Institutional Support to the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala - Phase II

Results achieved as of March 2013 include: The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) actively investigated 55 cases involving criminal structures and worked closely with justice-sector institutions as complimentary prosecutors in 21 cases. As a result five sentences were issued relating to human trafficking homicide and corruption linked to narco-trafficking. CICIG’s support also helped advance 38 cases related to: murder of high-level officials criminal gang structures trafficking of children through illegal adoptions corruption narco-trafficking social conflicts and trafficking of people and merchandise. CICIG advanced the development of an integrated police database and strategy for coordinated investigations allowing for more effective dismantling of entire criminal networks following large-scale investigations. The Public Prosecutors Office and National Civilian Police benefitted from training on special investigative methods such as a wiretapping collaborating witnesses and criminal and financial analysis which improved investigation results. Following a July 2012 law passed by Congress to create a new investigative police force specifically designed to confront organized crime 777 public servants (police prosecutors and judges) received training on various criminal investigation and security-related techniques. Two specialized studies on impunity structures were produced which identify the structures and provide details on the actions of 13 judges who failed to bring perpetrators to justice. Overall these contributed to strengthening the Justice Sector to investigate and prosecute organized crime.