28 February 2023
On 24 February, Guatemalan victims and survivors of the armed conflict held a Mayan ceremony in front of the Supreme Court, and filed an appeal against the participation of Zury Ríos, daughter of former dictator Ríos Montt, in the electoral process.
On the occasion of the National Day for the Dignity of the Victims of Guatemala’s Armed Conflict (held annually on 25 February), dozens of survivors from indigenous communities traveled to Guatemala City to demand their rights to truth, justice, and reparation, and publicly rejected the registration of Zury Ríos in the electoral process. Recently, the Electoral Court admitted the registration of Zury Ríos as a presidential candidate, even though the Constitution establishes that the children and relatives of coup leaders cannot run for presidency. Ríos Montt was convicted for genocide in 2013.
Victims fear that Zury Ríos could promote an amnesty law for the crimes of the armed conflict, and could take reprisals against the victims and the human rights organisations that brought her father to justice. In addition, they consider that eventually Zury Ríos could promote the remilitarisation of indigenous communities and limit the work of human rights organisations.
During the march, the Guatemalan victims also delivered letters to Congress and to President Giamatteii to demand that the National Compensation Program function, during the last three years it has not repaired a single victim. In addition, they asked the government to extend the mandate of the program for another ten years.
Victims also honoured the memory of Monsignor Juan José Gerardi, who was brutally murdered 25 years ago, after presenting the truth report of the Catholic Church. IW’s team accompanied the victims’ organisations in these activities.
Read more: “We Struggle With Dignity: Victims’ Participation in Transitional Justice in Guatemala”
This study examines victims’ participation in policies surrounding transitional justice (TJ) in Guatemala, as well as the impact of these policies on victims and communities affected by violence.