In advance of a hearing in the criminal trial of human rights defender and lawyer Claudia González on Thursday, 11 April, Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director, said:
“The Guatemalan authorities must guarantee Claudia Gonzalez’s right to a public hearing that press and international observers can attend. Holding public hearings is an essential way to guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judicial process and the right to freedom of expression, as well as to sustain society’s confidence in the justice system.”
The Guatemalan authorities must guarantee Claudia Gonzalez’s right to a public hearing that press and international observers can attend. Holding public hearings is an essential way to guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judicial process and the right to freedom of expression, as well as to sustain society’s confidence in the justice system.
Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International
In March, the tenth trial court for criminal matters, drug trafficking and crimes against the environment in Guatemala City ordered Claudia González to stand trial for the crime of abuse of authority. On 11 April, the same court will decide which evidence it will admit for use in that trial. The accusation, made in the context of harassment of those fighting impunity and corruption, is related to her work at the International Commission Against Impunity (CICIG).
Amnesty International has observed that Guatemalan authorities have illegitimately restricted public access to hearings in wrongful criminal proceedings against justice workers and human rights defenders, like Claudia González and Virginia Laparra, among other violations of their human rights. These restrictions do not have the strict justifications required in accordance with the right to a fair trial.
Amnesty International emphasizes that the public nature of hearings may only be limited under special circumstances, and any such restrictions should strictly adhere to international law and be duly justified.
Amnesty International reiterates its call for the Guatemalan authorities to guarantee the right to a fair trial with all due process guarantees for Claudia González, and to cease to criminalize prosecutors, judges, former CICIG members, human rights defenders and journalists.
