All Content: Guatemala

After the Verdict: What Ríos Montt’s Conviction Means for Guatemala

14 May 2013
Analysis & Commentary
The Ríos Montt verdict is historic; he is the first former head of state to be convicted of genocide by a national court. His trial and conviction in the face of numerous attempts to interfere with the process means that there were two victories in Guatemala last week.

Ríos Montt Discussion From October, 1982

10 May 2013
Video
Former WOLA Assistant Dana Martin, one of the earliest members of WOLA staff, comments on the regime of Efraín Ríos Montt in a 1982 video interview with Jim Lehrer and Charlene Hunter Gault. WOLA has been closely following the human rights situation in Guatemala for decades.

Verdict in Guatemala Genocide Trial Expected Today

10 May 2013
News
Q&A with WOLA's Program Director, Geoff Thale

Verdict in Guatemala Genocide Trial: Q&A with Geoff Thale

10 May 2013
Video
Q&A with WOLA's Program Director, Geoff Thale filmed in anticipation of the verdict in the historic genocide trial of former Guatemalan dictator Efraín Ríos Montt. The conviction, which sentenced Ríos Montt to 80 years in prison, is an enormous victory for justice and the rule of law in Guatemala.

International Groups Welcome Progress in Guatemalan Genocide Trial but Criticize Delaying Tactics

9 May 2013
News
Nine international human rights and legal groups have welcomed the resumption of the Guatemalan trial of Efraín Ríos Montt, the former military dictator, for genocide and crimes against humanity.

President Obama to Meet with Central American Presidents

Topics of Discussion to Include Security and Economic Cooperation
1 May 2013
News
The Central American stop on Obama's trip seems intended to showcase positive messages about economic growth and partnership. But Central America has some huge challenges—on dealing with crime and insecurity, and on human rights and democracy—that will inevitably be part of the story.

Guatemalan Genocide Trial Back on Track?

26 Apr 2013
News
In an encouraging move, on April 25 the Constitutional Court issued a ruling that would allow the case to essentially pick up where it left off when it was suspended last week.

In Ríos Montt Trial, Procedural Delays Must Not Undercut Justice

Trial Is a Test of Rule of Law in Guatemala
24 Apr 2013
News
Thousands upon thousands of victims of state violence and human rights violations committed during Guatemala’s internal armed conflict have waited decades for justice, and the commitment to justice should prevail over procedural obfuscation.

Rights Groups Urge Completion of Guatemala Genocide Trial

19 Apr 2013
News
Four international legal and human rights groups, including WOLA, are together urging all concerned to ensure that the current trial in Guatemala of former president Efraín Ríos Montt on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity proceeds with due respect for judicial independence.

International Delegation to Observe Ríos Montt Genocide Trial in Guatemala

Press conference to be held Thursday, April 18
16 Apr 2013
News

Twenty Years after the Salvadoran Truth Commission

9 Apr 2013
Video
On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, WOLA, the University of Washington, DPLF, CEJIL, and George Mason University co-sponsored a discussion on the current status of emblematic human rights cases in El Salvador and throughout Latin America.

WOLA mourns the passing of Stephen Coats, director of US LEAP

3 Apr 2013
Analysis & Commentary
Stephen Coats, director of the US/Guatemala Labor Education Project (US LEAP), collaborated with WOLA staff over the years and will be greatly missed by colleagues here and throughout Latin America.

Scenes from the Trial of General Efraín Ríos Montt

22 Mar 2013
Analysis & Commentary
On the opening day of the trial against the former Guatemalan dictator, WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale gives a firsthand account of the proceedings.

Trial of General Efraín Ríos Montt Begins in Guatemala

First Former President to be Tried for Genocide
19 Mar 2013
News
The trial is an important advance for victims of the internal armed conflict, as well as for the rule of law in Guatemala.

Tracking International Anti-Crime and Violence Prevention Efforts in Central America

31 Jan 2013
Publication
The Mapping of Internationally-Funded Citizen Security Projects in Central America is a joint initiative of WOLA and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to monitor international assistance from multilateral institutions, donor governments, and private foundations to support anti-crime and violence reduction programs in Central America.

Genocide Trial of Former Guatemalan Dictator Efraín Ríos Montt to Proceed

The trial is a crucial step toward ensuring justice for victims of human rights violations committed during Guatemala’s civil war.
30 Jan 2013
News
On January 28, 2013, Guatemalan judge Miguel Gálvez ruled that former dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt must stand trial for genocide and crimes against humanity committed during his 1982-1983 regime.

WOLA Featured in CBS News Story: "Some Latin American countries rethink drug policy"

19 Nov 2012
Video
Senior Associate John Walsh discusses the impact of the "war on drugs" with CBS News, noting the troubling levels of violence caused by the drug trade and various Latin American countries' proposals for the creation of legal, regulated markets for cannabis.

Human Rights Organizations Ask Congress to Maintain Conditions on Security Assistance to Latin America

15 Nov 2012
News
Today, WOLA joined other human rights organizations (Amnesty International, the Center for International Policy, and the Latin America Working Group) in urging the U.S. Congress to retain the human rights conditions pertaining to security assistance for Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

WOLA's Human Rights Awards Highlight Strategies to Reduce Violence in Latin America

19 Sep 2012
News
Today, September 19, 2012, WOLA honors Helen Mack, El Faro, and PASSOS Education and Training Center for their work at the front lines of citizen security in Central America.

WOLA's 2012 Human Rights Awards Ceremony & Benefit Gala

19 Sep 2012
Video
On September 19, WOLA presented its 2012 Human Rights Awards. This year, the theme of the award was Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda. Watch the Awards Ceremony here.

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