This Thursday, September 12, the Congress of the Republic held a Solemn Session to commemorate the 203 years of the Independence of Guatemala, which was attended by the three presidents of the branches of government, ministers, magistrates and diplomatic corps accredited in the country.
The three heads of the branches of government addressed the full House of Representatives of the Congress of the Republic to discuss the commemoration of independence, but also took the opportunity to speak about the challenges in terms of justice that lie ahead for the country with the election of judges for the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) and the Courts of Appeals.
They also recalled the events that have taken place in Guatemala since the 2023 elections, in which Bernardo Arévalo was elected president of Guatemala.
“Silencing of justice”
Table of Contents
- 1 “Silencing of justice”
- 2 Movements
- 3 Choice of cuts
- 4 Assistance
- 5 – What were the key themes discussed by Guatemala’s leaders during the 203rd independence anniversary celebration?
- 6 – What were the main challenges facing the justice system in Guatemala as highlighted during the 203rd independence celebration?
Table of Contents
During his speech, President Bernardo Arévalo was critical of the justice system, as he stated that there are no institutions at its service and rather there is a “muting of justice” in the country.
Arévalo asked the deputies to listen to the clamor of the population and to remain “in tune,” since he believes that challenges for justice in Guatemala are approaching.
“A restless listening that demands bravery, that demands courage to interpret the times. A listening that can be uncomfortable because it cannot be indifferent to the pain and suffering that today represents not having institutions at the service of justice, or rather, the silencing of justice,” said Arévalo.
The president also said that the “heavy responsibility” of initiating a virtuous cycle of justice, progress and prosperity rests on the shoulders of the deputies.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we must remain in tune, because important challenges for justice in Guatemala are anticipated, justice is worthwhile, democracy is worthwhile,” Arévalo added.
The president did not specify in his speech which issues he was referring to specifically; however, the election of the judges of the CSJ and the Court of Appeals is approaching in Congress, in addition to the fact that the initiative to reform the Organic Law of the Public Ministry, which would seek to return to the President of the Republic the power to remove the attorney general in office, is still in the pipeline.
In addition, Congress has recently given its support to the ruling party by approving a budget increase of more than Q14 billion, which has brought back the agreement of the “official alliance.”
Movements
The president also gave a historical overview of independence and social movements from the time of the conquest to the present, including the latest of them, in 2023, when he assured that democracy was defended.
“We defended our Republic with our bodies, we defended our freedom with our souls. Independence is not just a symbol of our struggles, independence is not an empty word, independence is the daily, living and permanent struggle for the defense of our freedom, a continuous process,” said the president.
“We have recently chosen to free ourselves from the yoke of corruption embedded in government institutions. A weight that as a country we cannot allow to continue to subdue our people (…) a cycle that must be broken and to which we can never return. Corruption has always been the antithesis of independence,” concluded Arévalo.
Choice of cuts
For his part, the president of the Judicial Branch (OJ), Oscar Cruz, in addition to speaking about the importance of independence and respect for the Constitution, referred to the upcoming election of courts for Congress, but where the magistrates of the CSJ are part of those who must integrate the list of candidates for magistrates of the Court of Appeals.
“Guatemala is going through complicated and difficult times, but it is in the hands of each one of us to give a positive response. We are on the verge of joining one of the State agencies where our commitment is that of each one of us who are present, where our commitment will be reflected at the time of selection and later in the vote because we need people committed to the justice system, people committed to independence,” Cruz said.
Cruz’s speech came amid the division that exists between him and the judges of the CSJ.
Meanwhile, the President of Congress, Nery Ramos, referred in his speech to last year’s elections.
“Just under a year ago, the people of Guatemala experienced a civic celebration in which, through universal suffrage, they elected those of us who now occupy positions of authority. Now, respected deputies and public officials, we are responsible before history for the role we will play in the office that the people have delegated to us,” he said.
Assistance
The substitute magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Constitutional Court, as well as the judges of the CSJ, attended the Solemn Session.
Also in attendance were the United States ambassador to Guatemala, Tobin Bradley; the European Union ambassador to Guatemala, Thomas Peyker; and the Apostolic Nuncio, Francisco Montecillo.
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#Arévalo #justice #silenced #asks #deputies #remain #tune
– What were the key themes discussed by Guatemala’s leaders during the 203rd independence anniversary celebration?
Commemorating 203 Years of Independence: Guatemala’s Leaders Reflect on Justice and Progress
This Thursday, September 12, the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala held a Solemn Session to mark 203 years of independence, bringing together the three presidents of the country’s branches of government, ministers, magistrates, and members of the diplomatic corps. The ceremony provided a platform for Guatemalan leaders to discuss the nation’s journey towards independence, as well as the challenges that lie ahead, particularly in the realm of justice.
The Quest for Justice
During his address, President Bernardo Arévalo expressed concern over the state of justice in Guatemala, describing it as a “silencing of justice.” He urged the deputies to listen to the demands of the people and to remain vigilant, as the country approaches critical decisions that will shape its future. The president emphasized the importance of bravery and courage in interpreting the times, and ensuring that justice is served.
Arévalo also highlighted the ”heavy responsibility” that rests on the shoulders of the deputies to initiate a virtuous cycle of justice, progress, and prosperity. While he did not specify the exact challenges that Guatemala faces, his comments come at a time when the election of judges to the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) and the Courts of Appeals is nearing, and the initiative to reform the Organic Law of the Public Ministry remains pending.
A Historical Overview
The president also provided a historical overview of Guatemala’s journey towards independence, highlighting the various social movements that have shaped the nation’s destiny. He recalled the 2023 elections, which saw the defense of democracy, and emphasized that independence is not just a symbol of the past, but a living and permanent struggle for the defense of freedom.
The Upcoming Election of Judges
The president of the Judicial Branch (OJ), Oscar Cruz, emphasized the importance of respect for the Constitution and the upcoming election of judges to the SCJ and the Courts of Appeals. He stressed the need for commitment to the justice system and independence, amidst the current division between him and the judges of the CSJ.
Attendance and Reflections
The Solemn Session was attended by a range of dignitaries, including the substitute magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Constitutional Court, judges of the SCJ, and members of the diplomatic corps. The United States ambassador to Guatemala, Tobin Bradley, and the European Union ambassador to Guatemala were also present.
In his address, the President of Congress, Nery Ramos, reflected on last year’s elections and the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of public officials to play a positive role in shaping the country’s future.
Conclusion
The Solemn Session marked an important milestone in Guatemala’s journey towards independence, providing an opportunity for the country’s leaders to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. As the nation approaches critical decisions on justice and governance, the words of President Arévalo resonate: “We must remain in tune, because important challenges for justice in Guatemala are anticipated, justice is worthwhile, democracy is worthwhile.”
Optimized Keywords: Guatemala, Independence, Bernardo Arévalo, Justice, Supreme Court of Justice, Courts of Appeals, Oscar Cruz, Nery Ramos, Congress of the Republic, Solemn Session.
– What were the main challenges facing the justice system in Guatemala as highlighted during the 203rd independence celebration?
Guatemala Celebrates 203 Years of Independence: Leaders Address Justice System and Upcoming Challenges
On Thursday, September 12, Guatemala commemorated 203 years of independence with a solemn session at the Congress of the Republic. The event was attended by the three presidents of the branches of government, ministers, magistrates, and diplomatic corps accredited in the country. During the session, the leaders addressed the challenges facing the country, particularly in the justice system.
“Silencing of Justice”
In his speech, President Bernardo Arévalo was critical of the current justice system, stating that there are no institutions at its service and instead, there is a “muting of justice” in the country. He urged the deputies to listen to the people’s demands and to remain “in tune” with the times. Arévalo emphasized the importance of bravery and courage in interpreting the times and addressing the pain and suffering caused by the lack of institutions serving justice.
Movements
The president also gave a historical overview of independence and social movements in Guatemala, from the time of the conquest to the present. He highlighted the latest movement in 2023, when democracy was defended, and emphasized the importance of continuous struggle for the defense of freedom.
Choice of Cuts
Oscar Cruz, the president of the Judicial Branch, spoke about the importance of independence and respect for the Constitution. He also referred to the upcoming election of courts for Congress, highlighting the need for a positive response to the country’s challenges.
Key Themes Discussed
During the 203rd independence anniversary celebration, Guatemala’s leaders discussed several key themes, including:
The challenges facing the justice system and the need for institutions to serve justice.
The importance of listening to the people’s demands and remaining “in tune” with the times.
The historical significance of independence and social movements in Guatemala.
The need for a positive response to the country’s challenges, particularly in the justice system.
Assistance
The three heads of the branches of government emphasized the importance of working together to address the country’s challenges. They also highlighted the need for assistance from all sectors of society to build a better future for Guatemala.
the 203rd independence anniversary celebration in Guatemala was marked by calls for justice, democracy, and freedom. The country’s leaders emphasized the need for institutions to serve justice and for the people to remain vigilant in defending their rights. As Guatemala looks to the future, it is clear that the country faces significant challenges, but with unity and determination, it can overcome them and build a better future for all.
