Accord Anniversary Sparks Little Official Interest

Cerigua Weekly Briefs,
No. 13, 24 March 1996

Guatemala City, March 25. March 31 will mark the first anniversary of the signing of the Accord on Indigenous Peoples Rights and Identity. But indigenous groups say the government and other sectors of society have taken little interest in preparing for the accord's implementation.

According to Enrique Cuxil of the Coalition of Mayan Peoples Organizations (COPMAGUA), a March 21 forum held by the organization to evaluate the accord failed to attract delegates from the government peace commission, the Rigoberta Menchu Foundation or the Archdiocesan Human Rights Office (ODHA). Cuxil also charged that the government has not disseminated the document as promised.

Despite official disinterest, indigenous groups are laying the groundwork for the accord's implementation. The Guatemalan Academy of Mayan Languages (ALMG) announced March 25 that it has completed the document's translation into nine of Guatemala's 22 indigenous languages.

Juan Leon of COPMAGUA said his group's delegates are already participating in the committees established by the accord, made up of representatives of the government and indigenous peoples. Among the topics to be tackled are land, educational reform, and political participation by the Mayan people. The accords are to be implemented once rebel and government negotiators sign a final peace accord.