From the 20-24th March 2018, Professor Ross Cranston visited Guatemala with Lizzette Robleto de Howarth , International Programmes Manager of the Law Society. The purpose of the visit was to promote the Rule of Law at a critical time in Guatemala's contemporary history. All observers regard the President’s appointment of the new Attorney General as crucial to the prosecution of corruption and other offences by high officials.
Professor Cranston gave the key note speech at a well-attended forum co-sponsored by the UK’s Embassy in Guatemala. He identified the international principles of judicial independence and the experience of the UK in this regard. The speech was covered in a number of newspapers. Separately he gave an interview to a Guatemalan newspaper and was interviewed live on a Guatemalan radio station.
He said: “The message on both occasions was essentially this is a crucial time for the Rule of Law in Guatemala. The new Attorney General must have integrity, experience, a resolute character and a commitment to the Rule of Law and human rights. As well the process must be conducted with integrity and transparency.”
During the visit, he and Ms Robleto had meetings with key officials in the implementation of the Rule of Law and human rights in Guatemala, including Commissioner Velasquez, appointed by the Secretary General of the UN, and Augusto Jordan Rodas, the human rights Ombudsman. They also met judges and human rights lawyers and defenders