UN General Assembly
1988

However, as we strive to consolidate democracy we face the intransigence of extremist elements using every means available to them to deny us democratic opportunities, slandering and discrediting the process and using international forums and the good will of some representatives to mislead and to distort the truth of what is happening in my country, presenting pictures of earlier times, not of what is now going on in Guatemala. Here I would appeal to the international community not to allow itself to be misled by groups that politicise human rights committees, thus trying to win outside the country battles that they have lost within it. Condemnation and criticism of countries that have started on democratic consolidation are no help. We have this year worked closely with the expert adviser rightly designated by the Commission on Human Rights, with whom we have prepared a plan of support for national institutions that promote respect for human rights and monitor compliance with the law and its correct implementation.