United Nations General Assembly Resolution 50/220

Fiftieth session Agenda item 45

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 45/15 of 20 November 1990, 46/109 A of 17 December 1991, 47/118 of 18 December 1992, 48/161 of 20 December 1993 and 48/267 of 19 September 1994, in which it decided to establish the Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Commitments of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala, and its resolutions 49/137 of 19 December 1994, 49/236 A of 31 March 1995, and, in particular, 49/236 B of 14 September 1995, in which it decided to authorize the renewal of the mandate of the Mission for the further period of six months, that is, until 18 March 1996,

Taking into account the notes by the Secretary-General transmitting the third and fourth reports of the Director of the Mission,

Taking note of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the third and fourth reports of the Director of the Mission, regarding compliance by the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca with their commitments under the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and to the human rights aspects of the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples,

Acknowledging the support given to the Mission by the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca,

Concerned by the inadequate implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights, as reported by the Director of the Mission, and in particular the lack of action on the Mission’s recommendations throughout the year 1995,

Welcoming the commitment expressed by President Alvaro Arzu to the struggle against impunity and the continuation of the peace process with the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, within the Framework Agreement for the Resumption of the Negotiating Process between the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca of 10 January 1994, as well as his support for the continuation of the Mission,

Also welcoming the resumption of the negotiations between the two parties and their commitment to revitalizing the negotiations with a view to the early signing of a final peace agreement,

Acknowledging the efforts of the Secretary-General, the Group of Friends of the Guatemala peace process and the United Nations programmes and agencies for their support to the Guatemala peace process,

Having considered the recommendations of the Secretary-General regarding the renewal of the mandate of the Mission, contained in his report on the Mission,

1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Commitments of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala;

2. Takes note with satisfaction of the third and fourth reports of the Director of the Mission;

3. Decides to authorize within existing resources and in a manner consistent with the effective fulfilment of its mandate the renewal of the mandate of the Mission for a further period of nine months and thirteen days, that is, until 31 December 1996, in accordance with the recommendations of the Secretary-General;

4. Calls upon the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca to take effective action to implement the recommendations contained in the third and fourth reports of the Director of the Mission and to comply fully with their commitments under the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and with human rights aspects of the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

5. Reiterates the importance of the undertaking by the parties to continue to provide their broadest support to the Mission and whatever cooperation it may need to carry out its functions, particularly with respect to the security of the members of the Mission;

6. Encourages the parties to strive for the earliest conclusion of a final peace agreement;

7. Calls upon the parties to adopt all necessary steps to eradicate the suffering of the civilian population as well as measures aimed at building confidence between them;

8. Invites the international community to continue supporting institution-building and other activities undertaken by the Mission, in cooperation with United Nations programmes and agencies, with a view to facilitating implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights, in particular through voluntary contributions to the trust fund for the Guatemala peace process established by the Secretary-General;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly fully informed of the implementation of the present resolution.

103rd plenary meeting

3 April 1996