DPLF, together with international organizations that contribute to the promotion of the rule of law and human rights in Guatemala categorically reject the arbitrary decision of the Attorney General, María Consuelo Porras, to dismiss Prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval, Head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity (FECI). This represents a serious blow to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the fight against impunity in the country.

Sandoval’s dismissal also violates international law, since the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has been emphatic in pointing out that the removal of a prosecutor from office must be exclusively due to permissible causes, serious disciplinary faults or incompetence and that a prior fair, objective and impartial procedure is required in accordance with the Constitution or the law.