The Guatemalan government agreed on March 13th to set up an international commission to investigate resurging illegal groups in Guatemala. These clandestine groups, believed to include retired and current members of security forces, may be responsible for the increased threats and attacks against human rights defenders, judges, witnesses, journalists, and other civil society leaders in Guatemala. In addition, they are also believed to be involved in the corruption and drug trafficking that led the US government to decertify Guatemala as “not cooperating” in counter-narcotics efforts. Following a proposal outlined in January by Guatemala’s human rights ombudsman, Dr. Sergio Morales, the government agreed to form an international commission of inquiry called CICIACS (Commission for the Investigation of Illegal Bodies and Clandestine Security Apparatus).

The commission will consist of three members: one appointed by the United Nations, another by the Organization of American States, and a third by the Guatemalan government. Its mandate to investigate clandestine armed apparatus includes examination of their alleged ties to military and government personnel, private security groups, and organized crime. To facilitate the overall effectiveness of the commissioners, they will have access to important data through the subpoena and search powers of the public prosecutor’s office. The goal is to successfully curb the attacks by neutralizing the clandestine groups and bringing about their criminal prosecution. Guatemalan President Portillo must now submit a formalized agreement to the Guatemalan Congress for ratification.

This represents an important step forward by the Guatemalan government. Given the lack of progress in recent years in carrying out important provisions of the historic 1996 peace accords, the international community will closely monitor progress in establishing this commission and in the Guatemalan government’s full cooperation with its investigation.