16 Mar 2012

GUATEMALA / PILLAY WRAP

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay concluded a five-day visit to Guatemala this week, where he met with indigenous groups as well as key government officials. Pillay urged the Government to break from the past and seek to transform the nation into a modern State based on democracy. OHCHR

Posted at: March 16, 2012 2:41 pm

Duration: 01:00

Available in: SD

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STORY: GUATEMALA / PILLAY WRAP 
TRT: 1.00
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 11, 13 MARCH 2012, GUATEMALA

SHOTLIST:

11 MARCH 2012, GUATEMALA, GUATEMALA CITY

1. Various shots, Meeting with indigenous peoples of the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán where indigenous authorities and leaders expressed their problems and demands. Totonicapán, Guatemala
2. Med shot, Navi Pillay walking to the podium at a meeting with families of the disappeared during the civil war and buried as "XX". at the Cemetery "La Verbena" in Guatemala City 
3. SOUNDBITE (English) NaviPillay, UN High Commissioner for Human rights (OHCHR): 
"I encourage all of you to pursue your remarkable efforts and I express my continuing support to the resilience and courage of the victims and civil society organizations dedicated to combating impunity."

13 MARCH 2012, GUATEMALA

4. SOUNDBITE (English) NaviPillay, UN High Commissioner for Human rights (OHCHR):
"I also take this opportunity to reassure you that the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples remains a key priority for my office, the Office of the United Nations High commissioner for Human Rights."

STORYLINE:

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay concluded a five-day visit to Guatemala this week, where she met with indigenous groups as well as key government officials. Pillay urged the Government to break from the past and seek to transform the nation into a modern State based on democracy.

At a meeting with civil society organizations and families of people who disappeared during the civil war, which ended in 1996, Pillay lauded efforts by victims and civil society organizations fighting impunity.

"I encourage all of you to pursue your remarkable efforts and I express my continuing support to the resilience and courage of victims and civil society organizations dedicated to combating impunity."

Earlier in her visit, she met with indigenous groups in Guatemala's West central region of Totonicapan. The groups raised concerns about human rights violations of indigenous peoples.

Pillay reassured them that the UN Human Rights office maintains the promotion and protection of indigenous peoples' rights as a key priority.