BUDGET REDUCTIONS THREATEN PUBLIC CRIMINAL DEFENCE PROGRAMS IN GUATEMALA, SAYS UN RIGHTS EXPERT

8 May 2003





The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Dato' Param Cumaraswamy, is concerned over the budgetary problems facing the Institute for Public Criminal Defence in Guatemala.

The Special Rapporteur recently learned that the National Co-ordinating Authority for the Modernization of the Justice System of Guatemala is facing a crisis with respect to one of its sectors of responsibility, the Institute for Public Criminal Defence. The continued operation of the Institute is in question due to a serious lack of funding. As a direct result, the Institute has advised it will not be able to implement or continue some of its programs, such as the defence office, the prosecutors’ office, the centre of administration of justice, legal aid centres located in police stations and legal aid services used mainly by indigenous populations.

In 2002, the Supreme Court of Justice highlighted the difficulties it was facing with respect to its functions due to budget reductions.

The Special Rapporteur shares the concerns expressed by both these institutions. Inadequate financial resources for the important Institute for the Public Criminal Defence will seriously undermine citizens’ access to justice, thereby putting the rule of law in Guatemala in jeopardy.

The Special Rapporteur urges the Congress of the Republic and the Ministry of Finance to address the lack of resources allocated to the judiciary in general and to act urgently to increase the budget of the Institute for Public Criminal Defence so it can continue to operate and serve citizens.



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