HRW declared that it is a “wise decision” and stressed that the situation in the Central American country “deserves more international attention”
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File photo: Guatemalan Police agents wait in front of the Pavón prison while gunshots are heard in the municipality of Fraijanes, some 25 kilometers southeast of the Guatemalan capital (EFE/Esteban Biba)
The researcher for the Americas of the organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) Juan Pappier applauded this Friday the inclusion of Guatemala in the ‘black list’ of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for incurring serious human rights violations.
“In its new annual report, the IACHR includes Guatemala, along with Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, as countries with serious human rights violations and attacks on democratic institutions”, he asserted on his Twitter account.
He also stressed that it is a “wise decision” and recalled that the situation in Guatemala “deserves more international attention.”
In its annual report, The commission has denounced state actions that weaken judicial independence and call into question the fight against impunity and corruption under the government of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, who came to power in January 2020.< /p>
Subsequently, the international community has criticized the decision to keep Consuelo Porras in the position of attorney general for another four years, despite the accusations against her for promoting impunity and corruption in the country.
María Consuelo Porras is sworn in as attorney general until 2026, appointed by Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, at the National Palace in Guatemala City on May 16, 2022 (REUTERS/Luis Echeverria)
< b>At least six anti-corruption prosecutors and judges have been detained or have been forced to flee Guatemala after receiving threats and suffering institutional persecution under the Giammattei Administration, which insists it respects the rule of law.
Nevertheless, the IACHR has recognized Guatemala’s initiative to establish a work path based on “a dialogue or frank” and in order to “follow up on its recommendations regarding the concerns observed, as well as its willingness to meet the requirements of the Inter-American Human Rights System.”
(With information from EuropaPress)