Guatemala: Ross Montt verdict annulled

24 May 2013

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville

Amid continued legal uncertainty about what the ruling of the Constitutional Court annulling the verdict on the Rios Montt case means in practice, we are concerned about the right of victims in Guatemala to obtain remedies, and recall States' obligations to prosecute those responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On 10 May, the High Commissioner welcomed the sentence by the first instance court, and saluted the victims, relatives and survivors whose courage and perseverance made this possible against all odds, as well as the lawyers, prosecutors and judges who carried out their duties under exceptionally difficult circumstances in the face of serious threats and intimidation.

The victims have waited three decades for justice for atrocities committed against the Ixil population, and it is unfortunate that a verdict of such importance has been annulled on procedural grounds. We hope that at the end of the day, this extremely important trial will be decided on its merits.

ENDS

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