On January 24, 2022, Guatemala’s highest court sentenced five former paramilitaries to 30 years in prison for raping indigenous Maya Achi women during the country’s civil war in the 1980s. Impunity Watch is proud to have supported the advocacy around this trial.
The case shows the incredible courage and perseverance of the women victims in the face of years of legal obstacles and racial discrimination.
Case summaries
Currently, reparations measures are still underway. On International Women’s Day (8 March 2023), a mural dedicated to the survivors’ fight for justice was unveiled in Rabinal, Guatemala as an important act of recognition.
However, the State continues to fail to comply with the other reparation measures that include financial compensation for the victims, medical attention for the women, scholarships for their children and grandchildren, and other measures for non-recurrence.
🇬🇹 As we celebrate a year since the historic verdict sentencing five paramilitaries for their crimes, we're proud to support the advocacy around this trial.
💪Their story illustrates the strength #victimparticipation in delivering hard-earned justice: https://t.co/KFcxoFy0Xv pic.twitter.com/I9jDBcrSQy
— Impunity Watch (@ImpunityWatch) January 24, 2023
How did we commemorate the anniversary of this date?