AAN: minister van buitenlandse zaken Mario Búcaro, directeur van de presidentiële commissie voor vrede en mensenrechten Silvia Valdés, openbaar aanklager Consuelo Porras en voorzitter van het hooggerechtshof Ramiro Alejandro Contreras Escobar 

Respected officials, 

I am deeply concerned about the unjust detention of Virginia Laparra, a respected anti-corruption prosecutor in Guatemala. Ms. Laparra is currently serving a four-year jail sentence and is facing a second trial that could extend her imprisonment. 

Amnesty International, after reviewing the case, has deemed her a prisoner of conscience. Moreover, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions declared her detention to be arbitrary under international law on 12 June 2023. 

I urge you to comply with the decision of the UN Working Group and to ensure that Ms. Laparra is immediately released from jail. It is vital for Guatemala that the fight against corruption and impunity is not hindered, but rather supported and protected. 

I sincerely hope you will consider my request and take immediate steps towards ensuring justice for Virginia Laparra. 

Yours sincerely,