Guatemalan Government must take stronger stance against lynching - UN report

Calling the problem of lynching in Guatemala a sign of the country's deteriorating human rights situation, a new United Nations report urges a stepped-up government response to the crime.

The report, produced by the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), says the Government's work in the area has so far been "very weak."

At the same time, the Mission notes that although lynching has increased - up by 22 per cent from 2000 to 2001 - the intervention of the National Civil Police has helped to spare the lives of many victims.

MINUGUA calls on the Government to formulate a public policy to put a stop to lynching, and that all those responsible for the crime be prosecuted and punished. Overall, the Mission stresses, Guatemala must strive to strengthen a "culture of peace" through a civic education programme promoting human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.