B3-0156, 0170 and 0183/94

Resolution on establishing peace and justice in Guatemala

The European Parliament,

-recalling its previous resolutions on the situation in Guatemala, in which it expressed its concern about the human rights situation and its support for democracy and peace negotiations,

-mindful in particular of its resolution of 24 June 1993 on the situation in Guatemala, in which it congratulated the new President of Guatemala, Ramiro de León Carpio, expressing the hope that there would be progress with respect to guarantees for human rights and calling for the renewal of peace negotiations with the URNG (Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union),

A.congratulating the Government and the URNG on their agreement of 10 January 1994 in which both parties undertake to conclude an agreement in 1994,

B.recognizing the importance of the negotiations between the Government of Guatemala and the URNG which will be resumed in February 1994,

C.distressed that, according to the Procurador de los Derechos Humanos (magistrate responsible for human rights), reported human rights abuses almost doubled in 1993 although the number of "extra-judicial executions", "forced disappearances" and "illegal detentions" declined,

D.concerned about the recent conversion of the PACs (Civil Patrols) into Comités de Paz y Desarrollo (Peace and Development Committees), which according to national and international human rights organizations could serve to strengthen their control over the communities,

E.aware that the referendum of 30 January 1994 has opened the way to new congressional elections which should enable President León Carpio to press ahead with his reforms, while fully respecting the Constitution,

F.welcoming the first financial contribution by the Guatemalan Government to the Fondo Indígena and the Fundación Vicente Menchu, which represents the interests of the indigenous people and stressing the importance of this fund being administered by the indigenous people themselves,

G.saluting the courage of all those in Guatemala who campaign for human rights in a country which in the recent past has been the scene of appalling crimes on a large scale,

1.Insists on the importance for the future of Guatemala, and of Central America as a whole, of the negotiations between the Government and the URNG succeeding in 1994;

2.Expresses its concern at the persistence of human rights violations in Guatemala and the continuing existence of the PACs, contrary to the recommendations of UN experts and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission that they should be dissolved;

3.Urges on the Government the importance of continuing the investigation and exposure of the crimes committed, often by members of the security forces, and the need to prosecute those believed to be responsible;

4.Calls on the URNG to end their sabotage of infrastructure, especially their attacks on oil pipelines which are causing serious damage to the tropical forests;

5.Recognizes the need to integrate the Comunidades de Población en Resistencia (people's resistance associations) into society and therefore welcomes the Government's recognition of their existence, but stresses the importance of guaranteeing their civil rights;

6.Urges the Guatemalan Government to demilitarize those areas designated as areas of return for the refugees in Mexico, and to ensure full guarantees for the safety of returning refugees as well as their free access to relief agencies, as agreed upon in the Accord concluded on 8 October 1992 with the refugees, which was ratified by the President last July, and all subsequent agreements since that day;

7.Calls on the Guatemalan President and Government to implement all international human rights treaties to which Guatemala adheres;

8.Welcomes the finance provided by the European Union to support the organizations for indigenous people in Central America, of which a large part is given for Guatemala, and stresses the importance of continuing this support long enough to ensure that the indigenous people have, for the first time, effective organizations to protect their interests;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Government of Guatemala, the President of the Central American Parliament and the Secretary-General of the OAS.