Secretary-General Concerned by Guatemala's Intention to Terminate Agreement Establishing International Commission against Impunity

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General met this afternoon with Foreign Minister Sandra Erica Jovel Polanco of Guatemala who presented him with a letter informing the United Nations of the Government’s intention to terminate the agreement establishing the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) within 24 hours.

The Secretary-General strongly rejects the content of the letter addressed to him.  The United Nations has been constructively engaged with the Government of Guatemala, at various levels, over the last 16 months, in accordance with article 12 of the agreement creating CICIG.  The mandate of the Commission is set to end on 3 September.  Until that date, we expect the Government of Guatemala to entirely fulfil its legal obligations under the agreement.

The Secretary-General expects the Government of Guatemala to abide by its international undertakings to ensure the protection of CICIG personnel, both international and national.

The Secretary-General recalls the important contribution of CICIG to the fight against impunity in Guatemala.