IMPUNITY There was little progress in the investigation and prosecution of human rights violations and war crimes perpetrated during the internal armed conflict between 1960 and 1996. A bill that would grant amnesty for those suspected of criminal responsibility for these crimes advanced in Congress. It was still pending approval at the end of the year. WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ RIGHTS Levels of violence against women and girls remained high. Local organizations reported difficulties in accessing justice for women survivors of gender-based violence. The CEDAW Committee raised concerns about the criminalization of abortion in Guatemala, where it was only permitted if the life of the pregnant woman was at risk, and the limited access to safe abortion and postabortion services. High rates of child pregnancy remained of particular concern. Between January and October, the Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health recorded 52,878 births to girls and young women aged between 10 and 19. LGBTI PEOPLE’S RIGHTS LGBTI people faced high levels of violence and discrimination. According to the National LGBTIQ+ Human Rights Observatory, at least 34 people were killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity during the year. Same-sex marriage remained illegal. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS Indigenous Peoples continued to demand that their rights to their lands be recognized. In a context of insecure land tenure, violent evictions were reported. Ancestral authorities and those who defend land and territory faced unfounded criminal charges. RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT The National Climate Change Fund, created in 2022, was still not operating by the end of the year. The authorities warned that droughts and floods, linked to the impacts of El Niño and The State of the World’s Human Rights aggravated by climate change, could exacerbate malnutrition. 1. “Guatemala: Peaceful protesters face imminent risks”, 12 October 2. “Guatemala: Prisoner of conscience Virginia Laparra has now been arbitrarily detained in prison for one year”, 23 February 3. “Guatemala: Freedom for Claudia González”, 12 September (Spanish only) GUINEA Republic of Guinea Access to the main social networks was disrupted, and news websites, radio and television were targeted. All demonstrations continued to be banned except those in favour of the transitional authorities. Security forces killed demonstrators and arbitrarily arrested journalists. Four people were convicted in the M’Mah Sylla case. The authorities launched legal proceedings on marine pollution. BACKGROUND The trial of former head of state Moussa Dadis Camara and several former senior security officials for their role in the 28 September 2009 massacre – during which 157 people were killed by defence and security forces and more than 100 were victims of sexual violence – resumed on 13 November, nine days after an armed commando attacked Conakry prison and released four of the main defendants, including Moussa Dadis Camara. All were caught except for Claude Pivi, former minister of presidential security. Following an explosion at the country’s main fuel depot in Conakry on the night of 17/18 December – killing 24 people and injuring more than 450 – the resulting fuel shortage led to an increase in the cost of living, school and university closures and frequent power cuts. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION On 31 October, the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that Guinea had violated the rights to freedom of expression and of information by 187