US on human rights monitoring in Sri Lanka

In remarks at a press conference in Colombo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard A. Boucher said:

As far as calls for international human rights monitoring, we will see where that goes and how the discussion develops. I think the first responsibility for human rights monitoring falls with the government, falls with the country, falls with the people. Free press is a vital part of that, but also organizations like the Human Rights Commission and other organizations on the island need to be active in monitoring the human rights situation. The police and the other groups need to actively investigate, and it should be the government that takes responsibility for monitoring and improving the human rights situation. And then to the extent the international community can help with that, either through training or monitoring or other ways, I’m sure the international community will be happy to do that.

Guatemala, Crime, and the Elections

According to these stories, crime has emerged as a major issue in Guatemala’s upcoming elections, and problems of impunity and the country’s weak tax base are being raised.

Opinión: País sin justicia: la impunidad: Un buen lugar para cometer asesinatos, El Periódico (12 de abril de 2007)

James Painter, Crime dominates Guatemala campaign, BBC News (10 May 2007)