Basic Agreement for the Search for Peace by Political Means ('Oslo Agreement')

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Country/entity: Guatemala
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Basic Agreement for the Search for Peace by Political Means ('Oslo Agreement')
Date: 30 Mar 1990
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Guatemalan Civil War (1960 - 1996)
Civil war broke out in Guatemala when numerous leftist and agrarian groups took up arms in 1960 in face of the repression from the conservative regime of Carlos Castillo Armas. The Armas regime came to power in 1954 following a CIA-backed coup against the leftist government of Jacobo Arbenz. The main rebel umbrella was the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG). During the civil war numerous counts of genocide and mass disappearances occurred. In the late 1980s, when a civilian government came to power, the URNG changed tactics when releasing that they wouldn’t come to power through armed conflict. The war came to an end on December 29, 1996, and since then URNG converted to an official political party.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Guatemala peace process
Parties: Delegation of the National Reconciliation Commission of Guatemala, representing the Guatemalan Government: (Signad) Jorge SERRANO ELIAS; (Signed) Mario PERMUTH; (Signid) Eduardo P. VILLATORO;
Delegation of the General Command of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca: (Signed) Luis DECKER GUZMAN; (Signed) Francisco VILLAGRAN; (Signed) Jorge E. ROSAL;

For the delegation of the National Reconciliation Commission: (Signed) Jorge SERRANO ELIAS; (Signed) Mario PERMUTH; (Signed) Eduardo P. VILLATORO Executive Secretary of CNR;
For the delegation of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca: (Signed) Luis BECKER GUZMAN; (Signed) Francisco VILLAGRAN M.; (Signer) Jorge E. ROSAL;
Third parties: UN (observer), National Reconciliation Commission (conciliator)
Description: Sets out arrangements for facilitation of future dialogue and confirms appointment and mandate of National Reconciliation Committee (CNR) Conciliator and invitation of UN monitoring force. Outlines plans for series of consultations involving Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) and a range of civil and political groups leading to direct dialogue with the government at an unspecified future date.

Agreement document: GT_900330_OsloAgreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: Groups→Religious groups→Substantive
Page 2-3, ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.
(b) The National Reconciliation Commission shall, by mutual agreement with URNG, create the mechanisms required for the convening, preferably in June 1990, of the necessary meetings between the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca and representatives of the country's popular, religious and business sectors, as well as other politically representative entities, with a view to finding ways of solving the nation's problems.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: note of thanks for support and solidarity of the Norwegian Church and its Council for External Relations, and the Bishop of Oslo, for hosting Talks. 'Activities to be Carried Out' (b) National Reconciliation Commission to convene meetings between URNG and reps of country's popular, religious, and business sectors, with a view to finding ways to resolve the nation's problems;

Page 2-3, ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.
(b) The National Reconciliation Commission shall, by mutual agreement with URNG, create the mechanisms required for the convening, preferably in June 1990, of the necessary meetings between the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca and representatives of the country's popular, religious and business sectors, as well as other politically representative entities, with a view to finding ways of solving the nation's problems.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 1, Untitled Preamble
... Thanks are also due to the Lutheran World Federation, which sponsored and made this meeting possible by virtue of its persistent efforts. We mention especially its Secretary-General, Dr. Gunnar Salsett, the Under-Secretary-General for International Affairs and Human Rights, Dr. Paul Wee, and Dr. Leopoldo J. Niilus, Special Adviser on International Affairs to the Lutheran World Federation.
We are grateful too for the support and solidarity of the Norwegian Church and its Council for External Relations. Our thanks also go to the Reverend Andreas Aarflot, Bishop of Oslo.

Page 2-3, ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.
(b) The National Reconciliation Commission shall, by mutual agreement with URNG, create the mechanisms required for the convening, preferably in June 1990, of the necessary meetings between the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca and representatives of the country's popular, religious and business sectors, as well as other politically representative entities, with a view to finding ways of solving the nation's problems.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 2, BASIC AGREEMENT FOR THE SEARCH FOR PEACE BY POLITICAL MEANS
In the city of Oslo, Norway, the delegation of the National Reconciliation Commission (CNR) of Guatemala, acting with the full support of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala and in the conciliatory role attributed to it under the Esquipulas II Agreement, and the delegation of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), with the full support of its General Command, having met from 26 to 30 March 1990 expressly for the purpose of finding ways to bring about a peaceful solution of the nation's problems by political means, and recognizing that this objective is fundamental to the achievement of reconciliation between Guatemalans and to the solution of the nation's problems, do agree to initiate a serious process which will culminate in the attainment of peace and the enhancement of functional and participatory democracy in Guatemala.

Page 2, ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 2-3, ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.
(b) The National Reconciliation Commission shall, by mutual agreement with URNG, create the mechanisms required for the convening, preferably in June 1990, of the necessary meetings between the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca and representatives of the country's popular, religious and business sectors, as well as other politically representative entities, with a view to finding ways of solving the nation's problems.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 2-3, ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.
(c) Talks with a view to achieving a political solution of the internal armed confrontation shall be held, on a date to be established by mutual agreement between the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, between representatives - with decision-making powers - of the Government of the Republic, the Guatemalan Army and the General Command of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca. The National Reconciliation Commission shall take part in these meetings for purposes of confirmation and verification, in accordance with the functions attributed to it under the Esquipulas II Agreement.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Untitled Preamble
The delegation of the Reconciliation Commission of Guatemala, acting with the full support of the Government of the Republic and in the conciliatory role attributed to it under the Esquipulas II Agreement, and the delegation of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), acting with the full support of its General Command, [...]

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 2, GOOD OFFICES
... The National Reconciliation Commission and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca agree to request the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, to observe the activities to be carried out and to act as guarantor of compliance with the agreements and commitments entered into upon signature of this document.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN Peacemaker. Available at: https://peacemaker.un.org/guatemala-osloagreement90 (Accessed 6 October 2020).

ANNEX III

OSLO AGREEMENT

The delegation of the Reconciliation Commission of Guatemala, acting with the full support of the Government of the Republic and in the conciliatory role attributed to it under the Esquipulas II Agreement, and the delegation of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), acting with the full support of its General Command, express their profound satisfaction upon the signature of the

BASIC AGREEMENT FOR THE SEARCH FOR PEACE BY POLITICAL MEANS

following the serious, wide-ranging and frank discussions held from 26 to 30 March 1990 in the welcoming city of Oslo, with the kind hospitality of the Government of Norway and under the auspices of the Lutheran World Federation.

In conclusion, the two delegations attending the Oslo meeting wish to record their deep gratitude to the exemplary people and Government of Norway for having made it possible to hold this extremely important meeting in their territory.

We are most particularly grateful for the presence of Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway.

Thanks are also due to the Lutheran World Federation, which sponsored and made this meeting possible by virtue of its persistent efforts.

We mention especially its Secretary-General, Dr. Gunnar Salsett, the Under-Secretary-General for International Affairs and Human Rights, Dr. Paul Wee, and Dr. Leopoldo J. Niilus, Special Adviser on International Affairs to the Lutheran World Federation.

We are grateful too for the support and solidarity of the Norwegian Church and its Council for External Relations.

Our thanks also go to the Reverend Andreas Aarflot, Bishop of Oslo.

DONE in the city of Oslo, Norway, this 29th day of March, 1990.

Delegation of the National Reconciliation Commission of Guatemala, representing the Guatemalan Government:

(Signad) Jorge SERRANO ELIAS

(Signed) Mario PERMUTH

(Signid) Eduardo P. VILLATORO

Delegation of the General Command of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca:

(Signed) Luis DECKER GUZMAN

(Signed) Francisco VILLAGRAN

(Signed) Jorge E. ROSAL

BASIC AGREEMENT FOR THE SEARCH FOR PEACE BY POLITICAL MEANS

In the city of Oslo, Norway, the delegation of the National Reconciliation Commission (CNR) of Guatemala, acting with the full support of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala and in the conciliatory role attributed to it under the Esquipulas II Agreement, and the delegation of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG), with the full support of its General Command, having met from 26 to 30 March 1990 expressly for the purpose of finding ways to bring about a peaceful solution of the nation's problems by political means, and recognizing that this objective is fundamental to the achievement of reconciliation between Guatemalans and to the solution of the nation's problems, do agree to initiate a serious process which will culminate in the attainment of peace and the enhancement of functional and participatory democracy in Guatemala.

The two delegations shall, by mutual agreement, proceed to exercise their

GOOD OFFICES

In accordance with the spirit of the Esquipulas II Agreement, the National Reconciliation Commission shall take steps to facilitate and sustain the peace-seeking activities to which this Agreement refers, through its good offices and the appointment as Conciliator, by agreement with URNG, of Monsignor Rodolfo Quezada Torufio in his capacity as Chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission.

It shall be the function of the Conciliator to propose initiatives to all the parties, to facilitate and sustain dialogue and negotiation and to impart momentum to that process, and to analyse whatever similarities or differences there may be between the positions of the parties.

He shall be entitled to propose initiatives and solutions for discussion and agreement and shall perform all other functions required for the proper fulfilment of his commitment.

The National Reconciliation Commission and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca agree to request the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, to observe the activities to be carried out and to act as guarantor of compliance with the agreements and commitments entered into upon signature of this document.

ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The two delegations agree to launch activities which will generate conditions permitting the definitive attainment of peace and the enhancement of democracy.

(a) A meeting shall be held between representatives of the political parties of the Republic of Guatemala and representatives of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca.

The National Reconciliation Commission and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca shall, by mutual agreement, decide the conditions under which this meeting will take place.

The parties shall make the efforts required for the meeting to be held in the second fortnight of May 1990.

(b) The National Reconciliation Commission shall, by mutual agreement with URNG, create the mechanisms required for the convening, preferably in June 1990, of the necessary meetings between the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca and representatives of the country's popular, religious and business sectors, as well as other politically representative entities, with a view to finding ways of solving the nation's problems.

(c) Talks with a view to achieving a political solution of the internal armed confrontation shall be held, on a date to be established by mutual agreement between the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, between representatives - with decision-making powers - of the Government of the Republic, the Guatemalan Army and the General Command of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca.

The National Reconciliation Commission shall take part in these meetings for purposes of confirmation and verification, in accordance with the functions attributed to it under the Esquipulas II Agreement.

SIGNED in the city of Oslo this 30th day of March 1990.

For the delegation of the National Reconciliation Commission:

(Signed) Jorge SERRANO ELIAS

(Signed) Mario PERMUTH

(Signed) Eduardo P. VILLATORO Executive Secretary of CNR

For the delegation of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca:

(Signed) Luis BECKER GUZMAN

(Signed) Francisco VILLAGRAN M.

(Signer) Jorge E. ROSAL