The struggle against impunity in Guatemala

Part of a special issue on state terrorism and impunity in Latin America. The writer examines Guatemala's impunity for gross violations of human rights, focusing on the recent internal armed conflict (1962-1996) and the effort to build peace after December 1996. He discusses three categories of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mejía, Raúl Molina (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 1999
In: Social justice
Year: 1999, Volume: 26, Issue: 4, Pages: 55-83
Online Access: Volltext (Publisher)
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Summary:Part of a special issue on state terrorism and impunity in Latin America. The writer examines Guatemala's impunity for gross violations of human rights, focusing on the recent internal armed conflict (1962-1996) and the effort to build peace after December 1996. He discusses three categories of impunity in light of developments between 1992 and 1999: structural impunity, strategic impunity, and political/psychological impunity. He argues that although Guatemalan peace accords contain clear opposition to any sort of impunity, it is so entrenched in the country's political life that even the accords have been thwarted by powerful groups aiming to avoid prosecution and punishment. Furthermore, he considers impunity after the signing of the Firm and Lasting Peace Accord, presents specific examples of the ineffectiveness of the judicial system, and outlines the Guatemalan path toward ending impunity for violators of human rights.
ISSN:2327-641X