GERMANY DONATES EQUIPMENT TO PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE (MP)

Guatemala, September 13, 2012. The Government of Germany donated computer equipment, furniture and vehicles to the Special Anti-impunity Prosecutor's Bureau (FECI) and the Witness Protection Office, and a donation agreement was signed between the Embassy of Germany, the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).

The document was signed by Thomas Schäfer, Ambassador of Germany; Francisco Javier Dall'Anese Ruiz, CICIG Commissioner; Claudia Paz y Paz, Attorney General of the Republic; and René Mauricio Valdés, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System.

This donation aims to strengthen FECI and the Witness Protection Office of the MP, complementing the training received by FECI staff in a number of different areas.

Ambassador Thomas Schäfer congratulated the Guatemalan authorities for the notable progress made in the fight against organized crime and in the administration of justice. "I admire those people who are willing to take risks to achieve justice. Therefore, having the opportunity to contribute to the great efforts being undertaken in Guatemala is satisfying for my Government," he affirmed.

The Commissioner expressed his appreciation to the Government and people of Germany for their support. He acknowledged that despite their internal and external obligations, Germany has continued to support Guatemala in its efforts to improve the administration of justice and fight impunity: "The efforts being undertaken by the Government of Germany to support Guatemalan justice officials are a means of rewarding those Guatemalans who work to tackle impunity and a way of giving their fellow Guatemalans a feeling of being equal in the eyes of the law and hence satisfy the country's long-standing desire to achieve justice."

He pointed out that the technology provided by Germany by means of this donation will make it possible to appropriately administer information, act promptly in the face of criminality, anticipate the actions of criminal organizations and protect witnesses.

Attorney General Claudia Paz y Paz affirmed that the German support has helped to strengthen FECI and the Witness Protection Program: "Germany's support has made it possible to relocate 30% of protected witnesses, who now have new lives and no longer suffer imprisonment in order to help the justice system."

Paz y Paz thanked the Government and people of Germany for their support in strengthening the justice system of Guatemala, and she assured that the economic and material support would be used appropriately.

"These efforts have given prosecutors from the MP further training that will optimize investigations against illegal security forces and clandestine security organizations," declared René Mauricio Valdés, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Guatemala.