In April 2012, the Federal Council decided to close the Embassy in Guatemala, which is also responsible for El Salvador and Honduras. terre des hommes schweiz and 18 other NGOs are calling for a partial replacement: a human rights representative for Guatemala.
In response to the decision to close the Swiss representation in Guatemala, 18 Swiss development organisations and aid agencies active on the ground, in addition to terre des hommes schweiz, have sent an open letter to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs requesting it to appoint a human rights representative (Human Security Advisor) in Guatemala. The creation of such an office is intended to ensure Switzerland's commitment to human rights in Guatemala even after the closure of the embassy.
Economy measures on the external network
In April 2012, the Federal Council decided to close the Swiss Embassy in Guatemala on the recommendation of the DFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) for reasons of efficiency. In August last year, 15 development organisations and aid agencies active in Central America wrote to Federal Councillor Burkhalter (FDFA) with the request to reverse this closure.
Loss of a strong partner for development
The Swiss Embassy, which is also responsible for Honduras and El Salvador, has played an important role in recent years in strengthening respect for human rights and peace and in supporting the work of non-governmental organizations. The closure of the Swiss representation would mean the loss of a reliable international partner for the three countries, which are struggling with weak state institutions, drug trafficking, crime and the hunger of international corporations for raw materials.
Guatemalan Embassy in Switzerland
In addition to financial relief, one of the main reasons for the closure of the Embassy in Guatemala was considered to be the fact that Guatemala itself has no representation in Switzerland. However, this argument could soon become obsolete, since according to National Councillor Antonio Hodgers, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister intends to open an embassy in Switzerland in 2013.
Last but not least, the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Council is against the closure.
