Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GUATEMALA1404
2005-06-02 22:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:  

GUATEMALAN CONGRESS APPROVES OHCHR RESIDENT OFFICE

Tags:  PHUM PREL EAID GT UN 
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022225Z Jun 05
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001404 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, IO/SHA, AND DRL/MLA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL EAID GT UN
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN CONGRESS APPROVES OHCHR RESIDENT OFFICE

REF: A. 2004 GUATEMALA 3288


B. 2004 GUATEMALA 3161

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001404

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, IO/SHA, AND DRL/MLA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL EAID GT UN
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN CONGRESS APPROVES OHCHR RESIDENT OFFICE

REF: A. 2004 GUATEMALA 3288


B. 2004 GUATEMALA 3161


1. Guatemala's Congress unanimously approved legislation May
31 to establish a resident office of the U.N. Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The resident
office is expected to start operations at the beginning of
July, providing technical and training assistance to
Guatemalan authorities and reporting to OHCHR headquarters in
Geneva on human rights developments in Guatemala. The OHCHR
resident office is expected to build upon the work of the
U.N. Verification Mission to Guatemala, which completed its
mandate and formally closed its doors at the end of calendar
year 2004.


2. Comment: Guatemala has a standing invitation to all
rapporteurs of the UNCHR. The establishment of the OHCHR
office is yet another signal of the GOG's openness to the
international community, even on the sensitive issue of human
rights. With this step, President Berger and Vice President
Stein demonstrate their commitment to the protection of human
rights and their willingness to expend effort and political
capital to do so, having negotiated compromises to resolve
the constitutional and political objections discussed refs
(A) and (B).
HAMILTON