On July 17th, the Guatemalan government established a long awaited compensation fund for victims of human rights abuses that occurred during the country’s 36-year civil war. Although the creation of this fund was stipulated as part of the 1996 peace accords that marked the end of the war, it has only now been realized. The fund currently holds US$7.6 million but advocates will push for a US$31 million increase in 2004.
