Our work for the Rule of Law and Democratic Public Security

Despite the Peace Accords signed in 1996, Guatemala continues to be a fragile democracy. Moreover, since the “Pact of the Corrupt” [1] was furthered in Congress in 2017, it can be said that human rights, the rule of law, and transparency have regressed. In 2019, the country attained its worst ranking to date in the Corruption Perceptions Index; and after a visit to the country, a group of security experts from the U.S. considered that it was on the verge of becoming a “narco-state.” Therefore, civil society organizations’ work on promoting the rule of law and democratic public security is crucial.

Jotay’s approach focuses on four areas: access to justice, protection for human rights defenders, violence prevention and the promotion of peaceful coexistence, and Indigenous peoples’ rights.

Access to justice  

The Myrna Mack Foundation conducts strategic litigation and presents proposals for improving justice system functionality in Guatemala. The Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies (ICEFI) monitors and presents proposals for fiscal policies and public expenditures. With Jotay, it has worked on promoting public spending that involves gender justice. The Coordination of NGOs and Cooperatives of Guatemala (CONGCOOP) also works on empowerment through social auditing. The Human Rights Law Firm (BDH) and the Maya Achi Association for Comprehensive Development for Victims of Violence in the Verapaz Region (ADIVIMA) works on strategic litigation for crimes against humanity.

Protection for human rights defenders

The Human Rights Defenders Protection Unit of Guatemala (UDEFEGUA) works to protect spaces for human rights defense. It receives and verifies complaints, and identifies and implements safety measures for human rights defenders. In the context of the migration crisis, which has gained visibility in recent years due to the caravans of migrants walking from Central America to the United States, the Community Studies and Psycho-Social Action Team (ECAP) works to support the families of disappeared migrants.

The International Platform Against Impunity, headquartered in Geneva, is an alliance of civil society organizations from Holland, Switzerland, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala that support and promote advocacy processes for the full enforcement of human rights in Central America, with a particular focus on the northern countries in the region. 

Violence prevention and the promotion of peaceful coexistence 

One of the key partner organizations in this area is the Caja Lúdica Civil Association, which promotes training, organizing, and advocacy processes through their Arts-infused Action, Participation, and Transformation Methodology (MLAPT), contributing to a culture of peace focused on human rights in neighborhoods and communities in Guatemala and supporting the reconstruction of the social fabric. The organization works primarily with young people and adolescents. The Departmental Network of Chiquimula Women (REDMUCH) and the Ixqik Women’s Association of Petén contribute to the work of preventing violence against women, as both organizations manage Women’s Comprehensive Support Centers (CAIMUS). The Association for the Advancement of Social Sciences in Guatemala (AVANSCO) also contributes through training processes in violence prevention (including with professors). The Pop Noj Association and the Jesuit Migrant Network work on topics of youth and migration.    

Indigenous peoples’ rights 

The aim is for Indigenous peoples to be able to exercise their individual and collective rights in a context of self-determination, thus contributing to the recognition of the ethnic diversity in the country. The main partner organization for this outcome is the Peace and Ecology Commission (COPAE), which supports and advises the Maya Peoples’ Council (CPO) in its training and political reclamation processes. AVANCSO and the International Platform Against Impunity also contribute to this outcome.

 

[1] The “Pact of the Corrupt” in Guatemala refers to the existing agreements between groups of congresspeople, politicians, and justice operators who act to impede the fight against corruption and impunity.