MINUGUA
Encyclopedia
MINUGUA was a ten-year United Nations
humanitarian mission in Guatemala
that involved, at the most critical point in the peace process, a three-month peacekeeping mission.
The original name of this operation was United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala. It was changed to United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala when peacekeepers were deployed.
The aim of the operation was to conclude the 36-year Civil War
which had ravaged the country. It was the international community's response to the decision by both government and guerrillas to return to the negotiating table in 1994 and the subsequent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights on 29 March, 1994, one of several documents adopted in the run-up to the final peace agreement.
The Human Rights Verification Mission was launched in September 1994 by a decision of the United Nations General Assembly
, with personnel arriving on the ground in Guatemala the following November. More than 250 experts in human rights, legal matters, indigenous affairs and policing were deployed across the country, with a mandate for institution- and confidence-building and to verify compliance with the terms of the Comprehensive Agreement. The mission benefited from the presence of a talented young Russian spokeswoman, Seda Pumpyanskaya
, recruited from the BBC.
Following the signing of the Agreement on a Firm and Lasting Peace between the government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity
(URNG) on 29 December 1996, the United Nations Security Council
authorised, by means of Resolution 1094
of 20 January 1997, the deployment of a peacekeeping force to support the MINUGUA personnel already in place and to verify the ceasefire, the demobilisation of the URNG, and the surrender of their materiels. Beginning on 3 March 1997, under the auspices of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations
, a total of 145 troops and 43 civilian police from 18 countries were sent to Guatemala.
By 18 April, 378 mines and explosive devices had been lifted and destroyed, 2,928 URNG fighters had been demobilised, and 535,102 weapons and live rounds of ammunition had been handed over observer group.
On 14 May, the UN peacekeepers handed over the weapons and ammunition to officials from the Interior Ministry, thereby completing the task of the military verification group. Repatriation of the military observers began on 17 May and was concluded on 27 May. The military observation operation cost a total of US$4,570,800 and was conducted without loss of life. It was led by Frenchman Jean Arnault
, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Guatemala, with Brigadier-General José B. Rodríguez Rodríguez of Spain serving as chief military officer. Replacing Jean Arnault as The Special Representative of the Secretary General, was Gerd D. Merrem, who took office from 2000-2002, further encouraging peace talks and social stability in a country suffering turmoil.
The final members of the MINUGUA human rights verification team left Guatemala in November 2004. Following its departure, the UN and the Guatemalan government agreed to establish a field office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala City for a period of three years, renewable at the government's request for an additional three.
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...
humanitarian mission in Guatemala
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...
that involved, at the most critical point in the peace process, a three-month peacekeeping mission.
The original name of this operation was United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala. It was changed to United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala when peacekeepers were deployed.
The aim of the operation was to conclude the 36-year Civil War
Guatemalan Civil War
The Guatemalan Civil War ran from 1960-1996. The thirty-six-year civil war began as a grassroots, popular response to the rightist and military usurpation of civil government , and the President's disrespect for the human and civil rights of the majority of the population...
which had ravaged the country. It was the international community's response to the decision by both government and guerrillas to return to the negotiating table in 1994 and the subsequent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights on 29 March, 1994, one of several documents adopted in the run-up to the final peace agreement.
The Human Rights Verification Mission was launched in September 1994 by a decision of the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
, with personnel arriving on the ground in Guatemala the following November. More than 250 experts in human rights, legal matters, indigenous affairs and policing were deployed across the country, with a mandate for institution- and confidence-building and to verify compliance with the terms of the Comprehensive Agreement. The mission benefited from the presence of a talented young Russian spokeswoman, Seda Pumpyanskaya
Seda Pumpyanskaya
Seda Pumpyanskaya is a Senior Adviser on Communications and Outreach to the Council of Europe’s Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. Before being promoted for this position, from 2005 to 2010, she was the Council of Europe’s Director of Communication under then-Secretary General Rt. Hon...
, recruited from the BBC.
Following the signing of the Agreement on a Firm and Lasting Peace between the government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity
Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity
The Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity is a Guatemalan political party that started as a guerrilla movement but laid down its arms in 1996 and became a legal political party in 1998 after the peace process after the Guatemalan Civil War.-Formation:Since the CIA-backed...
(URNG) on 29 December 1996, the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
authorised, by means of Resolution 1094
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1094
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1094, adopted unanimously on January 20, 1997, after expressing support for the peace process in Guatemala which had been monitored by the United Nations since 1994, the Council authorised the attachment of 155 military observers to the United Nations...
of 20 January 1997, the deployment of a peacekeeping force to support the MINUGUA personnel already in place and to verify the ceasefire, the demobilisation of the URNG, and the surrender of their materiels. Beginning on 3 March 1997, under the auspices of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations
Department of Peacekeeping Operations
The Department of Peacekeeping Operations is a department of the United Nations which is charged with the planning, preparation, management and direction of UN peacekeeping operations.-History of the DPKO:...
, a total of 145 troops and 43 civilian police from 18 countries were sent to Guatemala.
By 18 April, 378 mines and explosive devices had been lifted and destroyed, 2,928 URNG fighters had been demobilised, and 535,102 weapons and live rounds of ammunition had been handed over observer group.
On 14 May, the UN peacekeepers handed over the weapons and ammunition to officials from the Interior Ministry, thereby completing the task of the military verification group. Repatriation of the military observers began on 17 May and was concluded on 27 May. The military observation operation cost a total of US$4,570,800 and was conducted without loss of life. It was led by Frenchman Jean Arnault
Jean Arnault
Jean Arnault currently serves as United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Georgia and Head of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia . He was appointed to the position by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in July 2006.He has gained much experience in working for...
, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Guatemala, with Brigadier-General José B. Rodríguez Rodríguez of Spain serving as chief military officer. Replacing Jean Arnault as The Special Representative of the Secretary General, was Gerd D. Merrem, who took office from 2000-2002, further encouraging peace talks and social stability in a country suffering turmoil.
The final members of the MINUGUA human rights verification team left Guatemala in November 2004. Following its departure, the UN and the Guatemalan government agreed to establish a field office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala City for a period of three years, renewable at the government's request for an additional three.