SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEDGES UNITED NATIONS HELP IN ESTABLISHING

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION AGAINST IMPUNITY IN GUATEMALA

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is following with interest the discussions in the Guatemalan Congress over the proposal to establish an International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) with the support of the United Nations.  He hopes that Guatemala will seize this important opportunity to use international assistance to strengthen its national judicial institutions in the fight against impunity in a way that is fully respectful of Guatemalan sovereignty.

The Secretary-General wishes to emphasize that safeguarding public security and solidifying the rule of law are not challenges unique to Guatemala, but shared by many other countries emerging from conflict.  Under the December 2006 agreement between the Government of Guatemala and the United Nations Secretariat, CICIG would work hand in hand with Guatemalan prosecutors to help dismantle illegal armed groups and clandestine security organizations whose existence are an acknowledged threat to public order in the country.

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For information media • not an official record