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Article Excerpt
Many aspects of the 1996 peace accords have yet to be implemented, including reforms in the armed forces. Even as the military has been reduced in size, its budget continues to expand. The murder of an employee in a prominent human rights organization exemplifies a recent increase in human rights abuses. Little progress has been made in an investigation into the possible use by the vice president of government facilities to attack an administration critic. The investigation of money transfers to secret offshore bank accounts, allegedly made by the president and vice president, has also stalled.
Military still not in compliance with 1996 peace accords
In a December 2001 editorial, the daily Prensa Libre said the 1996 peace accords had done almost nothing except end the war in Guatemala. One reason is the loss of interest by the political parties, which have concentrated on their own internal struggles and electoral affairs, the newspaper said. A survey by the daily Siglo Veintiuno in May found that leaders of the six political parties in Congress were satisfied with their work and were focusing on the 2003 elections, even though the session does not end until January 2004.
Lacking are important reforms related to the peace accords such as legislation to guarantee indigenous peoples' participation in state institutions, legal recognition of indigenous languages, reforms in the land-registry system, and redefining the role of the military.
Last year, Alianza Nueva Nacion (ANN) Deputy Nineth Montenegro asked the UN to apply sanctions against President Alfonso Portillo's administration for authorizing a military budget larger than the maximum set by the accords. The accords required a one-third reduction in the military budget and an upper limit of 0.66% of GDP. The budget rose to 0.83% of GDP in...
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