Geoff Hoon (Minister of State (Europe), Foreign & Commonwealth Office) | Hansard source

We are in close contact, and discuss human rights regularly, with the Guatemalan Government, our EU partners and a wide range of human rights organisations. The human rights situation has improved since the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996, following 36 years of conflict. However, we are concerned by the security and human rights situation, the growth of organised crime, the activities of gangs (called maras) and widespread impunity which threatens the rule of law in Guatemala. We are also concerned by attacks on human rights defenders and the increase in violence against women.

We will continue to press the Guatemalan authorities to implement in full the 1996 Peace Accords, investigate reports of human rights abuses thoroughly and tackle impunity.