The former military ruler of Guatemala, Efrain Rios Montt, has begun his trial for charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.
The trial was hailed by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay who said,
"This is the first time, anywhere in the world, that a former head of State is being put on trial for genocide by a national tribunal”
"Until quite recently, no one believed a trial like this could possibly take place in Guatemala, and the fact that it is happening there ... should give encouragement to victims of human rights violations all over the world."
Attorney General Claudia Paz y Paz told Reuters
"It's historic... We cannot leave thousands of deaths unpunished. We must deliver justice to the victims."
Montt stands accused of overseeing a period in which more than 1,800 people were killed during his 17-month-rule of the country in the 1980’s.
Montt’s defence lawyer, Francisco Garcia howver argued that no such genocide has taken place, telling the court,
"Ríos Montt never gave a written or verbal order to exterminate the Ixils in this country”.
