GUATEMALA: UN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES ‘HISTORIC’ GENOCIDE CONVICTION OF FORMER MILITARY LEADER

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 13 May 2013 13:00:01 -0400
Subject: GUATEMALA: UN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES 'HISTORIC' GENOCIDE
CONVICTION OF FORMER MILITARY LEADER
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

GUATEMALA: UN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES 'HISTORIC' GENOCIDE CONVICTION OF
FORMER MILITARY LEADERNew York, May 13 2013 1:00PMThe top United
Nations human rights official today welcomed the conviction of José
Efraín Ríos Montt, Guatemala's former de facto head of State, to 80
years in prison for genocide and crimes against humanity.

"Guatemala has made history by becoming the first country in the world
to convict a former head of State for genocide in its own national
court," <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13319&LangID=E">said
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who added that the
trial was of "monumental" national and global importance in the fight
against impunity.

"I salute the victims, relatives and survivors whose courage and
perseverance made this possible against all odds, as well as the
lawyers, prosecutors and judges who carried out their duties under
exceptionally difficult circumstances in the face of serious threats
and intimidation."

Mr. Ríos Montt was sentenced on Friday to 80 years for his leading
role in the killing of 1,771 people during his time in office between
1982 and 1983, as well as for the forced displacement, starvation,
torture, and systematic rape and sexual assault that were deliberately
inflicted on Guatemala's Mayan Ixil communities.

The Guatemalan court found that the crimes were committed in
accordance with military plans intended to exterminate those who were
considered "enemies," which included not only guerrillas but also the
civilian Ixil community that the authorities perceived to be
supporting them.

The three-judge panel concluded that Mr. Ríos Montt had ordered the
plans that led to the genocide, had full knowledge of the atrocities
committed, and did nothing to stop them despite having the power to do
so. In all, some 200,000 people – over 80 per cent of them of
indigenous Mayan origin – were killed during the 36-year-long war, but
the period of Ríos Montt's rule is considered one of the bloodiest in
the conflict.

"Despite all the obstacles, interruptions and numerous legal
challenges which slowed down the trial, Guatemala has shown the world,
and even more importantly its own people, that it is possible to
address past crimes and bring justice," Ms. Pillay said. "This
historic verdict shows that no one is above the law, and that
Guatemala's institutions have the strength and solidity to carry this
through – provided there is the will to do so."

Ms. Pillay urged the Guatemalan authorities to continue to provide
effective security for all those involved in the trial, including
lawyers, prosecutors, victims, witnesses and human rights defenders.
She also urged respect for the verdict and sentence and continued
adherence to due process of law.

"Guatemala can now truly begin to heal the wounds of the past, as the
suffering of so many people has been formally recognised," she said.
"Now the country has shown that justice for serious international
crimes can – and should – take place anywhere and everywhere that they
occur.

"This trial will bring encouragement to people all over the world
struggling for justice for crimes committed thirty years ago, and for
crimes being committed today. For this reason, the trial and
conviction of Ríos Montt has been of monumental importance at the
international as well as the national level."May 13 2013 1:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://apps.facebook.com/faceblogged/?uid=1340855784
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/presidentus1