From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the rape camps of Bosnia, to comfort women for Japanese soldiers during World War II, to Native Americans women by colonial powers, rape has been used as a crime of genocide. Tragically and inhumanely, women and young children have been treated as spoils of war throughout the ages.

This week, 81-year old, retired general Hector Mario Lopez Fuentes, was arrested for alleged crimes of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He served as armed forces chief in Efrain Rios Montt’s military government during Guatemala’s civil war 30 years ago.


UN News Centre Source

General Lopez Fuentes faces accusations that he directed a policy of wide-scale military attacks against civilians, particularly indigenous Mayans, during which entire villages were destroyed and countless women and girls were raped.

Margot Wallström, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, issued a statement in which she stressed that ending impunity is essential if a country or society is to come to terms with past abuses against civilians.

Numerous Guatemalans were the victims of human rights violations during the country’s protracted civil war, and the UN helped the Government set up the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) in an effort to tackle the problem.

“The apprehension of General Lopez Fuentes sends a strong signal to all perpetrators that conflict-related sexual violence is not acceptable, and that justice will ultimately prevail,” Ms. Wallström said.

“Sexual violence thrives on silence and impunity,” she added. “Women have no rights if those who violate their rights go unpunished.”

The envoy urged Guatemalan authorities to ensure the protection of victims, witnesses, human rights defenders and others throughout any legal action they may take to uphold their rights.


Newly appointed Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet talked about how gender-based violence takes place “in rich and poor countries, in urban and rural areas, in situation of peace and conflict and in the aftermath of natural disasters.”



General Hector Fuentes’ arrest was a déjà vu experience of last month’s arrest of General Ratko Mladic. Another war criminal accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, attacks on civilians, and gender-based violence of his forces on women. At least the Mladic arrest was 15 years, not 30 years, after his purported crimes. Justice is served, albeit historically late.


----By, Susan Sacirbey

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