AID grant to the President and Fellows of Harvard College to implement a program to strengthen the judicial systems of Guatemala

Consultation and fellowship programs comprise the two main components of the project, which is a country activity under the Regional Administration of Justice Project (5970002). Aims of the consultation component are to identify and analyze pressing technical and administrative problems within the Guatemalan criminal justice process, deal with longer-term issues of policy reform, and monitor progress in this area. To this end, Harvard will: (1) hold up to four 1-week meetings annually, either in Guatemala or at Harvard Law School (HLS), for HLS legal experts, Guatemalan judicial officials and other legal experts, plus invited outside experts; (2) arrange for HLS and other expatriate experts to conduct research in Guatemala and consult with Guatemalan personnel on issues raised at the meetings; and (3) invite Guatemalan officials and legal experts to consult on subjects raised at the meetings. A twofold fellowship program will complement the consultation component. (1) In close collaboration with the President of the Supreme Court, Harvard will identify up to 12 of Guatemala"s most qualified criminal law or investigating judges, or other qualified personnel to spend up to one semester as Visiting Fellows at the HLS Center for Criminal Justice, where they will study and conduct research on Guatemala"s criminal justice system. Formal and informal activities - e.g., attendance at HLS courses, observing the criminal justice system in the Boston area, and writing research papers - will improve the Fellows" analytic and research skills and the experience of other developing countries will be drawn upon to develop innovative solutions to problems. Fellows will also be exposed to various teaching methods and, if needed, will receive intensive English-language training before beginning the program. (2) Annual summer seminars will be held, each to be attended by 20-40 Guatemalan judges and other personnel; these seminars will provide the Visiting Fellows an opportunity to share their experiences with other Guatemalan professionals. Amendment of 4/18/90 extends the PACD to 12/90. Activities during this period will focus on: institutionalizing with the Judicial Branch the procedures and reforms introduced by the project"s successful "Pilot Court" activity; strengthening the prosecutorial activities of the Public Ministry; and developing an improved system of defense for indigents. (PD-ABB-126)