Capítulo VII. Disposiciones finales y transitorias

While the Supreme Court of Justice implements the specialized jurisdictional bodies referred to in Article 15 of this law, the provisions established in the Criminal Procedure Code, Decree Number 51-92 of the Congress of the Republic and its amendments and the Law of the Judicial Branch shall be observed. While the specialized tribunals are being established, those determined by the Supreme Court of Justice shall have jurisdiction to hear cases under this law.

The specialized jurisdictional bodies referred to in Article 15 of this law shall be progressively established within the twelve months following the entry into force of this law, throughout the Republic.

As long as the Public Prosecutor's Office has not implemented the Prosecutor's Office for Crimes against the Life and Physical Integrity of Women provided for in Article 14 of this law, the Prosecutor General and Head of the Public Prosecutor's Office shall determine, in accordance with the internal regime of the Public Prosecutor's Office, which prosecutor's offices shall take cognizance.

The prosecutor's office referred to in Article 14 of this law shall be established within the twelve months following the entry into force of this law.

Article 2 of Decree Number 70-96, Law for the Protection of Procedural Subjects and Persons Linked to the Administration of Criminal Justice, is amended to read as follows:

“Article 2. Purpose. The protection service has as its essential objective to provide protection to public officials and employees of the Judicial Branch, of the civil security forces and of the Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as to witnesses, experts, consultants, adhesive complainants, women victims of violence, their daughters and sons, as well as other persons who are exposed to risks due to their intervention in criminal proceedings. It shall also provide coverage to journalists who need it because they are at risk due to the performance of their informative function.”

The provisions of Decree Number 17-73, Criminal Code; Decree Number 51-92, Code of Criminal Procedure; Decree Number 2-89, Law of the Judicial Branch; Decree Number 97-96, Law on Dignification and Comprehensive Promotion of Women; Decree Number 42-2001, Social Development Law; Decree-Law 106, Civil Code; Decree-Law 107, Code of Civil and Commercial Procedure, as well as the modifications and reforms to all the aforementioned laws, shall apply suppletorily to this law.

What is established in the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala and in the international agreements and treaties on human rights, accepted and ratified by the State of Guatemala, constitutes sources of interpretation of this law. In particular, the following shall be sources of interpretation of this law:

a)The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

b)The Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence Against Women.

This Decree shall enter into force eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette.