For those that don't already know, on the 5th October 2005 the Constitutional Court in Spain accepted the principal of Universal Jurisdiction for the case presented to them by Rigoberta Menchú, against the goverments of Guatemala between 1962 and 1996, citing acts of genocide, terriorism and torture. 

 

On 3rd April 2006, Guatemalan judge Saul Alvarez announced that both witnesses and those implicated in these cases have been summoned to give evidence, with a view to the commissions (la comisión rogatoria) visit in June/July 2006.  Ex-presidents Efrain Rios Montt and Humberto Mejía Victores are scheduled to give evidence on 28th June 2006.

 

The Coordination for International Accompaniment in Guatemala (CAIG), which includes ACOGUATE, consider that witnesses giving testimony will be greatly at risk at during this time and  therefore wish to increase the presence of accompaniers in the communities where we already accompany witnesses.  They also anticipate an increase in demand for accompaniment by organisations who are involved in supporting this process.

 

More accompaniers are urgently needed as soon as possible. CAIG would particularly like to see experienced accompaniers return, if possible. There will still be a requirement to attend refresher training and stay for a minimum of 3 months. However, for anyone that would be able to do this, this will be a very interesting and important time in the struggle for justice in Guatemala and in the development of the genocide cases.

 

For more information about becoming an international accompanier: click here.