International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala
Encyclopedia
The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala is an international body charged with investigating and prosecuting serious crime in Guatemala
. It was created on December 12, 2006, when the United Nations
and Guatemala, under the government of Óscar Berger
, signed a treaty-level agreement setting up CICIG as an independent body to support the Public Prosecutor's Office (Procuraduría General de la Nación), the National Civilian Police (Policía Nacional Civil) and other state institutions in the investigation of a limited number of sensitive and difficult cases. The ultimate goal is that through CICIG's work, national judicial sector institutions will be strengthened to continue to confront illegal groups and organized crime in the future.
CICIG's mandate consists of three principal objectives:
CICIG has the legal ability to support the Public Prosecutor's Office in criminal prosecutions, and participate as a complementary prosecutor (querellante adhesivo), in conformity with Guatemala's Code of Criminal Procedure. CICIG also has legal standing to make administrative complaints against public officials, in particular when officials have committed acts with the purpose to obstructing its mandate, and can act as an interested third party in disciplinary procedures initiated against such officials.
On March 24, 2009, Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Relations, Haroldo Rodas
, requested, through a personal letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the extension of CICIG's mandate for an additional two years. The extension was confirmed on April 15, 2009 when Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
sent a personal response to the Minister of Foreign Relations, expressing the UN's desire to have CICIG continue its work supporting national institutions for another two years. CICIG's mandate will continue until September 4, 2011.
in 2009, which almost brought down the government of Álvaro Colom
.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
. It was created on December 12, 2006, when the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and Guatemala, under the government of Óscar Berger
Óscar Berger
Óscar José Rafael Berger Perdomo, born on 11 August 1946 in Guatemala City, is a former President of Guatemala.-Early years:Of Belgian descent, Berger was born to an upper class family with large sugar and coffee holdings...
, signed a treaty-level agreement setting up CICIG as an independent body to support the Public Prosecutor's Office (Procuraduría General de la Nación), the National Civilian Police (Policía Nacional Civil) and other state institutions in the investigation of a limited number of sensitive and difficult cases. The ultimate goal is that through CICIG's work, national judicial sector institutions will be strengthened to continue to confront illegal groups and organized crime in the future.
CICIG's mandate consists of three principal objectives:
- First, CICIG shall investigate the existence of illicit security forces and clandestine organizations that commit crimes that affect the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Guatemala, and identify the illegal group structures (including links between state officials and organized crime), activities, modes of operation and sources of financing.
- Second, CICIG's professional personnel shall support the work of Guatemalan institutions, principally the Attorney General in his work to investigate and prosecute the individuals involved in the illegal groups. Additionally, CICIG will make recommendations to the Government for the adoption of new public policies and procedures directed at the eradication of these groups and will strengthen the state's capacity to protect the basic human rights of its citizens.
- Third, CICIG shall provide technical assistance to legal institutions in order to leave the Public Prosecutor's Office and National Civilian Police better equipped to fight organized crime after the conclusion of CICIG's mandate.
CICIG has the legal ability to support the Public Prosecutor's Office in criminal prosecutions, and participate as a complementary prosecutor (querellante adhesivo), in conformity with Guatemala's Code of Criminal Procedure. CICIG also has legal standing to make administrative complaints against public officials, in particular when officials have committed acts with the purpose to obstructing its mandate, and can act as an interested third party in disciplinary procedures initiated against such officials.
On March 24, 2009, Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Relations, Haroldo Rodas
Haroldo Rodas
Roger Haroldo Rodas Melgar is a Guatemalan diplomat and the current foreign minister in the cabinet of President Álvaro Colom.He previously served as vice-minister for foreign affairs from 1 January 1991 to 30 June 1992....
, requested, through a personal letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the extension of CICIG's mandate for an additional two years. The extension was confirmed on April 15, 2009 when Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
sent a personal response to the Minister of Foreign Relations, expressing the UN's desire to have CICIG continue its work supporting national institutions for another two years. CICIG's mandate will continue until September 4, 2011.
Notable investigations
CICIG was instrumental in investigating the death of Rodrigo Rosenberg MarzanoRodrigo Rosenberg Marzano
Rodrigo Rosenberg Marzano was a Guatemalan attorney. Before his death, Rosenberg recorded a video message saying if he were murdered, Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President of Guatemala, would have been directly responsible. His subsequent killing caused a national uproar...
in 2009, which almost brought down the government of Álvaro Colom
Álvaro Colom
Álvaro Colom Caballeros is the President of Guatemala for the 2008–2012 term and leader of the social-democratic National Unity of Hope .-Early years:...
.