17 July 2017
It has been four years to the day since Guatemala’s former dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. His trial and sentencing marked the first time a former leader was convicted in a national court for genocide. His trial was a big step towards establishing an official record of past atrocities and gaining justice and recognition for victims.
Though his conviction was overturned upon appeal after only ten days, highlighting the structures of impunity that persist within Guatemala; we mark his conviction as an extraordinary development for justice and acknowledgment for victims. Guatemala continues fighting for justice so that the atrocities committed during the war are not forgotten and never happen again.