On March 25, the report on the situation of human rights in Guatemala will be presented. The document, prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OACNUD), analyzes the achievements and challenges faced by the country in this matter during 2024.
In that context, Mika Kanervavuori, representative of Oacnudh in Guatemala, points out that one of the main concerns in the country is the lack of judicial independence, which not only involves the judicial body, but also to the leadership of the Public Ministry, structures that are difficult to transform, especially in an environment where there are “powers” that seek to maintain the status quo.
He adds that the majority of the population has not understood the implications of not having access to justice and perceives its inoperance only when it is immersed in a judicial process that can be extended for years without resolution. Although they go to the judicial system, they do not question the act or the work of judges or magistrates.
“There is a perception that justice is something that is not sought, and that it will not solve its problems, because its problems are living day to day, especially in the territories, then, they see it as something distant,” says Kanervavuori.
For this reason, in 2024, during the process of election of magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Appeal Rooms, the OACNUD carried out campaigns at the community level, in order to raise awareness of the population about the importance of choosing magistrates and judges, and of evidence that It is not an exclusive issue of urban inhabitants.
Kanervavuori says that the lack of judicial independence and the attempt by the Public Ministry of undermining the rule of law is a trend in the region, although there are advances in the country.
“The positive thing about Guatemala is that it has a socioeconomic agenda that promotes equality and non -discrimination, an agenda of the participation government and dialogues. The regional and global situation tends more to the closing of spaces, and there Guatemala is moving forward,” adds the Oacnudh representative in Guatemala.
Analysis
The report The situation of human rights in Guatemala It contains information collected and analyzed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OACNUDH) for 2024, as well as data provided by state institutions. It also exposes the work that said agency carried out in the country, such as the Documentation of 147 cases of alleged human rights violations.
Among the issues addressed include equality and non -discrimination in different sectors of the population, and the realities and challenges faced by indigenous, gate and Afro -descendant peoples, women and girls, people with disabilities, sexual diversity and gender identity, youth and migrants are exposed.
A section on sustainable and inclusive human development is included, which analyzes the problem of access to land, territories and natural resources. Cases of contamination of water sources and the search for justice are documented to stop this situation.
Regarding justice and the fight against impunity, the report refers to access to justice, as well as judicial independence and impartiality. It is indicated that the criminalization by the Public Ministry, Courts of First Instance and Criminal Judgment against Justice Operators persists, of which 63 are in exile.
The Oacnudh also documented 63 cases of attacks against people and human rights organizations, and received reports of criminal prosecution, surveillance and physical aggression against students and teachers from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. Besides, registered 47 cases of violations of the rights to freedom of expression and to access to information to the detriment of journalists, media and community communicators.
One of the conclusions of the report is that discrimination and inequality persist in the country, as well as the criminalization by the Public Ministry and the Judicial Organization against human rights defenders. For that reason, accompaniment to Guatemala will continue with the objective of guaranteeing the fundamental rights of its population.