Truth, Justice, and Impunity
We support Guatemalan partners’ quest for justice and an end to impunity for crimes against humanity committed and crimes of genocide during internal armed conflict. We also support their efforts to challenge the entrenchment of abuse, corruption and human rights violations in Guatemalan society. We see gender justice as an intrinsic aspect in this work. Our efforts focus on amplifying the voice of our partners and providing mechanisms of support in relation to cases of transitional justice, as well as criminalization and imprisonment of land and human rights defenders.
Some subthemes in this area include support for victims and survivors of crimes of genocide and crimes of humanity during the Internal Armed Conflict, in particular the Achí genocide; crimes committed by the state, such as the fire at the Hogar Virgin de Asunsion; and continued pressure of Guatemalan and international authorities for stronger instutituons and an end to impunity.
Related posts about truth, justice, and impunity
Day 5: Rancho Bejuco Trial – Testimonies Speak to Genocidal Violence, Role of Parallel Forces
The court buildings where hearings are taking place. Photo credit: Lenora June 15, 2023 Written by Lenora A Pattern of Genocidal Violence Four witnesses shared recorded testimonies today. While the sound was not very good and it is preferable to have the witness present, it was crucial to [...]
Day 4: Rancho Bejuco Trial – Survivors Continue to Share Painful Testimony
June 14, 2023 Written by Lenora [Content warning: Survivor testimony contains graphic and disturbing descriptions of the aftermath of the massacre.] Three more witnesses from Rabinal gave testimonies today. Three Witnesses Remember the Family Members They Lost, Demand Justice The first witness, Paulina Alvarado Ixpatá, is one of the 36 [...]
Day 3: Rancho Bejuco Trial – Survivors, Expert Witnesses Speak
June 13, 2023 Written by Lenora [Content warning: Survivor testimony contains graphic descriptions of the aftermath of the massacre.] Today witnesses for the prosecution continued to provide testimony in the Rancho Bejuco case. As a reminder, 11 men stand accused in the Rancho Bejuco massacre. On July 29, 1982, 10 [...]
Day 2: Rancho Bejuco Trial – Prosecution’s Expert Witnesses Testify
Monday, June 12, 2023 Written by María Photos of the victims from the massacre of Rancho Bejuco posted on the wall surrounding the cemetery in Rabinal, BV. (Photo Credits: Verdad y Justicia) First Expert Witness Describes Military Structure, Campaigns and Chain of Command On the second day of [...]
Day 1: Rancho Bejuco Massacre Trial Opens
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Written by Lisa A monument at the Rabinal cemetery honors the Rancho Bejuco massacre victims. Photo credit: Lisa Rankin Today, the High Risk Court D's three judge panel opened the trial for the Rancho Bejuco case in Guatemala City. The trial is for the [...]
Cooperant Update: The Struggle for Justice Continues in Rabinal Vecinos Case
The Rabinal Community Legal Clinic (ABJP). Photo credit: Sabrina Jeria By: Sabrina Jeria, a cooperant with the Rabinal Community Legal Clinic Ongoing Threats to the Struggle for Justice Almost every day, a new headline demonstrates the ongoing dismantling of the rule of law and the erosion of Guatemala’s [...]