Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories : situation of human rights in Guatemala.
- Author: UN Commission on Human Rights (39th sess. : 1983 : Geneva)
- Document source:
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Date:
8 March 1983
1983/37. Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories - Situation of human rights in Guatemala[1]86
The Commission on Human Rights, Reiterating that the Governments of all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, Conscious of its responsibility to take action with regard to situations of gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms wherever they occur, Recalling its resolution 1982/31 of 11 March 1982, Noting General Assembly resolution 37/184 of 17 December 1982, Recalling in particular its request that a Special Rapporteur be appointed to make a thorough study of the human rights situation in Guatemala, Noting the repeated assurances of the Government of Guatemala that it would co-operate with a Special Rapporteur, Noting the numerous reports which have been submitted to the Centre for Hunan Rights of the United Nations Secretariat relating to the continuing, serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Guatemala, Disturbed by recent reports of executions on orders of special courts in spite of the announcement by the Government of Guatemala that such executions would be suspended,1. Reiterates its profound concern at the continuing reports of massive violations of human rights taking place in Guatemala, particularly reports of violence against non-combatants, widespread repression, and killing and massive displacement of rural and indigenous people;
2. Urges the Government of Guatemala to take effective measures to ensure that all its authorities and agencies, including its security forces, fully respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens and equally urges all parties concerned to respect the rights of non-combatants;
3. Calls upon the Government of Guatemala to suspend immediately any executions ordered by special courts;
4. Calls upon Governments to refrain from supplying arms and other military assistance as long as serious human rights violations in Guatemala continue to be reported;
5. Appeals to all parties concerned in Guatemala to ensure the application of international humanitarian rules of law to protect the civilian population and to seek an end to all acts of violence;
6. Calls on the Government of Guatemala to facilitate the entrance of representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross into the country and to investigate the fate of disappeared persons with a view to informing their relatives of their whereabouts;
7. Expresses its disappointment that a Special Rapporteur of the Commission has not been in a position to make a thorough study of the human rights situation in Guatemala for presentation to the Commission at its thirty-ninth session;
8. Requests once again that the Chairman appoint with the shortest possible delay, after consultation with the Bureau, a Special Rapporteur of the Commission whose mandate will be to make a thorough study of the human rights situation in Guatemala, based on all information which he may deem relevant, including any comments and information which the Government of Guatemala may wish to submit;
9. Requests that the Special Rapporteur present an interim report to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session and a final report to the Commission at its fortieth session;
10. Trusts that the Government of Guatemala will fulfil its stated intention of co-operating with the Special Reporter;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special Rapporteur;
12. Decides to continue the examination of the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Guatemala at its fortieth session.
[1]86 Adopted at the 52nd meeting, on 8 March 1983, by a roll-call vote of 27 to 4, with 12 abstentions. See chap. X.
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