This was presented as part of a research workshop held at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) on 30 April 2015, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) and the Transparency Accountability Initiative (TAI). The focus of the workshop was on "the quest for citizen-led accountability - looking into the state." This presentation explored how citizens and NGOs in Guatemala have engaged with the state in citizen-led accountability initiatives. What are 'collaboration', 'constructive engagement' and 'confrontation' in accountability work, who defines them, and how can citizen-led initiatives deploy these approaches to the state as part of their strategy?

1. Citizens engagement with the State:
Experiences from Guatemala
Walter Flores, PhD
waltergflores@gmail.com

2. Surveying drug availability at a health
care facility
Asking medical doctor to sign report
on shortage of working hours

3. Engament with
authorities at
municipal,
provincial and
national level
AudioVisual
Evidence
SMS
complaints
Derivation of
cases to
HHRR bodies
Monitoring resolution
of complaints/service
improvements
Once critical consciousness is in place (through
rights literacy and training), then actions:

4. Walk to National Parliament Press conference

5. Meeting with Parlamentarians
Day Month Year Place 5

6. Alliance with broader social
movements
Day Month Year Place 6

7. Collecting audiovisual evidence
Public exhibits: evidence of right to
health violations

8. Presenting audiovisual evidence to
authorities
Press conference informing on
collected evidence and demanding
action plans to resolve problems

9. SMS PLATFORM-RIGHT TO HEALTH VIOLATIONS

11. Year
1985 1991 1994
Human Rights
Ombudsman Office
COPREDEH
1999 2002
Public Ministry Special Prosecutor’s office
for the Defense of
Indigenous Women (DEMI).
Presidential Commission Against
Discrimination and Racism of
Indigenous Peoples (CODISRA).
Legal Advice
Accompanying
Counseling and socioeconomic
Criminal Investigation
Representation in court
Public institutions dealing with
Human Rights issues

12. Constant reflection and appraising of
strategies and tactics

13. Lessons learned
• Engaging with the State: flexible, strategic,
citizen driven
• Dealing with power and using social
movements strategies and tactics are crucial
• Mantaining citizens´ autonomy and legitimacy
are major assets
• Challenge: Research taking this complexity on
board instead of attempting to break-down
actions/interventions to suit causality claims.

14. More info at:
www.cegss.org.gt
www.vigilanciaysalud.com
waltergflores@gmail.com
wflores@cegss.org.gt
THANKS!