CICIG CALLS FOR UNITY IN THE FACE OF BARBARISM

Guatemala, May 26, 2011. In view of the upsurge in violence over recent days, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala:

1. Strongly rejects the brutal, cruel criminal actions taken to terrorize the population and impose a culture of death, illegality and easy money.
2. Expresses its solidarity with the next of kin of the victims of these despicable acts.
3. Calls for respect for the lives and dignity of all individuals as well as the end of human rights violations.
4. Invites all citizens to speak out against acts of this nature.
5. Urges the Government to provide for the security of justice operators and of the general population and to apply State pressure in every corner of Guatemala.
6. Reiterates its commitment to cooperating with the Public Prosecutor's Office and all Guatemalan authorities in its fight against impunity and its efforts to achieve justice.

At present, Guatemala needs the commitment of all citizens to being united in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking, human rights violations and the terror inflicted by those individuals who seek to mute citizens, human rights defenders and the media and paralyze the justice system in order to control the country and perpetuate their illegal activities.

Other Latin American partners have experienced the same barbarism of organized crime groups. Guatemala must not repeat this story of terror and injustice. The whole population must take steps to tackle the individuals who seek to convert Guatemala into a "narcostate".

Furthermore, CICIG reiterates that only strictly legal actions taken by institutions responsible for the prevention, prosecution and punishment of crime will prevent Guatemala from losing ground in the process to establish rule of law and avoid further weakening the justice system.

The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala supports the arduous work of the people at the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) that tackle crime in a patriotic, brave and honest fashion.