Guatemala, 23 July 2009. In relation to the ratification of the extension of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala’s (CICIG) mandate through Decree 20-2009, which was recently approved by 105 congressmen representing all of the political parties in the Guatemalan Congress, Commissioner Carlos Castresana expressed his thanks to the political parties, civil society, the international community, the Ambassadors that went before Congress to request the immediate ratification of the extension, and above all, to Guatemalan society that has begun to react and make efforts to provide a better country to future generations.

The Commissioner elucidated, however, that it is not enough to only give a carpenter the wood to make furniture, but he must be provided with a hammer, saw and nails: the necessary tools to complete the work entrusted to him. Correspondingly, in addition to the ratification of the extension of CICIG’s mandate, the approval of the Commission’s legal reform proposals for the improvement of the Guatemalan justice system is essential. “I want to recall the necessity that together with the approval of the extension of the mandate, you provide us the tools to complete our work with success, with the urgent approval of the legal reforms proposed by the Commission: Criminal Jurisdiction in High-Risk Processes and Effective Collaboration” Castresana said.

The two above-mentioned legal reform proposals, together with the rest of the legislative package that is pending approval, should be urgently approved once Congress resumes its ordinary sessions. “We received the assignment and we are committed to moving it forward, but in order to be successful we now need the tools. It not only that they give us the work, but also that they give us the means to move this work forward.” expressed the Commissioner.