Update: Rios Montt Conviction Overturned
On May 10, the court system in Guatemala finally announced and declared Rios Montt GUILTY of act of genocide in the country. While the sentence (80 years total!) has been officially declared, and while he will probably sit and spend his last years in a luxurious complex in one of the jails in the country, …
Update-May 21: The New York Times has reported the Rios Montt verdict has been overturned. To read more, click here.
May 10: The court system in Guatemala finally announced and declared Rios Montt GUILTY of act of genocide in the country. While the sentence (80 years total!) has been officially declared, and while he will probably sit and spend his last years in a luxurious complex in one of the jails in the country, the important thing is not where and how he will live in the last years of his life, but the affirmation that genocide took place in the country and that he was one of the fundamental actors and architects of the genocide. May the all the world acknowledge this!!
Dear creator God, we give thanks to you for shinning your light, strength and power today. Help us, Holy Spirit to remember all the grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sons, fathers and grandfathers who were executed, killed, disappeared and tortured in the country. And in particular, the Ixil women and men who had the courage and strength to face Rios Montt during the trials, as they gave full accounts of their testimonies. Bless them Lord, and give them strength.
We celebrate and pray for the lives all the children, babies, women and men who lost their lives and may their souls and spirits finally rest in peace. Guide their way, oh lord.
Give us strength and affirmation to continue denouncing all acts of injustice and repression. Help us continue denouncing the new war in Guatemala. A war where Xinca and Maya communities continue to be repressed through new acts of violence, which include the open pit mining projects in their communities. Help us find justice for them lord.
Amen.
On behalf of my father, mother and the more than 30 members of my own family who were victims of the war and acts of genocide,
Gloria Vicente
Learn more about Gloria’s work in Guatemala through her profile and blog – Ecumenic Guatemala
For further reading on Rios Montt: