B4-0497, 0513, 0518, 0533, 0541, 0565 and 0566/94

Resolution on support for the peace process in Guatemala

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its earlier resolutions on the situation in Guatemala, and reiterating its concern as regards respect for human rights and the over-riding need to reach a peace agreement and put an end to the bloody civil war which has ravaged Guatemalan society for more than 34 years, claiming over 100 000 victims,

-having regard, in particular, to its resolution of 10 February 1994 on establishing peace and justice in Guatemala, in the context of the onset of the negotiations held throughout 1994 between the Government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity Movement (URNG),

A.concerned at the events of November 1994 arising from the rise in public transport fares, which caused a number of deaths and left numerous people wounded,

B.deploring the abuses of power and human rights violations which, owing to the persistence of the armed conflict, are continuing in Guatemala, and disturbed at the excesses perpetrated against street children and certain trade unionists,

C.condemning the acts of terrorism and sabotage against persons and national infrastructure,

D.concerned at the difficulties encountered to date in reaching substantive agreement in certain key areas of the negotiations, especially as regards the rights and identity of the indigenous peoples,

E.having regard to the crucial importance of the agreement signed in Mexico City on 10 January 1994 for the resumption of the negotiations between the Guatemalan Government and the URNG,

F.endorsing the global agreement on human rights and the agreement for a timetable for the negotiations for a stable and lasting peace in Guatemala, signed by both sides in Mexico on 29 March 1994,

G.endorsing the agreements signed in Oslo on 17 and 23 June 1994 on the resettlement of the populations displaced by the armed conflict and the establishment of a 'commission on the past',

H.concerned at the delays experienced so far in the peace negotiations, and aware of the fact that it will be impossible to conclude them as planned by the end of 1994; stresses the urgent need to continue with all efforts to reach a final agreement as soon as possible,

1.Calls on both the Government of Guatemala and the URNG to overcome the obstacles to the negotiations and show proof of the firm commitment required if the negotiations are to be advanced, thereby assuming their historic responsibility at this time, and to take the decisive step required to sign the peace agreement as soon as possible;

2.Urges both parties to implement an immediate ceasefire until the negotiating process has been concluded;

3.Calls on the 'group of friendly nations' and the international community to offer their express support and to put maximum pressure on both sides to ensure a successful conclusion to the negotiations;

4.Insists on the need to reach agreement on the main areas of negotiation still outstanding, i.e.:

-the rights and identity of the indigenous communities;

-the question of land ownership;

- the socio-economic situation in Guatemala, especially as regards education and culture;

-the need to introduce constitutional amendments in line with the terms of the peace agreement.

5.Draws attention to the need for the indigenous peoples of Guatemala to be fully represented in the discussion and implementation of all agreements affecting them;

6.Expresses its appreciation of the endeavours of the Assembly of Civilian Sectors, chaired by Mgr Rodolfo Quesada Toruño;

7.Recognizes the efforts which have been made - and which should be redoubled so as to control the excesses of certain elements in the armed forces - by President Ramiro de León Carpio, in his capacity as former human rights ombudsman; also endorses the flexible attitude displayed by the URNG leadership with a view to progress in the peace negotiations;

8.Welcomes the establishment, at long last, of the UN mission for Guatemala, and awaits with interest the steps it takes to carry out its mandate of monitoring the human rights situation in Guatemala;

9.Hopes that the "commission on the past" will be given an adequate mandate and enough resources and that those found to be responsible for human rights violations and abuses will be brought to justice.

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Government of Guatemala, the URNG, the President of the Central American Parliament, the President of the Latin American Parliament, the Secretary-General of the OAS and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.