UN experts on enforced disappearances to visit Guatemala

GENEVA/GUATEMALA CITY – The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will conduct an official visit to Guatemala from 23 June to 2 July 2026.

The Working Group delegation – comprising human rights experts Aua Baldé and Ana Lorena Delgdillo Pérez – is visiting Guatemala at the invitation of the Government, will travel to Guatemala City and meet with State officials, including governmental institutions tasked with the search and investigation of cases of enforced disappearances, representatives of the judicial and legislative branches of the State, the National Police Archive, as well as with victims, their legal representatives, civil society organisations and individuals working on enforced disappearances.

The experts will conduct field visits and hold meetings with victims, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society in Quetzaltenango, Suchitepequez, Petén, and Escuintla, focused on enforced disappearances related to the internal armed conflict, and enforced disappearances in the context of migration.

During the visit, the Working Group will participate in an event commemorating the National Day against Enforced Disappearances in Guatemala City, on 23 June 2026. They will also pay tribute to victims and their families at the Paisajes de la Memoria memorial in San Juan Comalapa and the Centro Intercultural of Quetzaltenango.

The delegation will examine matters related to the Working Group’s mandate, particularly the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparation in the context of enforced disappearances, efforts towards the preservation of memory, measures aimed at preventing enforced disappearances, and enforced disappearances in the context of migration.

The experts will share their preliminary observations at a press conference on Thursday, 2 July 2026, at 12:00 p.m. local time at the Wyndham Garden Guatemala City. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

The Working Group will present a final report containing its findings and recommendations at the 66^th session of the Human Rights Council in September 2027.