For 36 years, 1960-1996, Guatemalans endured a civil war between military dictatorships and the indigenous Maya. The cumulative death toll is estimated at 200,000.
The years between 1978-1983 are called the “Silent Holocaust” because of the mass extinction of a civilization more than 500 years old. The ethnic purging of Mayans increased under the rule of Gen. Fernando Garcia when more than 10,000 natives were killed.
The most egregious killings came in the short period of 1982-1983 when Gen. Rios Montt directed the slayings of more than 70,000 Mayans in the “scorched earth” campaign where entire villages were razed, women gang-raped, men slaughtered and crops burned to the ground.
Despite the overthrow of Gen. Montt, efforts to uncover the truths were met with more violence and deaths, including a bishop who championed human rights.
What followed were 15 years of deafening silence.
The fear was too great. Even armed with a new government, a new constitution and a U.N.-brokered peace accord, the people had been traumatized by the terror.
Until now.
Monday, Gen. Montt, 86, was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. His sentence is 80 years. The conviction is noteworthy because it’s the first time a former head of state was convicted in his own country for such crimes.
National courts around the world should do likewise. Heads up Basha al-Assad of Syria. Take note Kim Jong-il of North Korea. Don’t be so smug, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
You, too, could be held accountable for crimes against your countrymen and be given your due.
The waiting is over. May Guatemala’s dead rest in peace.
— Susan Lynn
Justice prevails in Guatemala
