United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala

“ The National Transition Volunteers programme is another important component of the transition strategy. Beginning in the third quarter of 2003, up to 60 Guatemalans will eventually be brought into MINUGUA, at its headquarters and regional offices, as United Nations Volunteers, with priority being given to indigenous people and to those committed to working in provincial areas. They will receive intensive training, both formal and on-the-job, in the methodologies developed over the years by the Mission in the fulfilment of its mandate. ”

“ Advances tended to be overshadowed in the public eye, moreover, by negative developments, such as the worsening public security situation, persistent corruption, obstacles in the fight against impunity and an ongoing climate of intimidation against justice officials and human rights defenders. ”

“ The Mission has no illusions that the problems of the country’s weak institutions — both of the State and of civil society — can be solved in the short term, or that its efforts to strengthen capacities of key partners can, by themselves, lead to a revitalized peace process. Nonetheless, concerted efforts by Mission staff on specific issues with selected institutions — both at the Guatemala City headquarters and at field offices — are helping to consolidate skills. ”

“ The work of MINUGUA’s field offices will centre on the priority areas of human rights and demilitarization. With the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, they will verify high-impact human rights cases, monitor, analyse and report on developments in the regions related to the peace process; provide information and analysis on the peace agenda to newly elected local authorities and use good offices to facilitate relations between new local authorities and civil society organizations; provide limited follow-up for capacity-building with priority transition partners ”

“ Work with new Government authorities will be prioritized to encourage continued implementation of the peace agenda. Technical assistance will be focused on reinforcing key capacity-building efforts with transition partners begun in 2003, providing in-house training of Guatemalan United Nations Volunteers and continuing support for legislative initiatives through the Programme of Institutional Assistance for Legal Reform. ”

“ In large measure, technical assistance and the good offices role concerning indigenous rights will be absorbed by OHCHR. The Advisory Unit on Economic Policy and Rural Development has strengthened the capacities of State and civil society organizations in 2003 to advance key policy and legislative initiatives and build oversight capacities. In addition, UNDP will provide follow-on technical assistance on several issues, and the United Nations country team will provide annual monitoring on pending socio-economic commitments. ”

“ Each regional office will be headed by an international professional with extensive experience in the region, and its staff will include either an international United Nations Volunteer or a police observer. Subregional offices will also be led by experienced international professionals. All field offices will be staffed by Guatemalans recruited as part of the National Transition Volunteers programme. ”

“ An economic and social policy adviser will ensure follow-up on key budget and fiscal issues, provide technical support to the United Nations country team and thematic working groups and serve as the Mission’s focal point for the UNDAF process. ”

“ The new Government will have a great responsibility in this regard, but civil society and the private sector will also need to play a forceful role and lend their creativity to the building of a stronger and more effective consensus around the peace agenda. ”

“ Electoral authorities have come under increased pressure, especially after a controversial ruling in July by the nation’s highest court permitting the presidential candidacy of retired General Efraín Ríos Montt. ”

“ The Mission is working with the United Nations country team to develop the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework and to build greater capacity for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the pending socioeconomic commitments contained in the peace agreements. In 2003 the Mission coordinated efforts to produce a supplement to the annual Human Development Report that integrates information from several United Nations programmes and agencies and presents a joint assessment of the status of the commitments. ”