Resolution on the proceedings against Rios Montt, Guatemala

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the proceedings against Ríos Montt.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.

The resolution recalls the allegations of crimes against humanity and genocide during the armed conflict in Guatemala, according to which 83% of the victims of the conflict were of Mayan ethnic origin, 200 000 people were murdered and 45 000 suffered enforced disappearances, 10% of the population was displaced and entire indigenous communities were eradicated.

Those accused of planning and committing the above-mentioned crimes have never been brought before a court and some of them continue to hold high political office.

The Parliament considers that those crimes should not remain unpunished and urges the Guatemalan institutions to cooperate fully and do everything in their power to shed light on human rights violations and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that the findings of investigations are made public, as called for in the international arrest warrant issued on 7 July 2006 by the Spanish Audiencia Nacional against José Efraín Ríos Montt, among others, all of whom are accused of crimes of genocide, torture, terrorism and illegal detention.

The governments and the management of the relevant banking entities concerned are called upon to cooperate in sequestrating the goods and property of the defendants. Interpol and Europol are called upon, in the event of a request being made by the appropriate authorities, to provide the necessary means to ensure extradition.

MEPs consider that, should these proceedings be brought to a successful conclusion, the same procedure should be followed under similar circumstances in taking action against dictators and persons responsible for mass human rights violations.