysis of the principles covered by the different international treaties and agreements for extraditions; legal nature and international regulation; the requirements for the extradition proceeding and the authorities involved; the importance of effective international cooperation for arrests and prosecution; international rules and principles in national legislation; and the importance of the States fostering cooperation and full enforcement of agreements to establish and use reciprocal judicial support agreements and extradition agreements.

The training course will be held in Guatemala City on Thursday 21, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 of June, 2012. A total of 80 people will receive the aforementioned training.