VICE-PRESIDENT BALDETTI ASKS UN TO EXTEND CICIG'S MANDATE FOR TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS

Guatemala, September 6, 2012. Today, at the UN Headquarters in New York, a Guatemalan delegation—led by Vice-President Roxana Baldetti—expressed its support for the work of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) before the representatives of its donor countries.

The event was attended by ambassadors and representatives of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, El Salvador, Mexico, Uruguay, Panama, Austria, Germany, the European Union, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina, among others. Also present were Gert Rosenthal, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations, and René Mauricio Valdés, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Guatemala.

At the meeting, where Commissioner Francisco Javier Dall´Anese Ruiz presented the CICIG work plan for 2012 to 2013, the Vice-President requested the international communities´ support to enable CICIG´s mandate to be extended until 2015. She based this call on the grounds that the assistance offered by the Commission has been crucial in the fight against impunity.

Baldetti stressed: "All Guatemalans present here today long for a country free from impunity in which peace prevails. We believe that CICIG has made progress; however, it is not sufficient. The five-year existence of CICIG is significant, but we feel its work is not yet finished, and it is not in a position to declare to the Guatemalan people that the mission has been accomplished [...]. Therefore, on behalf of the President of the Republic and the Guatemalan people, we call upon donor countries to extend the Commission´s mandate so that it can continue its work to tackle impunity in our country."

The Vice-President underlined that with the support of CICIG it has been possible for justice sector institutions to work together, whereas in times gone by it was unlikely that there would be coordination between such bodies. She also expressed her gratitude for the economic support of the donor countries, assuring that the funds have been put to the best use possible in the fight against impunity, and she expressed her hope that these countries continue supporting the Commission.

Oscar Fernández-Taranco, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, stated that the message offered in unison by Guatemalan authorities is a gesture of support for the achievements made by CICIG since its inception in 2007.

In his statement, the Commissioner revealed CICIG's work plan and referred to its four thematic areas: contribute to reducing impunity rates; contribute to coordinating the State in the fight against criminality; contribute to the implementation of strategies to eradicate and prevent the re-emergence of illegal security forces and clandestine security organizations (CIACS); and also contribute to raising awareness of the impact of impunity upon a democratic society. "The presence of national institutions is a sign of approval for our work, hence I am grateful to them for being here with us at this meeting," affirmed the Commissioner.

Backing for CIGIG
Thelma Aldana, President of the Judiciary (OJ), emphasized that CICIG's presence in the country has been invaluable, because its mission to enhance the technical capacities of investigative bodies and criminal prosecution authorities, particularly in relation to organized crime, fits well with the needs of the Guatemalan State.

Aldana declared: "We cannot continue to use 19th century methodology and techniques whilst transnational crime employs 21st century technology. We firmly believe that coordinated actions between the justice institutions, together with CICIG's valuable contribution, help to improve our capacity to tackle organized crime. However, we are aware of the fact that in the future it will be up to us to act alone."

Gudy Rivera, President of Congress, declared that at the behest of CICIG, the Law on Criminal Jurisdiction in High-risk Proceedings has been approved, as well as the Law to Strengthen Criminal Prosecution and amendments to the Anti-organized Crime Law—all of which have been effective tools in the fight against impunity. He went on to say that the amendments to the Law on Arms and Ammunition, the Law on Amparo, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Criminal Code have been passed, strengthening the Guatemalan justice institutions.

Claudia Paz y Paz, Attorney General, pointed out that with CICIG's support significant strides forward have been made in the areas of security and justice. "The oversight of the Commission in selection processes for high-level officials has produced a change in judicial institutions," she manifested.

Paz y Paz underlined that CICIG and the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) have combined forces on some cases making it possible to target networks involved in corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking, extra-judicial killing and illegal adoption. Furthermore, she drew attention to the Commission's support for the introduction of laws such as the Asset Forfeiture Law, the Law on Nominating Commissions, as well as important changes made to the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Mauricio López Bonilla, Minister of the Interior, stated that the fight against impunity is the main challenge faced by Guatemalan justice and, therefore, CICIG's work on Guatemalan soil is of great importance. "I am happy with the joint efforts carried forward with the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and the Commission to create security protocols to tackle organized crime and impunity," he said.

Diplomats who were present at the meeting reacted positively and some stated that they closely follow and keep abreast of the scourges that afflict Guatemalan society as well as the work undertaken by CICIG in accordance with its mandate. In addition, they declared that—as demonstrated by the presence of the three branches of the State—joint efforts were clearly being made to grapple with impunity.