Amnesty International has criticised the decision made by a Guatemalan judge to suspend the genocide trial of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, stating that it risks strengthening impunity and weaking rule of law.
Sebastian Elgueta, researcher on Guatemala at Amnesty International said in a statement,
“This trial represented a hope of justice for victims of crimes against humanity and crimes under international law in Guatemala” .
“The consequences of this decision may set back the clock in Guatemala to a time when impunity was the norm for those types of crimes.
“Annulling the evidence of witnesses, and forcing them to relive, once more, their harrowing testimony, is insensitive and cruel”.
“This decision shows disregard for the rights of victims, in effect re-traumatizing them all over again.”
See the full statement here.