|
|
|
| Guatemala |
 |
|
GUATEMALA [1]
General Information
Guatemala is a unitary state divided into
twenty-two administrative departamentos. In 2003 the country’s population was
12,300,000, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6% over the past five years[2].
The country has a population density of 103 inhabitants per sq. km., and 39.9%
of all inhabitants live in urban areas[3].
The country’s illiteracy rate is 28.9[4].
In regard to the age distribution of the population, 43.5% is between the ages
of 0 and 14; 34.4% between 15 and 34; 12.1% between 35 and
49; 6.4% between 60 and 64; and 3.6% of the population is over the age of
65[5]. Life expectancy
at birth is 65.9 years,[6]and
52% of Guatemalans live in poverty, 26% in extreme poverty[7].
GDP growth slowed from 3.8% in 1999 to 2.1% in 2003[8].
In 2003 per capita income was US$1,910[9].
Lastly, the average unemployment rate in the country was 35% in 2003[10].
|
|
 |
|
Judicial System Highlights
-
Guatemala’s total fiscal budget for 2005
was 32,385,158,029 quetzales, or US$4,184,128,944.[11]
-
4.22% of which was allocated to the
country’s judicial system[12].
-
The mobile peace courts (juzgados de paz
móviles) were introduced in mid-2003 and are the first of their kind in
Central America. The mission of these units is to hear and resolve minor cases
in areas with limited access to judicial services.
-
In 2003 the Supreme Court established new
courts for: children and adolescents (juzgados de la niñez y la adolesencia);
youth offenders; oversight measures for youth offenders; and the Youth Chamber
of the Court of Appeal (Sala de la Corte de Apelaciones
de la Niñez y la Adolescencia), thereby narrowing the focus of the prior youth
courts and Chamber.
-
The Justice Sector Anti-Corruption
Commission was launched in October, 2003. The Commission is composed of
representatives of the Judicial Branch (Organismo Judicial ), Public
Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público), Ministry of Government, Criminal
Public Defense Institute (Instituto de la Defensa Pública Penal) and the
Guatemalan Chamber of Journalism (Cámara Guatemalteca de Periodismo).
-
In 2004 the Public Prosecutor’s Office
received a budget of 500,613,694 quetzales, or US$63,368,822. This represents
a 38.5% increase over the 2003 allocation of
361,272,243 quetzales, or US$45,730,663.
-
In 2004 the country had 137 public
defenders, 42.7% more than in 2002.
|
|
|
