Table of Contents

Country Reports

LM Report 2003

Mine Ban Policy Mine Action Coordination Funding UXO Problem and Clearance Mine Risk Education Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

Guatemala

Key developments since May 2002: The date for completion of the clearance program has been moved up from 2005 to 2004. Clearance operations in San Marcos department were completed on 15 December 2002, with 8,342 square meters of land returned to communities. Guatemala has served as co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction since September 2002.

Mine Ban Policy

Guatemala signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 26 March 1999, and the treaty entered into force on 1 September 1999. In 1997, Guatemala passed national implementing legislation in the form of Legislative Decree 106-97 issued by the Congress.^[1]

Guatemala reports that it has never produced, imported, stockpiled or used antipersonnel landmines, and that it has no antipersonnel mines for training or development purposes.^[2]

Guatemala attended the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002, where it was named co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, together with Italy. Guatemala participated in the various intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and May 2003.

As of July 2003, Guatemala had not yet submitted its annual Article 7 Report, due 30 April 2003. Guatemala has previously submitted two Article 7 reports.^[3]

On 22 November 2002, Guatemala voted in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74, promoting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Guatemala is a State Party to Amended Protocol II (Landmines) of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and attended the Fourth Annual Conference of State Parties to Amended Protocol II in December 2002. It did not submit its annual Amended Protocol II Article 13 report.

Guatemalan representatives participated in a regional mine clearance conference, titled “Avances del Desminado en las Américas” (Advances in Mine Clearance in the Americas) from 27-28 August 2002, in Managua, Nicaragua. In January 2003, the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) organized a regional IMSMA (Information Management System for Mine Action) seminar in Antigua, Guatemala, attended by representatives from Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Organization of American States (OAS).^[4]

Mine Action Coordination

The OAS Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, through its Program for Integral Action against Antipersonnel Mines (AICMA, Acción Integral Contra Minas Antipersonales), is responsible for coordinating and supervising the Assistance Program for Demining in Central America (PADCA, Programa de Asistencia al Desminado en Centro América), with the technical support of the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB). The IADB is responsible for organizing a team of international supervisors in charge of training and certification, known as the Assistance Mission for Mine Clearance in Central America (Misión de Asistencia para la Remoción de Minas en Centro América, MARMINCA). In Central America, OAS PADCA and MARMINCA has mine action programs in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The national body for mine action efforts in Guatemala is the Executive Coordination Unit (UCE, Unidad Coordinadora Ejecutiva), established in 1997. The UCE has prepared a National Plan for Demining and the Destruction of Unexploded Ordnance, under which the OAS and IADB assist Guatemala with its clearance efforts. The Army, the Association of Volunteer Firefighters, and reintegrated former Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG) members are responsible for clearance operations, along with PADCA/MARMINCA.

In 1995, Legislative Decree 60-95 established the Demining Coordinating Committee (Comisión Coordinadora de Desminado, CCD).^[5] The CCD is comprised of: the OAS/AICMA (responsible for logistics); MARMINCA (responsible for supervision and verification); the Engineer Corps of the Army (in charge of destruction of unexploded ordnance, UXO); and the Association of Volunteer Firefighters, former URNG members, and the Guatemalan Army (responsible for clearance and risk education).^[6]

Funding

According to the UCE Coordinator, Jhony Cabrera, the budget for the Guatemala program for 2003 will be $1 million; the Guatemalan government will provide $86,451.^[7] The Association of Volunteer Firefighters is responsible for administering the funds.

In May 2003, the OAS presented a projection of requirements for the period 2003-2007; for Guatemala, the total was $2.1 million ($900,000 for 2003; $900,000 for 2004; and $300,000 for 2005). OAS funding for Guatemala is scheduled to end in 2005.^[8]

According to a May 2003 presentation by the OAS, sixteen governments and one regional entity have contributed to the regional mine action program benefiting Guatemala. This includes donors that have provided long-term support and/or have provided support for specific units (Canada, Norway, Sweden, UK, USA, and the European Union), donors that have provided general support (Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Spain), and smaller donors (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, and Russia).^[9] The program received more than $24.5 million from 1998-2002.^[10]

On 6 June 2003, the OAS announced a Norwegian contribution of NOK4.6 million (approximately $670,000), to go toward UXO clearance in Guatemala.^[11] During its fiscal year 2002, the United States contributed $1.695 million to the OAS/IADB for its mine action activities in Central America, including Guatemala.^[12]

Guatemala has contributed sixteen military mine action supervisors to the MARMINCA mine clearance effort since 1993, including two in 2002 and two in 2003.^[13] In 2002, the Guatemalan supervisors participated in mine clearance efforts in Nicaragua and Perú.^[14]

UXO Problem and Clearance

In its June 2002 Article 7 Report, Guatemala listed thirteen departments considered at “high-risk” from unexploded ordnance: Northern Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Escuintla, Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, Quiché, Southern Peten, Retalhuleu, San Marcos, Solola, Suchitepéquez and Totonicapan. The departments of Santa Rosa and Jutiapa were listed as low risk.^[15]

In 2002, 8,342 square meters of UXO-contaminated land was cleared in San Marcos department and 56 UXO destroyed under the supervision of three MARMINCA personnel from Honduras and Venezuela.^[16] According to the OAS national coordinator, the land that was cleared and returned to the communities was productive agricultural land. Clearance operations in San Marcos were completed on 15 December 2002 and the end of operations was celebrated in a public ceremony held on 9 May 2003.^[17] The Minister of Defense, Members of the Demining Coordinating Committee, the national Secretariat for Peace (SEPAZ), diplomatic representatives, the Governor of San Marcos and media participated in the event.^[18]

According to OAS/AICMA Guatemala Coordinator, the Guatemalan clearance program destroyed a total of 3,460 UXO between 1998-2002, and an estimated 4,500-5,000 UXO remain to be destroyed.^[19]

Completion of the National Demining Plan, with clearance of all thirteen high-risk departments, was originally scheduled for 2005, but increased financial assistance has brought forward the completion date to 2004.^[20] In January 2003, the UCE updated the operational plan for 2003 and 2004, in order to conclude the program by 2004.^[21] The Demining Coordinating Committee increased the number of clearance units from five to seven in order to complete clearance one year earlier.^[22] For 2003, the National Demining Plan has scheduled clearance of the departments of Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Totonicapan, Huehuetenango, Solola, and Suchitepequez.^[23]

Mine Risk Education

The Association of Volunteer Firefighters provides mine/UXO risk education (MRE) using television, radio and the print media, with the support of the OAS and with additional logistical and financial assistance provided by the government. In 2002, the AVF conducted MRE in 308 communities in San Marcos department, reaching an estimated 60,654 people.^[24]

In 2003, further MRE efforts are planned for 600 communities in the departments of Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Totonicapan, and Huehuetenango, which will reach an estimated 150,000 people.^[25]

UNICEF Guatemala did not carry out any mine risk education in 2002, due to lack of donor support.^[26]

Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

There were no UXO casualties reported in 2002.^[27] In 2001, one UXO incident was recorded, which resulted in four children being killed. Since 1994, approximately fifteen people have been injured by landmines or UXO; before that time no official records were kept.^[28]

The UNICEF/ASCATED (Asociación de Capacitacion y Asistencia Técnica en Educación y Discapacidad) community-based rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration program identifies landmine/UXO survivors and assesses their needs. It identified approximately 177 survivors from 1972 to December 2002. In 2002, the program was assisting mine/UXO mine survivors in the departments of Peten, Quiche, Quezaltenango, and San Marcos.^[29] UNICEF, together with ASCATED and other implementing partners, supports five counseling and rehabilitation centers operated by the local community and under the supervision and evaluation of ASCATED.^[30] Since 1999, the centers have provided direct assistance to 500 people, including the 177 mine/UXO survivors.^[31]

The next phase of the program will promote socioeconomic reintegration of survivors and develop their advocacy skills. Other activities include providing assistance to establish an organization of survivors, and collaborating with health services to provide psychosocial assistance.^[32] The program is also planning to prepare and present to the Congress a draft law that would establish State responsibility for the provision of direct assistance to war survivors for their rehabilitation.^[33]

The Guatemalan Red Cross project “Derribando Barreras”(Removing Barriers), started in 2000 with financial support from the Spanish Red Cross, provides assistance including prosthetics and rehabilitation services to war-wounded and persons with disabilities. As of the end of 2002, 240 persons with disabilities had received prosthetic devices and rehabilitation; sixty percent were war-wounded.^[34]

The Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR) launched a Lower Extremity Distance Learning Program in Central America with 23 students from El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The pilot program was completed in July 2002.^[35]

Other organizations providing assistance to mine/UXO survivors in Guatemala include the Asociación Guatemalteca de Rehabilitación (AGREL), the OAS, the local NGO Transitions, Queen’s University, and for war-wounded veterans, the Centro de Atención al Desacapacitado del Ejercito de Guatemala (CADEG).^[36]

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[1] The legislation prohibits the production, purchase, sale, importation, exportation, transit, use or possession of antipersonnel mines and explosive artifacts or their composite parts. Legislative Decree 106-97. Article 7 Report, Form A, 5 June 2002.
[2] Article 7 Report, 5 June 2002. See also previous Landmine Monitor reports. The Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG) made limited use of homemade mines and improvised explosive devices during the war.
[3] Article 7 Report, 5 June 2002 (for the period from March 2001 to March 2002); Article 7 Report, 2 March 2001 (for the period from 1999 to 2000).
[4] OAS, “Update on regional mine action efforts,” May 2003, p. 6.
[5] Article 7 Report, Form A, 5 June 2002. The formal name is La Comisión Coordinadora para el “Programa para la Reducción de Riesgos a los Habitantes de Zonas Afectadas por el Enfrentamiento Armado, a través del Rastreo y Desactivación de Minas y otros Artefactos Explosivos.
[6] See “National Demining Plan” attached to Article 7 Report, 5 June 2002.
[7] Interview with Jhony Cabrera, Coordinator, Executive Coordination Unit, Guatemala, 12 June 2003. The UN reports that the 2003 budget for the OAS in Guatemala is $871,666. UN Mine Action “E-mine” website, country report for Guatemala, updated November 2002, at www.mineaction.org.
[8] See OAS, “Mine Action Program: Making the Western Hemisphere landmine-safe,” Resource Mobilization: Projection of Financial Resources/Requirements 2003-2007, p. 6. Presented at the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 12 May 2003.
[9] Ibid; OAS presentation to the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, 12 May 2003. (Notes by Landmine Monitor/MAC)
[10] OAS press release E-248/02, “France contributes to OAS mine-clearance operations,” 18 December 2002.
[11] OAS press release C-115/03, “Noruega dona al programa de Acción contra Minas de la OEA en Guatemala,” 6 June 2003; “Norway donation helps to clear Guatemala of war-era ordnance,” EFE, 7 June 2003.
[12] US Department of State, “Congressional Budget Justifications: Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2004,” 3 February 2003. See also, US Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” September 2002.
[13] The 16 supervisors include two in 1993, 1998, and 1999, three in 2000 and 2001, and two in 2002 and 2003. “Contribution Countries (International Supervisors) to the OAS Program of Demining in Central America,” table provided by email to Landmine Monitor (HRW) from Carl Case, OAS, 18 June 2002; email from Carl Case, 23 July 2003.
[14] Interview with Guillermo Pacheco, Coordinator OAS/AICMA, Guatemala, 6 December 2002.
[15] Article 7 Report, Form C and National Demining Plan Attachment, 5 June 2002.
[16] Interview with William de León, Coordinator, Association of Volunteer Firefighters, Guatemala, 4 December 2002.
[17] Interview with Jhony Cabrera, Executive Coordination Unit, Guatemala, 24 January 2003.
[18] Interview with Jhony Cabrera, Executive Coordination Unit, Guatemala, 16 May 2003.
[19] Interview with Guillermo Pacheco, OAS/AICMA, Guatemala, 7 January 2003.
[20] Ibid.
[21] OAS, “Update on regional mine action efforts,” May 2003.
[22] Interview with Jhony Cabrera, Executive Coordination Unit, Guatemala, 12 June 2003.
[23] Interview with Guillermo Pacheco, OAS/AICMA, Guatemala, 7 January 2003.
[24] Interview with William de León, Association of Volunteer Firefighters, Guatemala, 4 December 2002.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Email to Landmine Monitor (HIB) from Ramiro Quezada, Oficial de Salud, UNICEF Guatemala, 21 July 2003.
[27] Interview with William de León, Association of Volunteer Firefighters, Guatemala, 4 December 2002.
[28] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 283-284.
[29] Interview with Ramiro Quezada, Project Officer, UNICEF, Guatemala, 8 January, 2003; interview with Rolando Flores, Project Manager, ASCATED, Guatemala, 14 January 2003; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 284.
[30] Interview with Rolando Flores, Project Manager, ASCATED, Guatemala, 14 January 2003.
[31] Interview with Ramiro Quezada, Project Officer, UNICEF, Guatemala, 8 January 2003.
[32] Interview with Rolando Flores, Project Manager, ASCATED, Guatemala, 11 June 2003; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 283-284.
[33] Interview with Ramiro Quezada, Project Officer, UNICEF, Guatemala, 8 January 2003.
[34] Interview with Dr. Arturo Valdes, National Secretary of Health, Guatemalan Red Cross, Guatemala, 15 January and 11 June 2003.
[35] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 284.
[36] For details see Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 347-348; interview with Jhony Cabrera, Executive Coordination Unit, Guatemala, 8 January 2003; see also ICBL, “Portfolio of Landmine Victim Assistance Programs,” September 2002, available at www.landminevap.org.