FAFG Guatemala 2020 - 2022

FAFG aims at contributing to transitional justice. The Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG) grew out of the requests and inquiries of the communities and families of the victims seeking forensic assistance to recover, identify, and return the remains of their loved ones who were massacred, extra-judicially executed, or disappeared during the internal armed conflict in Guatemala.FAFG was established in 1997 and now, after more than 20 years of work, FAFG has identified more than 3500 victims in the conflict, they have contributed to the reconstruction of events and to keep history and memory alive, and their work has contributed to the work against impunity by providing evidence in trials for crimes committed during the internal armed conflict. The work of FAFG is guided by three strategies, 1) to accompany the relatives in an integrated manner and build confidence, 2) the continued application of forensic sciences to investigate and identify the victims, and 3) to share their experience and knowledge from the work in Guatemala and provide technical assistance in the search of missing people in other countries.The families of the victims in Guatemala continue to search for the truth and request that the whereabouts of their loved ones be resolved so they can be buried with dignity and seek justice. In Guatemala these processes depend on FAFG as the state does not have the capacity.Sweden has previously supported the work of FAFG in Guatemala through the UNDP administered programme Pajust, but as that support came to an end in December 2019 it is now suggested that the Embassy should provide support directly to FAFG. A study on FAFGs institutional capacity has been undertaken and has shown that FAFG has good capacity and overall low risk levels.The Embassy is of the opinion that a direct agreement is preferred as the institutional capacity of FAFG is high and since it would reduce administrative costs. Furthermore, the Embassy strives, when possible, to have directs agreements with local civil society organisations in order to balance the general trend of having intenational civil society organisations or the UN channeling funds to local actors.FAFG has submitted a proposal to the Embassy that covers May 2020 to December 2022 with a total budget of SEK 30 000 000. Dialogue on the budget is ongoing and has been discussed in parallel with other planned support to civil society in Guatemala, the aim being to ensure a balance between funding FAFG and the organizations that accompany FAFG. It is suggested that FAFG be funded with a total of SEK 30 000 000 distributed over 2020 - 2022.FAFG works closely with victims's associations and civil society organisations that offer psychosocial and legal support to victims and survivors. These organisations will receive support through other programmes with which FAFG and the Embassy has an ongoing dialogue to ensure efficient coordination. FAFG will initially not channel funds to other organisations, however, as their institutional capacity is assessed as high they could later on, if needed, come to channel funds. This would be after addressing the recommendations as identified in the study on institutional capacity with regards to channeling of funds.