For 36 years, Guatemala was plagued by conflict between the government and guerrilla militant groups such as the Revolutionary Movement 13th November (MR-13), the Revolutionary National Unity of Guatemala (URNG) and the Rebel Armed Forces (FAR). The Guatemalan military was responsible for many serious human rights violations, and the indigenous population, which is predominantly Mayan, was targeted. Since peace agreements were signed in 1994 and 1996, Guatemala has undergone several transitional justice processes.

In 1997, as required by the 1994 peace agreement, the government established the Commission for Historical Clarification to uncover the various human rights abuses that occurred during the war and to identify those responsible. (Read more about the Commission for Historical Clarification.)

In 1995, the Catholic Church in Guatemala established a separate mechanism, the Recovery of Historical Memory (REMHI) Project, because of concerns regarding the ability of the CEH to be effective given the timeframe proposed in 1994. The project aimed to reveal the history of the conflict mainly through victims’ testimonies. (Read more about the Recovery of Historical Memory Project.)

In 2003, based in part of the recommendations of the Commission for Historical Clarification, the government initiated a national reparations programme, which provides compensation payments, basic housing and income-production schemes to victims. (Read more about the reparations programme.)

The United Nations-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala was launched in 2008. This commission is the first international attempt at identifying criminal organisations obstructing rule of law and then prosecuting their members under domestic law. (Read more about the International Commission against Impunity.)