Communication Strategy to Improve Citizen Awareness of the Criminal Justice Reform

Currently, most regions in the country are using the accusatory criminal system, and Lima and Callao are preparing to implement the Code, with an effective date of 2013, although this may be delayed. Since 2010, the criminal procedure for public corruption crimes has been in effect. The Special Commission for the Implementation of the Criminal Procedure Code is the highest authority related to the implementation of the NCPC. It is formed by a representative of the Ministry of Justice, who presides, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finances, a representative of the Judicial Branch, a representative of the Public Ministry, and a representative of the Ministry of the Interior. The Technical Secretariat is located at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, also responsible for Public Defense. Various projects and the Technical Secretariat have identified the importance of understanding the characteristics, scope, and implementation of the NCPC, as well as the differences in geographical scopes or institutional strengths and weaknesses in the regions. A lack of citizen trust in the authorities and the administration of justice has been observed, which is enhanced when information to citizens is deficient, when complaints regarding the malfunctioning of public services are not duly processed, when the feeling of impunity outweighs the risk of denouncing the wrongdoer, whether official or citizen, or when civil society institutions are not equipped to carry out citizen monitoring. There are gaps between citizenship and the justice administration system that may vary from one place to another and are expected to be reduced by the application of the NCPC. However, a general and particular communication strategy is needed to reduce citizen distrust, reach public opinion, and create a new "common sense" regarding the change in justice administration in Peru. This strategy should be based on civil society and focus on reducing ignorance and misinformation, building quality communication relationships between citizens and the institutions of the justice system, and placing citizens as the axis. The Government of Peru is making efforts to reduce corruption and strengthen the rule of law. The Anti-Corruption Prosecution Offices of the Ministry of Justice are acting to recuperate State assets in the hands of corrupt individuals, and the Office of Public Management of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers is fostering the Alliance for Open Government through a Multi-Sector Forum in charge of overseeing compliance with the Strategic Plan, which was developed in coordination with civil society (Proetica is part of it) and has given strong support to the High-Level Commission to Fight Corruption (CAN) to disseminate these instances throughout the second tier of State institutions. The Promoting Justice and Integrity in the Public Administration in Peru Program aims to strengthen the capacity of the justice system to address corruption through the effective engagement of civil society. This will be achieved by two results: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) contribute to public understanding of the criminal justice reform under the NCPC, and CSOs monitor the judicial system in corruption cases in target judicial districts. A communication strategy is essential to reduce the trust gap, strengthen civil society regarding this effort, and establish work mechanisms to make sustainable relationships between CSOs and the judicial system involved in the fight against corruption. A thorough understanding of the criminal justice reform is key to solving cases of corruption, and an informed and organized citizenship plays a crucial role in disseminating the reform, channeling demands, exercising control, and serving as a critical contributor to the efforts in the fight against corruption. The proposed communication strategy aims to increase understanding of the criminal judicial procedure reform for corruption cases, seeking that citizens access the justice system with the expectation of being heard by honest officials who administer justice. The desired values for a society are honesty, justice, and democracy.