Address by Minister Dion on Canada-Guatemala bilateral relationship

Speech

October 13, 2016 - Guatemala City, Guatemala

Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

This year marks an important milestone in the relationship between our two countries. We celebrate 55 years of bilateral relations and, for Canada, 40 years of development cooperation in Guatemala.

Our two countries collaborate on a wide range of issues, including human rights protection; justice and security reforms, maternal health, women and girls, employment and entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility and climate change resilience. Guatemala is also Canada’s largest bilateral trading partner in Central America. Our engagement and programming align with Guatemala’s Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle, its National Development Plan and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

I am pleased to have just signed, with Carlos Raúl Morales, Guatemala’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, a memorandum of understanding that institutionalizes bilateral consultations between our two countries with a view to working together on issues of mutual interest, as well as taking advantage of future opportunities for collaboration. This memorandum is another step toward strengthening the friendship between our peoples and governments.

This year also marks 20 years since the signature of Guatemala’s peace agreement. It is an important time to take stock of the advances made to date and the challenges and work that remain. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian efforts abroad. In fact, I look forward to continuing to discuss these themes, including the challenges faced by human rights defenders, during my visit today. My visit here also serves to explore ways to further increase our collaboration on these issues.

We welcome the recent steps taken by the Government of Guatemala to improve its justice system and fight corruption and impunity. In that regard, we are pleased to be supporting the work of the Attorney General’s Office and the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, whose head I will be meeting today.

The investigations they have undertaken have been, and continue to be, game-changing for a better governed, more transparent and just Guatemala. That said, I was concerned to learn that Attorney General Thelma Aldana, Judge Miguel Angel Galvez and other justice system actors and human rights advocates have been subjected to threats and intimidation. I have just discussed with Minister Morales the measures the Guatemalan government is putting in place to ensure their protection. We will continue strengthening our support of the Guatemala justice system and human rights defenders.

In this regard, I am happy to be accompanied by Pascal Paradis, from Lawyers Without Borders Canada, during my visit. Lawyers Without Borders Canada has been supporting an increased access to justice for those fighting impunity in collaboration with your government and civil society.

Canada and Guatemala have a strong relationship based on five decades of friendship. Looking to the future, Canada remains committed to supporting Guatemala’s efforts toward a more inclusive, democratic and safe society.

Contacts

Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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