OHCHR Guatemala advancing rule of law, human rights, and gender equality 2022-25

In a difficult political environment, OHCHR has managed to maintain dialogue with both government institutions and civil society, offering recommendations and advice on human rights. In 2023, OHCHR carried out training courses on international standards on the human rights of women with 115 public employees from PNC (national police) and SEPREM (presidential secretariat for women) and continued dialogue with authorities and communities to prevent unlawful evictions of rural communities. The Office also assisted both government and civil society ahead of Guatemala's review with the CEDAW Committee, and will continue to support the implementation of the resulting recommendations. In transitional justice regarding grave human rights violations committed during the internal armed conflict, OHCHR observed thirteen court hearings related to four different legal cases. The Office also supported nine local film festivals focusing on transitional justice in four regions of the country, reaching a total of 300 members of the public, a majority young people. Business and human rights continue to be a priority and efforts continued to train private sector representatives on relevant principles.

OHCHR has a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. OHCHR provides assistance, in the form of technical expertise and strengthening of capacities, to support the implementation of international human rights standards on the ground. It assists governments, which bear the primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, to fulfill their obligations, supports individual rights holders and civil society to claim their rights, and speaks out objectively on human rights violations. The support to OHCHR Guatemala aims to contribute to four goals: Strengthening rule of law and promoting accountability for human rights violations. Enhancing and protecting civic space and peoples' participation. Non-discrimination and enhancing gender equality. Integrating human rights in sustainable development.