II. Measures to preserve the memory of the victims

The Accord of Oslo emphasises the need to remember and dignify the victims of the fratricidal confrontation that took place in Guatemala. The CEH believes that the historical memory, both individual and collective, forms the basis of national identity. Remembrance of the victims is a fundamental aspect of this historical memory and permits the recovery of the values of, and the validity of the struggle for, human dignity.

On the basis of these considerations, and considering the appeal for forgiveness made by the President of the Republic on 29 December 1998, and the partial appeal for forgiveness made by the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity on 19 February 1998, the CEH recommends:

Dignity for the victims

1. That, in the name of the State of Guatemala and with the primary aim of restoring dignity to the victims, the President of the Republic recognise, before the whole of Guatemalan society, before the victims, their relatives and their communities, those acts described in this Report, ask pardon for them and assume responsibility for the Human Rights violations connected with the internal armed confrontation, particularly for those committed by the Army and the state security forces.

2. That the Congress of the Republic issue a solemn declaration reaffirming the dignity and honour of the victims and restoring their good name and that of their relatives.

3. That the ex-Command of the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity, with the primary aim of restoring dignity to the victims, ask forgiveness, solemnly and publicly, before the whole of society, before the victims, their relatives and their communities, and assume responsibility for those acts of violence committed by the ex-guerrillas connected with the armed confrontation that have caused the Guatemalan population to suffer.

Remembrance of the victims

4. That the Guatemalan State and society commemorate the victims by means of various activities carried out in co-ordination with organisations from civil society, among which it is essential that the following measures be included:

a) Designation of a day of commemoration of the victims (National Day of Dignity for the Victims of the Violence).

b) The construction of monuments and public parks in memory of the victims at national, regional and municipal levels.

c) The assigning of names of victims to educational centres, buildings and public highways.

5. That the commemorations and ceremonies for the victims of the armed confrontation take into consideration the multicultural nature of the Guatemalan nation, to which end the Government and local authorities should promote and authorise the raising of monuments and the creation of communal cemeteries in accordance with the forms of Mayan collective memory.

6. That the sacred Mayan sites violated during the armed confrontation are reclaimed and their importance highlighted in accordance with the wishes of the communities affected.