Dealing with the Past: Conflicting Memories in Joyabaj, Guatemala (original) (raw)

Civil Miltary Relations in Post Conflict Guatemala

Analysis of the implementation of the Part-Agreement on Strengthening of Civilian Power and Role of the Military in a Democratic Society in Guatemala, ten years fater the signature of the Peace Accords

Violence in peace: forms and causes of postwar violence in Guatemala

2006

The poor performance of civil society in the security sphere 5. Conclusion 93 At the beginning of 2006 there were 21,000 posts for police officers, but holidays, shift duties and sick leave mean that only 14,000 officers are on duty at any one time. 94 Just over 50% of these officers are stationed in Guatemala City. The presence of the police across the country is therefore unsatisfactory. However, Leonardo Martínez, Director of FORPOL, points out that more policemen do not necessarily mean less crime. It is more important that the police should actually be present in the places where they are needed. It is still the case, Martínez explains, that police officers go for a walk rather than patrolling, and that their presence is a matter of aimless "wandering about". 95 But a light police presence does not necessarily lead to high levels of violence, as can be seen from the fact that, with the exception of Jutiapas, the regions of Guatemala where violence is at its most intense have a relatively heavy police presence. 96 In addition, there are complaints about the Interior Ministry takes over again because it is responsible for the penal system. In between, the other three institutions of the security sector are responsible. 91 There is no ministry of justice in Guatemala. The (deputy) minister of justice is subordinated to the minister of the interior, which is a problem for the independence of the judicial system.