UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday expressed her serious concern that the approval of an amendment to Guatemala’s long-standing National Reconciliation Law would result in complete immunity for all cases of grave human rights violations.

Guatemala’s National Reconciliation Law has been in force since 1996 and was crucial to ending 36 years of violent clashes between the government and mainly rural insurgents. The law has been praised internationally and was seen as a positive example of ensuring victims’ rights to redress. According to Bachelet, the proposed amendment is one of a series of initiatives undermining the important achievements made by Guatemala’s long fight against impunity. The Guatemalan Congress approved the amendment in its first reading on January 17. The bill has to go through two more readings before its adoption, and Congress may proceed with the second and third readings over the coming days.

Bachelet recalled that the adoption of amnesties for the most serious crimes are limited by the international standards, and are incompatible with Guatemala’s obligations to prosecute grave violations of human rights. “This amendment, if passed, will represent a drastic set-back to accountability and the rule of law in Guatemala. At the same time, it will make it gravely difficult for the country to prevent further violence,” Bachelet said. “It will reopen old wounds, and destroy victims’ trust in the State and its institutions.”

Bachelet further listed several material drawbacks of this amendment. If adopted, ongoing investigations related to human rights violations will be halted; dozens of individuals currently in jail for grave violation of human rights will be released within 24 hours. Resulting in retaliation against all those courageous victims, witnesses, judges, public prosecutors, lawyers and organizations who have been promoting justice for past crimes in Guatemala.