COHA Opinion: Guatemala?s Heinous Human Rights Record and Non-compliance With UN Mandates Should Disbar it from UN Seat
Incontestably, Guatemala has been one of the worst human rights violators in Latin American history, a fact made evident by the bloody state-sanctioned military rampage that raged from 1962 to 1996, and took at least 200,000 lives. Such a deeply stained past would ordinarily make Guatemala a grotesque choice to oversee critical human rights issues that may arise during its two-year tenure on the council. (August 2006)
Testimony from R?os Montt: Major Step Towards Ending Impunity
As torture continues to take center stage around the world in places such as Iraq and Darfur, all eyes should turn to Guatemala City next week where an important step toward justice will take place. (June 2006)
Challenging Impunity Through the Guatemalan Justice System
Though Bishop Juan Gerardi was murdered 8 years ago by SOA graduates, his case still remains open in the Guatemalan courts. As the case enters the last round of appeals, it proves to be an important test of Guatemala?s justice system. (May 2006)
Guatemalan Military Aid Ban Lifted in House
For the first time in fifteen years, the House lifted the ban on International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds for Guatemala. The Senate maintained the ban, however, in its draft of the bill. The two versions will be reconciled in conference committee in coming months, which will determine whether or not the Guatemalan IMET ban is lifted. (August 2005)
Guatemalan Police Files Depicting Abuse Found
About 30,000 police files have been unearthed and confirm that human rights abuses took place in the 1980s at the height of the country's civil war, Guatemala's human rights ombudsman said Saturday. (July 2005)
Notorious Graduates from Guatemala
The SOA played a key role in the three brutal military dictatorships that ruled Guatemala from 1978 to 1986. SOA graduates comprised four of eight military officials in the cabinet of Lucas Garcia , six out of nine under Rios Montt, and five out of ten under Mejia Victores.
Guatemala Human Rights Commission - Peace Accords
Nearly eight years since the signing of the Peace Accords, Guatemala has not kept the most important promises, the United Nations
Verification Mission to Guatemala (MINUGUA) said in its final annual report presented on September 30. (Sept 2004)
Declassified documents on Lima Estrada
George Washington University's National Security Archive's Electronic Briefing Book on Colonel Byron Disrael Lima Estrada, alleged mastermind behind the murder of Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi of Guatemala. Contains declassified records from the U.S. Department of Defense. (February 2000)
SOA Watch Action Alert
US Army School of the Americas Cited by Guatemalan Truth Commission Report -- Act Now! (March 1999)
Guatemala Truth Commission Report Released
The Guatemalan Historical Clarification Commission will today release its long-awaited report documenting the human rights abuses committed during the country's 36-year civil war. (February 1999)
Guatemala: Never Again Links SOA Graduates to Human Rights Abuses in Guatemala
This 1998 human rights report shows connections between human rights abuses in Guatemala and graduates of the School of the Americas. Bishop Juan Gerardi, the main force behind the report's creation, was killed by an SOA graduate two days after the report's publication. (April 1998)
