Shining Stars Among a Broken People

February 26, a 13 member delegation gathered in Guatemala City to observe the effect of the 1996 Peace Accords on the Guatemalan people.

Guatemala still bears many open wounds from the 36-year war and now is in a period of transition between war and peace. The city infrastructure seems to be relatively intact but the people are struggling as they search for some way to rebuild their lives. The war destroyed many families and communities of the poor majority. Although it has been nearly four years since the signing of the Peace Accords, issues which include indigenous rights, impunity and justice reform, military reform and reparations for war victims, and popular participation in democratic processes are yet to addressed.

The UN-sponsored truth commission released its report on human rights violations during Guatemala's civil war.  Their conclusion was that the Guatemalan military and government used genocide as a counterinsurgency policy, decimating Mayan communities and murdering political opponents, with the tacit, and sometimes explicit, support of the United States.  The report recommends peace and national harmony in Guatemala, including measures to provide reparations for war victims, reform the military, strengthen the justice system, and take other actions to foster respect of human rights and strengthen the democratic process in Guatemala. 

Several months into President Portillo's term, he has failed to put forth concrete measures that not only express his political will for the fulfillment of the Peace Accords but that also can be translated into actions which will alleviate the situation of the Guatemalan people in general and in particular the Maya people.

In spite of the apparent lack of progress it was striking to meet with a few shining stars of hope; campesinos, Mayan activists and community leaders who are leading their communities in the difficult process of rebuilding communities, families and lives. 

Peace in Guatemala is not a certainty and seems to be more difficult than was originally thought. After 500 years of marginalization the government still isn't ready to make the changes as put forth in the peace accords.