Concerned about the justice situation in the country, a group of citizens and representatives from more than 35 social organizations, businesses, universities, youth groups, churches and the Government met to work together and contribute to the justice system and the fight against impunity. They expressed their desire to permanently surveil the performance of those institutions directly and indirectly responsible for providing justice and to demand that State institutions and officials fulfil their obligations. The group invited other members of civil society organizations to join this initiative, which took as its central theme the unconditional support of CICIG’s work in addition to reminding Congress of the public commitment assumed by the President of Congress to approve in the upcoming days the ratification of the renewal of CICIG’s mandate; the modifications to the Law against Organized Crime; the approval of the Law of Criminal Jurisdiction in High-Risk Proceedings; and the modifications to the Law of Immunities.

Vice President Rafael Espada

are all supporting CICIG. I believe that it is a kind of salvation for Guatemala. CICIG is a magnificent idea for countries with growing democracies, with political and institutional weaknesses.

The Commission plays a very important role in the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and in the social, political and economic evolution of the country.

The message to the members of Congress is that of total support for CICIG, I hope that they also support it. We are going to listen to any discussion or proposal, which should be the most positive possible. I believe that in Guatemala the support for CICIG is going to be unanimous. I do not believe that anyone, in this moment, opposes support for CICIG. I do not want to think of even one Guatemalan that criticizes CICIG. I believe that it is an institution that is going to put us in line for more organized administrative growth.

Former Vice President Eduardo Stein

text that we have agreed to is very necessary, we hope for the congressmen’s total support on the four legislative acts. This civic gathering means the birth of a network of broad coordination that is going to maintain a steadfast civic surveillance of all of the operations of the justice sector.

CICIG is acting in accordance with its mandate. Since January 2009, when results began to be seen, the waters were stirred because many people did not believe that it was going to arrive to this level of concrete achievements and results, and that is what we are hoping for and needing, which means that the following two years are going to be very decisive.

Ambassador of France, Michele Ramis

consider that CICIG has acquired authority and legitimacy in this country through the important results which it has produced in various cases. I also consider that the legislative agenda has been honed, because a large number of laws could not have been born without the support of this Commission.

In this moment the leading issue is the approval in Congress of the extension of the mandate, even though it already legally exists. It is important that the commitments expressed by the different members of Congress be confirmed through the ratification; a political commitment should exist. We are going to follow very closely Congress’s support.

Myrna Mack Foundation, Helen Mack

believe that the members of Congress should openly support all of the initiatives that CICIG has requested and that they are approved as soon as possible. We call on society in general to make an ethical pact that the highest judge of those that oppose justice for reasons of corruption or committed crimes, should be society.