A/HRC/37/9
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance
with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-eighth session from 6 to 17
November 2017. The review of Guatemala was held at the 6th meeting, on 8 November
2017. The delegation of Guatemala was headed by the President of the Presidential
Commission for Coordinating Executive Policy in the Field of Human Rights, Jorge Luis
Borrayo Reyes. At its 14th meeting, held on 14 November 2017, the Working Group
adopted the report on Guatemala.
2.
On 13 February 2017, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Guatemala: Croatia, Ecuador and India.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents
were issued for the review of Guatemala:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/GTM/1);
(b)
A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/28/GTM/2);
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/28/GTM/3 and Corr.1).
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Liechtenstein, Norway,
Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the
United States of America and Uruguay was transmitted to Guatemala through the troika.
These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A.
Presentation by the State under review
5.
The delegation of Guatemala reiterated its firm commitment to respecting,
guaranteeing and promoting human rights. It recalled the historic result of the peaceful
demonstrations the Guatemalan people had held at the national level in September 2015,
which had, without any bloodshed, led to the resignation of the President and VicePresident of the Republic of Guatemala. They had been accused of corruption and their
cases were currently before the national courts.
6.
The capacity of Guatemala to overcome that political crisis had demonstrated the
solidity of the Constitution and the proper functioning of State powers. Congress had
appointed a transition Government and the sovereign expression of the Guatemalan people
had culminated in the election of the fiftieth President of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales
Cabrera, for the period 2016–2020.
7.
Guatemala was grateful to all the States that had participated in its second universal
periodic review, and noted that of the recommendations issued at that review, it had
accepted 111 and noted 27. It had also made 5 voluntary commitments. Guatemala was
keen to report on the significant action it had taken to implement the recommendations.
8.
There were 63 State policies currently in force, 33 of which had been approved
between 2012 and 2017. A national human rights policy was currently being drafted for the
period 2017–2021.
9.
Guatemala made every effort to comply with its international commitments
concerning the submission of periodic reports to the United Nations human rights treaty
bodies and to facilitate the visits of the special procedures of the Council, among others.
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