Guatemala: Amnesty for former dictator would give green light to genocide

Guatemala: Amnesty for former dictator would give green light to genocide
24 October 2013

Reports that Guatemala may open the door to an amnesty for former President Effrain Ríos Montt would be a travesty of justice and send the country back more than a decade, said Amnesty International.

Ríos Montt is facing a re-trial for genocide and crimes against humanity.

“This is an alarming new development that, if confirmed, would set the country back decades. Amnesties can never be applied to genocide and crimes against humanity,” said Sebastian Elgueta, Guatemala researcher at Amnesty International.

“With such a decision, Guatemala’s authorities would destroy, with one signature, decades of progress when it comes to justice for the tens of thousands of people who died and were disappeared during the dark years of the conflict.”

According to media reports, Guatemala’s Constitutional Court has ordered that more details be provided as to why Ríos Montt’s request for amnesty was refused. This raises the possibility that amnesty is being seriously considered, closing the case against him and others facing similar charges.

More:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/guatemala-amnesty-former-dictator-would-give-green-light-genocide-2013-10-24