CP/RES. 950 (1691/09)

SITUATION IN GUATEMALA

(Adopted at the meeting of May 13, 2009)
 

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

HAVING HEARD the presentation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala on the current situation in the country, which may undermine the stability of the democratic constitutional order in Guatemala;

CONCERNED about the recent, serious acts of violence against the lives and safety of Guatemalans;

MINDFUL of the commitment by the inter-American system to safeguard on a permanent basis the stability of the democratic institutions of its member states and full respect for human rights in the Hemisphere; and

REAFFIRMING that the strengthening and preservation of the democratic institutional system in the member states is an essential purpose of the Organization, which calls for hemispheric solidarity,

RESOLVES:
1. To support the constitutional government of Guatemala in its obligation to preserve the democratic institutional system and the effective exercise of the rule of law.

2. To welcome the commitment by the Government of Guatemala to investigate and clarify the recent events, defend lawfulness, avoid impunity, and ensure the effective exercise of constitutional guarantees and the full validity of democratic institutions; and to recognize its efforts in this regard.

3. To take note of the request made by the Government of Guatemala to the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) to support the investigation and clarification of the events.

4. To repudiate any act of violence that may lead to a situation of political instability or of unrest among the population, disrupting law and order and social harmony.

5. To request the Government of Guatemala to continue reporting on developments in that country in order to take appropriate measures to strengthen and preserve the democratic institutional system.

6. To request the Secretary General to offer the Organization’s full cooperation, at the request of the Government of Guatemala, to strengthen and preserve the democratic institutional system in Guatemala.