European Court of Human Rights judgments. The judgments were regarding the violation of the right to freedom of association in relation to the authorities’ refusal to register associations of Greece’s national minorities in 2007, 2008 and 2015. The new provision amended the Code of Civil Procedure to allow the possibility of reopening proceedings in these cases. However, the NGO Greek Helsinki Monitor expressed concern over the limitations placed by the law in relation to the reopening of such proceedings, including on grounds of national security and public order. GUATEMALA Republic of Guatemala Head of state and government: Jimmy Morales Cabrera Thousands continued to flee the country to escape high levels of inequality and violence. Human rights defenders, in particular those working on land, territorial and environmental issues, were at great risk and faced smear campaigns. Impunity and corruption persisted, undermining public trust in local authorities and hindering access to justice. Recent progress to consolidate the criminal justice system and the rule of law was challenged. High-profile cases of past crimes under international law remained stalled. LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL OR INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS In August, Augusto Jordan Rodas took up office as Ombudsperson for Human Rights. In November, the last criminal provisions referring to the death penalty were declared unconstitutional. TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE Despite progress in the prosecution of some crimes against humanity committed during the internal armed conflict (1960-1996), efforts towards truth, justice and reparations remained halted, and the vast majority of cases continued to suffer setbacks and undue delays. Five former members of the 180 military, including the former head of the High Command of the Guatemalan Army, were sent to trial charged with crimes against humanity and rape against Emma Guadalupe Molina Theissen, and the enforced disappearance of her younger brother, Marco Antonio Molina Theissen. Criminal proceedings remained stalled against former members of the military on charges related to multiple cases of enforced disappearances and unlawful killings carried out in a military base, now known as Creompaz, in the northern Alta Verapaz region. Appeals filed against decisions affecting the victims’ rights were pending and several officers remained at large. In both cases, victims and human rights defenders were intimidated and harassed inside or outside the court and online. After several failed attempts since 2015, the trials of former military head of state José Efraín Ríos Montt and former intelligence chief Rodríguez Sánchez resumed in October. IMPUNITY Judges and prosecutors continued to face intimidation and pressure. Efforts to fight impunity were at great risk of setbacks due to increased resistance from certain political actors. A constitutional reform introduced in Congress in November 2016, aimed at consolidating efforts towards justice and accountability and strengthening the independence of the judiciary, had not been approved at the end of the year. Mass protests took place in August and September and the country faced a political crisis when several members of the government resigned in September, in reaction to President Morales’ attempt to expel the head of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (an independent body established by the UN and the Guatemalan government in 2006 to strengthen the rule of law postconflict). HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Human rights defenders faced continuous threats, stigmatization, intimidation and attacks. Amnesty International Report 2017/18