The UN-sponsored truth commission stated that the Guatemalan army identified indigenous Mayans as an “internal enemy”, seeing them as a base of guerrilla support. In the Ixil region, between 70 and 90 percent of the communities were wiped out during this period.
With the trial of a former president for genocide and crimes against humanity, Guatemala is following other Latin American countries that have sought justice for historic human rights abuses.
Former senator Russ Feingold’s appointment as U.S. Special Representative to the African Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signals positive changes in Central Africa.
If a trial for international crimes is stopped due to an amnesty, would a subsequent retrial violate the double jeopardy principle?
Guatemala’s current president has joined those warning against a finding of genocide in the trial of former military dictator Efrain Rios Montt.
