Access to Justice Activity Quarterly Technical Report (January 1 – March 31, 2016)

The program's activities during the first quarter of 2016 were influenced by the ongoing peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The negotiations, which began in 2012, were expected to culminate in a peace agreement, but the process was delayed due to disagreements over key issues such as amnesty, disarmament, and the role of the FARC in politics. Despite the delays, the Colombian government continued to prepare for the implementation of a peace agreement, including the development of a Rapid Response Strategy (RRS) for the first 18 months following the signing of the agreement. The RRS, led by the Ministry of Post-Conflict (MPC), aims to address access to justice issues and create or strengthen Local Justice Systems (LJS) in municipalities across the country. The AJA has been working closely with the MPC and the Ministry of Justice and Law (MJL) to support this effort, and has already established 29 Local Justice Committees (LJCs) in various municipalities. In February 2016, representatives of the MPC/MJL visited three municipalities in the La Macarena, Sur de Tolima, and Bajo Cauca regions, where they observed the efficiency and effectiveness of the LJCs in consolidating the LJSs. As a result of this visit, the MPC/MJL requested the AJA to extend its work to six municipalities in the Pacific region of Nariño and four municipalities in the Putumayo region. The AJA submitted a strategy for Nariño, which was approved by USAID during the reporting period. Other national issues affecting key partners of the AJA during the reporting period included the selection process for a new Attorney General, which was initiated by the Supreme Court of Justice in February. The outcome of this process will have significant implications for the country's justice system, and the AJA will need to adapt to any changes that may result from the selection of a new Attorney General. The AJA's work in the first quarter of 2016 focused on supporting the development of LJSs in municipalities across the country. The program's activities included the establishment of new LJCs, the training of local justice officials, and the provision of technical assistance to support the consolidation of LJSs. The AJA also worked closely with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of access to justice and to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. In addition to its work on LJSs, the AJA continued to support the development of mobile justice brigades, which are designed to extend the geographical coverage of justice services in rural areas. The AJA has been working with local partners to establish mobile justice brigades in several municipalities, and has provided training and technical assistance to support the effective operation of these brigades. Overall, the AJA's work in the first quarter of 2016 was characterized by a focus on supporting the development of LJSs and promoting access to justice in municipalities across the country. The program's activities were influenced by the ongoing peace negotiations and the development of the RRS, and the AJA will need to adapt to any changes that may result from these processes.