Press Communiqué Issued Following the Geneva Meeting Presided over by the Secretary General between Representatives of the Government of El Salvador and of the Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación nacional ('Geneva Agreement')

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Country/entity: El Salvador
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Press Communiqué Issued Following the Geneva Meeting Presided over by the Secretary General between Representatives of the Government of El Salvador and of the Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación nacional ('Geneva Agreement')
Date: 4 Apr 1990
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
El Salvador Civil War (1979 - 1992)
The civil war in El Salvador lasted from 1979 to 1992 between an authoritarian government and non-state opponents. Following a failed coup d’état, five leftist guerrilla movements merged to form the umbrella organisation Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN). U.S. support for the central Salvatorean government after 1979 lasted until its collapsed in late 1980s, after which the right-wing Republican National Alliance (Arena) filled the power vacuum. In March 1990, the rebels announced a suspension of attacks on non-military entered into talks backed by the UN and Catholic Church with the government. Despite the talks violence peaked over the next two years until the Chapultepec Peace Accords were signed in Mexico City in February 1992. Another ceasefire was signed a month later, which lasted nine months and was never broken during that time. Arena won the 1994 presidential elections and maintained a significant portion of the legislature until 2009, when the FMLN attained the presidency.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: El Salvador peace process
Parties: Representing the Government of El Salvadort: Mr. Oscar SANTAMARÍA; Ambassador Guillermo PAZ LARIN; Ambassador Ana Cristina SOL; Ambassador Carlos Ernesto MENDOZA

Representing the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberación Nacionalt: Commander Shafik RANDAL; Mr. Salvador SAMAYOA; Commander Ana Guadalupe MARTINEZ; Commander Roberto CANAS
Third parties: UN (signatory)

In the capacity assigned to me by the United Nations Security Council in resolution 637 (1989)
(Signed) Javier PEREZ DE CUELLAR
Secretary-General of the United Nations
Description: Parties agree principles for peace negotiations

Agreement document: SV_900404_GenevaAgreement.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: No specific mention.
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: Page 3,
6. The Government of El Salvador and FMLN agree that the political parties and other representative social organizations existing ia El Salvador have an important role to play in the attainment of peace. They also recognize the need for both the Government and FMLN to maintain appropriate, ongoing information and consultation mechanisms with such parties and social organizations in the country, and that the latter must undertake to preserve the secrecy necessary to the success of the dialogue process. When it is deemed appropriate and on the basis of mutual consent, the commissions may call upon representatives of these parties and organizations in order to receive their inputs.
7. The Government and FMLN likewise recognize that it is useful for the Secretary-General to maintain contacts with Salvadorian individuals and groups whose input may benefit his efforts.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
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: Page 2,
1. The purpose of the process shall be to end the armed conflict by political means as speedily as possible, promote the democratization of the country, guarantee unrestricted respect for human rights and reunify Salvadorian society.
The initial objective shall be to reach political agreements which lay the basis for a cessation of the armed conflict and of any acts that infringe the rights of the civilian population, which will have to be verified by the United Nations, subject to the approval of the Security Council. Once that has been achieved, the process shall lead to the establishment of the necessary guarantees and conditions for reintegrating the members of FMLN, within a framework of full legality, into the civil, institutional and political life of the country.
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,
1. The purpose of the process shall be to end the armed conflict by political means as speedily as possible, promote the democratization of the country, guarantee unrestricted respect for human rights and reunify Salvadorian society.
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: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 2,
1. The purpose of the process shall be to end the armed conflict by political means as speedily as possible, promote the democratization of the country, guarantee unrestricted respect for human rights and reunify Salvadorian society.
The initial objective shall be to reach political agreements which lay the basis for a cessation of the armed conflict and of any acts that infringe the rights of the civilian population, which will have to be verified by the United Nations, subject to the approval of the Security Council. Once that has been achieved, the process shall lead to the establishment of the necessary guarantees and conditions for reintegrating the members of FMLN, within a framework of full legality, into the civil, institutional and political life of the country.
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 2,
1. The purpose of the process shall be to end the armed conflict by political means as speedily as possible, promote the democratization of the country, guarantee unrestricted respect for human rights and reunify Salvadorian society.

Implementation

UN signatory: Signed by UN Secretary General.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 2,
2. The process shall be conducted undor the auspices of the Secretary-General, on a continuous and uninterrupted basis.

Page 2,
3. In order to ensure the success of the negotiating process, the Government and FMLN agree to an approach which shall involve two types of complementary activities: direct dialogue between the negotiating commissions with the active participation of the Secretary-General or his Representative, and an intermediary role by the Secretary-General or his Representative between the parties to ensure that both the Government and FMLN are committed at the highest level, The Secretary-General shall seek to ensure that these activities are conducted in a manner that genuinely contributes to the success of the process. The Government and FMLN shall ensure that their negotiating commissions have full powers to discuss and conclude agreements.
Enforcement mechanism: Intermediary role for UNSG.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: United States Institute of Peace (2001) Peace Agreements: El Salvador - Peace Agreements Digital Collection. Available at: https://www.usip.org/publications/2001/04/peace-agreements-el-salvador (Accessed 14 October 2020).

ANNEX

Geneva Agreement

(4 April 1991)

At the request of the Central American Presidents and within the framework of the mandate of good offices conferred on me by the Security Council under resolution 637 of 27 July 1989, I have held consultations with the Government of El Salvador and the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) in order to agree on the format, mechanism and pace of a process aimed at bringing about as speedily as possible, under my auspices, a definitive end to the armed conflict in that country.

I have agreed to carry out this effort at the request of the Government and FMLN and because I have received assurances from both parties that there is a serious and good faith intention to seek to bring about such an end through negotiations.

As a result of my consultations, the Government and FMLN have agreed on the points set forth below, which are designed to ensure that the process is conducted in an efficient and serious manner and promotes mutual trust through appropriate guarantees.

I believe that in addition to their intrinsic importance, the scrupulous maintenance of these guarantees will demonstrate the desire and ability of the parties to carry out any commitments they make during the negotiations.

On this understanding, the Government and FMLN have pledged not to abandon the negotiating process.

1. The purpose of the process shall be to end the armed conflict by political means as speedily as possible, promote the democratization of the country, guarantee unrestricted respect for human rights and reunify Salvadorian society.

The initial objective shall be to reach political agreements which lay the basis for a cessation of the armed conflict and of any acts that infringe the rights of the civilian population, which will have to be verified by the United Nations, subject to the approval of the Security Council.

Once that has been achieved, the process shall lead to the establishment of the necessary guarantees and conditions for reintegrating the members of FMLN, within a framework of full legality, into the civil, institutional and political life of the country.

2. The process shall be conducted undor the auspices of the Secretary-General, on a continuous and uninterrupted basis.

3. In order to ensure the success of the negotiating process, the Government and FMLN agree to an approach which shall involve two types of complementary activities:

direct dialogue between the negotiating commissions with the active participation of the Secretary-General or his Representative, and an intermediary role by the Secretary-General or his Representative between the parties to ensure that both the Government and FMLN are committed at the highest level, The Secretary-General shall seek to ensure that these activities are conducted in a manner that genuinely contributes to the success of the process.

The Government and FMLN shall ensure that their negotiating commissions have full powers to discuss and conclude agreements.

4. The Government and FMLN agree that the process shall be conducted in the strictest secrecy.

The only public information on its progress shall be that provided by the Secretary-General or his authorized Representative.

5. The Secretary-General» at his discretion, may maintain confidential contacts with Governments of States Members of the United Nations or groups thereof that can contribute to the success of the process through their advice and support.

6. The Government of El Salvador and FMLN agree that the political parties and other representative social organizations existing ia El Salvador have an important role to play in the attainment of peace.

They also recognize the need for both the Government and FMLN to maintain appropriate, ongoing information and consultation mechanisms with such parties and social organizations in the country, and that the latter must undertake to preserve the secrecy necessary to the success of the dialogue process.

When it is deemed appropriate and on the basis of mutual consent, the commissions may call upon representatives of these parties and organizations in order to receive their inputs.

7. The Government and FMLN likewise recognize that it is useful for the Secretary-General to maintain contacts with Salvadorian individuals and groups whose input may benefit his efforts.

Geneva, 4 April 1990

Representing the Government of El Salvadort

(Signed)

Mr. Oscar SANTAMARÍA

(Signed)

Ambassador Guillermo PAZ LARIN

(Signed)

Ambassador Ana Cristina SOL

(Signed)

Ambassador Carlos Ernesto MENDOZA

Representing the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberación Nacionalt

(Signed)

Commander Shafik RANDAL

(Signed)

Mr. Salvador SAMAYOA

(Signed)

Commander Ana Guadalupe MARTINEZ

(Signed)

Commander Roberto CANAS

In the capacity assigned to me by the United Nations Security Council in resolution 637 (1989)

(Signed) Javier PEREZ DE CUELLAR

Secretary-General of the United Nations