The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Albert Koenders, paid a working visit to Guatemala as part of his official visit to Latin America. At the request of the Dutch government, Hivos organized a dialogue between the authorities and representatives of civil society during Koenders’visit.

The Minister’s official visit to Guatemala aimed to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries and to discuss issues of common interest, after the close of the Netherlands Embassy in Guatemala, 2013.

Koenders’ agenda included meetings with officials, businessmen and representatives of international organizations that work to defend human rights, such as the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).

Hivos facilitated the dialogue between Koenders and representatives of the main organizations promoting human rights in Guatemala.

Minister Koenders promised to expand Dutch support for the application civil rights in Guatemala and to review the possibility of reopening some diplomatic space in the country.

Hivos has worked closely with civil society organizations in Guatemala since 2009. 

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