Through her research, Burt comes to three main conclusions. First, by connecting the Genocide trial to the overall transitional justice processes in Guatemala, it is evident that the current setbacks Guatemala is experiencing are not unexpected and should be considered as backlash to the initial transitional justice success. Second, the genocide trial demonstrates a “victim-centered” approach to prosecuting human rights cases and shows how victims of sexual violence were incorporated by prosecutors to help prove that there was a genocide in Guatemala. Lastly, the Guatemalan Genocide case is historically and politically significant for the survivors and Guatemala as a whole despite the fact that the verdict was …show more content…
As a trial observer in the Guatemala genocide case, Burt witnessed how the prosecutor was respectful to victims, wanted to avoid victimization, and empower them through the legal process. It was noted that the identity of the victims would be reserved, the victims were ensured they would not have to repeatedly testify, and the victims were offered protection if needed. These circumstances led women to testify in court about their sufferings, which broke the silence regarding such crimes. Burt recorded one women in her testimony saying, “Today my life is going to change, because at last I am talking about what has happened to me; I am unburdening