Brussels, 26/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 25 April, on the eve of the third anniversary of the assassination of Bishop Gerardi in Guatemala, the Swedish Presidency made the following Declaration on behalf of the European Union"
"The EU respectfully honours the memory of Monsignor Gerardi today, three years after his brutal murder, and welcomes the recent opening of his murder trial. The EU has noted with approval President Alfonso Portillos's repeatedly expressed determination to see Bishop Gerardi's murder solved. It sympathises with and supports the judges, judicial authorities, members of the legal profession and other actors involved throughout the difficulties of this entire process of investigation and trial, particularly those who have become the target of threats and assaults. The EU views with the greatest concern the increasing number of threats and assaults made not only against judges and members of the judicial authorities, but also against human rights activists, journalists and political leaders. The European Union utterly condemns these acts, which impede progress in strengthening the rule of law, and urges the Government of Guatemala to protect those targeted and have the incidents investigated, so that legal action can be taken to punish those responsible. The EU calls upon all Guatemalans to respect human rights and the rule of law. It urges the appropriate authorities to combat impunity before the law and to implement the recommendations of the Commission on Historical Clarification, with special emphasis on the establishment of a follow-up body. The European Union also stresses the importance of the recommendations contained in the REMHI report "Guatemala Nunca Más" (Guatemala Never Again). The EU also strongly encourages all Guatemalans, and particularly those in authority, to renew their efforts to implement the Peace Accords, which continue to have a central and fundamental role to play in the strengthening of democracy, national reconciliation and development in Guatemala. Ultimately, the EU reiterates the importance implied by the clarification of the assassination of Monsignor Gerardi, as well as the punishment of the perpetrators, in the framework of efforts to combat impunity and to consolidate a society governed by the rule of law. The EU looks forward to maintaining constructive bilateral relations with Guatemala based on the respect for human rights and the implementation of the Peace Accords.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the EEA align themselves with this declaration."