WOLA: Advocacy for Human Rights in the Americas
13 Mar 2007 | | News

European Parliament’s Resolution supporting creation of commission against impunity (CICIG)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

With request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Marios Matsakis, Danute Budreikaite, Frédérique Ries, Arunas Degutis, Sarunas Birutis, on behalf of the ALDE Group on Guatemala

European Parliament resolution on Guatemala.

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its former resolutions on Guatemala,
– having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

  • concerned at the increasing levels of organised crime and drug trafficking in Guatemala,
  • whereas Guatemala ended a 36-year civil war with peace agreements in 1996, but the country has since been swamped by gang and drug violence and destabilized by police and government corruption,
  • whereas Guatemalan policemen participation in the murder of three Salvadorian deputies and their driver renewed the demands in favour of purging that body and the creation of the Commission against Impunity (CICIG),
  • whereas President Berger recognized drug trafficking has established a north-south corridor that is causing many problems to the nations,
  • whereas Vice President Eduardo Stein admitted how difficult it was to fight organized Crime when it was deeply entrenched in the public institution itself,
  1. Deeply shocked by organised crime and multiple killings, deplores the loss of human lives and expresses its condolences to the families of the victims;
  2. Expresses its deep concern about organized crime inside Guatemalan security at a very high level;
  3. Calls on the Government of Guatemala to make genuine efforts to investigate the reported threats and attacks in order to bring those responsible to justice and to put an end to impunity and unreservedly support the investigation into clandestine security units and groups;
  4. Calls upon all Guatemalans to maintain the utmost respect of human rights and the rule of law;
  5. Stresses the EU's statement to urge the parties to "continue on the path of negotiation and to reiterate its desire to continue to contribute to the economic and social development of the country, for which the signing of a firm and lasting peace agreement will be a fundamental importance";
  6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and the parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of Guatemala and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.