Guatemala: Congress Must Approve Law for National Search Commission for the Disappeared

[Judi Lynn]

February 25, 2009
1:47 PM
Guatemala: Congress Must Approve Law for National Search Commission for the Disappeared

LONDON - February 25 - Amnesty International today urged the Guatemalan Congress to approve a law for a National Search Commission for the Disappeared as an essential step to implement the recommendations made by the country's Historical Clarification Commission ten years ago.

"The Historical Clarification Commission's report was a massive landmark for human rights in Guatemala," said Kerrie Howard, Americas Deputy Director at Amnesty International. "Now it is time for the government to deliver some justice."

"It is very disappointing that so many of the report's recommendations remain outstanding and that justice is yet to be seen for the tens of thousands of cases of enforced disappearance, killings and torture which took place during Guatemala's long conflict."

The report by Guatemala's Historical Clarification Commission - developed under the terms of the UN-brokered Peace Accords that ended the conflict - was published on 25 February 1999.

More:
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/02/25-6