Brussels, 27/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 26 April, the Portuguese Presidency, representing the European Union, made the following statement on the human rights situation in Guatemala.
"The EU remembers Bishop Gerardi with the greatest respect on this, the second anniversary of his brutal and appalling murder. The EU welcomes President Portillo's decision to name this day henceforth as the 'Day of Dignity for the Victims of Violence' and hopes it will become a day of special significance for all Guatemalans. It also welcomes the President's determination to ensure that those who are genuinely responsible for Bishop Gerardi's murder be brought to justice without further delay and expects that the Guatemalan Government will guarantee full independence and liberty to the authorities in their work of investigating this murder. The EU calls upon all Guatemalans to maintain the utmost respect for human rights and the rule of law and encourages the Guatemalan authorities, as already promised by the President in, inter alia, his inaugural speech, to make the recommendations of both the Truth Commission and the Recovery of Historic Memory (REHMI) reports into government policy. The European Union also calls upon all Guatemalans, and particularly their authorities, to make determined efforts to continue with implementation of the peace accords in order to bring about a more just, stable and harmonious society."