By Brittney Hodnik
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – For the first time, a Latin American court has decided to charge former president, Efrain Rios Montt with genocide.  For the past14 years, Montt has enjoyed immunity as a member of Congress, according to The Indypendent.  His term expired in January and the government has finally brought genocide charges and accusations of other human rights abuses.

Montt served as president-dictator of Guatemala from 1982-1983 after a military coup in that country.  A civil war ensued for over three decades.  According to the Associated Press, he is accused in 266 incidents (usually massacres) that resulted in 1,771 deaths, 1,400 human rights violations, and the displacement of 29,000 indigenous Guatemalans.

According to The Indypendent, Judge Patricia Flores stated in her ruling, “We can establish these are acts so degrading, so humiliating that there is no justification . . . You were the general commander of the military and had knowledge of the execution of these plans.”

Montt’s lawyer told local newspapers, “We are sure that there is no responsibility, since he was never on the battlefield,” as reported by The New York Times.  Montt has previously denied ordering any massacres, but military documents have shows the contrary.  Further, according to the Associated Press, Montt explained to the judge “I understand what the prosecution is saying and I won’t respond . . . The point is to do justice, not vengeance.”

A United Nations-backed truth commission set up in 1996 found that about 200,000 people were killed or disappeared during the civil war, according to The New York Times.  Montt’s 17-month rule played a significant role in these deaths.  Judge Flores went on to say during the testimony, “Unfortunately there are cases like this where people have been waiting 29 years for justice.”

His parliamentary immunity has shielded him from prosecution until now.  In December of 1999, a group of Guatemalans filed suit in the Spanish National Court against 8 high ranking Guatemalan officials, including Montt, reports The Indypendent.  These charges were filed under “universal jurisdiction” and were upheld.  Also, in 2004, the Guatemalan government admitted before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that Rios Montt’s regime pursued a strategy of genocide, reports The Huffington Post.

Currently, Montt is on house arrest and has been ordered to pay a $64,000 bond.  Formal charges against the court are expected to come about soon.

For more information, please visit:

The Indypendent — Genocide Trial of Rios Montt — 9 Feb. 2012

The Huffington Post — Paul Seils: Guatemala Genocide Ruling a Triumph for Survivors — 1 Feb. 2012

The Associated Press — Guatemala: Ex-Dictator to Face Genocide Charges — 27 Jan. 2012

The New York Times — Efrain Rios Montt, Guatemala Ex-Dictator, to Appear in Court — 22 Jan. 2012