VI. Other recommendations to promote peace and national harmony

The CEH believes that for the promotion of peace and national harmony it is necessary to know and face the causes of the armed confrontation and its consequences, in such a way as to put an end to the social, ethnic and cultural divisions in Guatemala.

Equally necessary, are social participation and the contribution of all Guatemalans without discrimination in the fulfilment of public duties.

Although the CEH’s Report should serve as a fundamental reference point in the investigation of Guatemala’s past, it does not in itself bring to a close the investigation and analysis that must be carried out regarding the armed confrontation, its causes, the extent of the violence and its effects. The Report of the CEH should serve as a platform for continuing investigation within Guatemala. On this basis, the CEH recommends:

Investigation and analysis of the past

79. That the Guatemalan people continue the investigation and analysis of the events of the past, so as to construct firm foundations for the future based on their knowledge of the past, and thereby avert a repetition of the mistakes that provoked the confrontation.

Political participation of indigenous peoples

The CEH, without prejudice to the commitments already established in the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples, would like to reiterate the importance of the obligations assumed by the Government to promote social and political participation by the indigenous population and to bring about regional administration coherent with ethnic identity. For this reason the CEH particularly recommends:

80. That among the public officials and other personnel employed by the State, room is given, in sufficient number, to indigenous professionals with the qualifications and experience relevant to the demands of the various posts.

81. That, to the end expressed in the previous paragraph, the State establish and finance a system of grants for the training and specialisation of the aforementioned indigenous professionals.

Elimination of racism and of the subordination of indigenous peoples

Given that the relationship between the State and the indigenous population of Guatemala – particularly the Mayan people – has subsisted within an environment of racism, inequality and exclusion, and that this is one of the historical causes of the armed confrontation, measures guaranteeing the protection of the individual and collective rights of the indigenous population, respect for cultural plurality and promotion of intercultural relations, become vital.

On this basis, the CEH reiterates:

82. That the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples be implemented, in its entirety.

Fiscal Reform

Considering the Agreement on Social and Economic Aspects and the Agrarian Situation and the need for all Guatemalans to contribute to social development and the improvement of public services, the CEH reiterates:

83. That the Government promote measures designed to encourage the mobilisation of national resources, carrying out urgent fiscal reform that is just, equitable and progressive, as established in the Agreement on Social and Economic Aspects and the Agrarian Situation.