Guatemala's human rights record is worsening, says UN mission

Guatemala's human rights record deteriorated sharply during the year ending June, with police violations increasing and impunity becoming the norm, according to the United Nations mission in the Central American country.

In its latest report, the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) said it was becoming disturbed by developments between July 2002 and June this year.

MINUGUA says the worsening human rights situation is closely linked to the failure to advance on other aspects of the peace agreements in place in Guatemala since its long-running civil war ended in the 1990s.

MINUGUA will continue to monitor the peace agreements until 31 December. In 12 months' time it is due to withdraw and be replaced by a human rights field office run by the UN.