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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
April 26, 1999

Murder of Guatemalan Bishop Gerardi

Today marks the first anniversary of the murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi, an internationally renowned advocate of human rights and the rule of law. The viciousness of the attack that killed him stunned the entire world.

A year later the case remains unresolved. The killers are unidentified and remain at large. Nor, to our knowledge, has there been any significant progress in the case. Thus, we share the intense frustration of Guatemalans and many other committed to the protection of human rights. We urge Guatemalan authorities to undertake new, vigorous efforts to identify all those involved and to bring them to justice.

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