|
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
During its last in loco visit to Guatemala in November 1992, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights had planned to visit the Quiché area, where the Communities of the Population in Resistance reside. The visit did not materialize at that time. Nonetheless, Guatemala's authorities agreed that the Commission could conduct a future visit to that area. In its final press communique of the November mission, the Commission announced that the future visit would take place during the first quarter of 1993.
Subsequently, the Commission proposed to the Government that the dates of April 23-24, 1993 be set for that visit. On March 31, 1993 the Government informed the Commission that it wished to postpone the visit, as it was not considered prudent to hold it at this time in consideration of the negotiations taking place with the URNG (Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union) in Mexico within the framework of the peace process.
The IACHR is continuing its discussions with the Government of Guatemala in order to arrange a visit to those Communities as soon as possible, consistent with the Government's assurances. The Commission would like to be in the Quiché area soon in order that the goals of the visit are not frustrated. In this way the Commission may fulfill its mandate to promote and defend the enjoyment of human rights, the role assigned by the American Convention to which Guatemala is a party.
Washington, D.C., April 16, 1993
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
In response to an invitation from the Government of El Salvador, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights made arrangements for an on-site visit to El Salvador from 26 to 29 April, 1993. The visit was to take place pursuant to the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights, of which El Salvador is a State Party, and had been previously approved by the Government through a note of March 18, 1993.
Under the pertinent statutory provisions, the Government of El Salvador had undertaken to grant the Commission all facilities necessary for its mission. Accordingly, on March 30, 1993, the Commission dispatched a draft schedule of meetings to the government authorities, in which it suggested the names of persons who would be interviewed by the Inter-American Commission, without prejudice to the Government putting forward additional names.
However, one week before the Commission's visit was due to begin, and after the entire schedule of meetings with the nongovernmental sector had been confirmed, the Government of El Salvador, in a letter dated April 19, 1993, claimed that the interviews and meetings requested had not been confirmed since most of the officials in charge of the Offices of the institutions to be visited had previous engagements, either at home or abroad, that could not be canceled. The letter ended with a proposal that the Commission's on-site visit be postponed to a date to be determined later on.
This attitude certainly constitutes a failure on the part of the Government to meet previously accepted commitments, and conduct that is at variance with the repeated declarations of good faith and cooperation with the Commission.
The Commission is deeply saddened by the Government's unexpected cancellation of the visit, and trusts that all sectors concerned with the situation in El Salvador would support the task of the Commission, which will shortly be preparing a special report on the human rights situation in El Salvador.
Washington, D.C., April 21, 1993
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States expresses its satisfaction for the recent verdict of the Supreme Court of Bolivia, which severely condemned the military and civilians who executed the coup in Bolivia in 1980, and committed grave human rights violations during the period of their government.
The historical verdict by the Supreme Court of Bolivia on April 21st, of this year, following a trial which lasted almost a decade, sentenced the "de facto" ex President, Luis Garcia Meza, to 30 years imprisonment, as well as his ex-Minister of the Interior, Colonel of the Army, Luis Arce Meza, and imposed tough sentences on the majority of his cabinet members. Sentences of 20 and 30 years of imprisonment were imposed on members of the paramilitary forces, for the commission of, as well as aiding and abetting, murders and sedition. In addition, their assets were frozen and fines were imposed.
The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States opportunely deplored the coup and the human rights violations committed there. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for its part, published an extensive special report on the human rights situation in Bolivia in 1981, which denounced the numerous violations carried out by that government and its agents, demanding an investigation, and condemnation "with full rigor of the law" for those responsible and the prompt restoration of democratic institutions.
The Commission believes that the Courts of Bolivia have demonstrated their capacity and will to defend the principles of democracy by way of this historic judgment. The Commission also wishes to underscore the importance of the joint actions of its various branches of the Organization in defending the principles contained in the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights.
Washington, D.C., May 11, 1993
|