Guatemala City. - Yesterday the Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon announced that the UN agreed to extend the mission of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, for two more years. The Guatemalan Government had requested the extension of the mandate of CICIG previously.
CICIG´s mandate is to help to investigate the activities of illegal armed groups in Guatemala and to propose necessary legislation to be able to effectively prosecute cases. CICIG has started the investigation of high-impact cases. Crimes related to narco organized crime, corruption of ex-military, prosecution of ex-president Portillo, ex- Fiscal supervisors, investigations of judges and prosecutors accused of corruption. An important number of suspects have been arrested and the processing of the cases in the judicial system has begun.
CICIG´s mandate will continue until September 4, 2011.
"The important thing achieved by the extension at this time, is to be sure that CICIG will continue its work in Guatemala. The criminals will consider this as a threat. But our only threat is that we will enforce the rule of law, as it should be in a democracy, "said the Director of CICIG, Carlos Castresana.
At the official ceremony yesterday in Guatemala, after the announcement of Un Secretary Ban Ki-moon, President Alvaro Colom reiterated his gratitude to the international community. He stated: "This extension of the mandate of CICIG, will allow the strengthening of the National Agreement for Advancement of Security and Justice, which state agencies have signed."
On March 20, the Government of Guatemala, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had asked the UN to extend the mandate of CICIG ending on September 4 this year. On April 15, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon sent a letter approving the extension.
The creation of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, was approved by Decree 35-2007 of the Congress with the votes of 110 deputies and began its work officially on September 4, 2007.
The International community was present a the official ceremony and expressed their satisfaction of this achievement.
CICIG operates with financial support of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Spain, U.S., Finland, Holland, Norway, England, Sweden and Switzerland among others.
Photo Presidential Press Office
