Guatemala: Ruling on former president a positive step for justice [View all]

[naaman fletcher]

Monday's ruling that General Efraín Ríos Montt and his former head of military intelligence, General José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez, should stand trial for the massacre of almost 2,000 people in the 1980s is a crucial step towards justice, truth and reparation, Amnesty International said today.

Ríos Montt, who held power from March 1982 to August 1983, and Rodríguez Sánchez will be tried for their alleged responsibility over the deaths of the mainly Mayan villagers in a series of massacres during that period.

“This decision strengthens justice in Guatemala, as accountability for past crimes begins to emerge” said Sebastian Elgueta, Amnesty International researcher on Central America.

“What is important is to ensure justice, truth and reparation for the families and victims of thousand of other human rights violations.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/guatemala-ruling-former-president-positive-step-justice-2013-01-29