In a 1999 report, the UN-sponsored Commission for Historical Clarification estimated that 200,000 indigenous Mayan Indians had been killed in genocidal acts committed during Guatemala's 36-year civil war. The Commission recommended that those responsible for instigating such crimes should be brought to justice by the Guatemalan authorities and that reparations should be paid to the victims' families.
The ICTJ has worked closely with the Attorney General's Office in an attempt to build the technical capacity of those investigating past abuses. In July 2003, the Center organized a weeklong course for prosecutors and a shorter one for members of the judiciary. Following the trainings, the ICTJ carried out a technical assistance program, evaluating the capacity of the Special Prosecutor's Office (SPO) charged with prosecuting these crimes and advising on possible improvements. An expert in war crimes investigations made three visits to Guatemala and spent five weeks working with the SPO.
The Center will continue to evaluate opportunities to strengthen prosecutorial efforts made possible by the new government. In January 2004, Paul Seils advised the government on the practical aspects of a policy on justice and reconciliation. Pablo de Greiff addressed the government and civil society representatives on the development of a reparations program.
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