Guatemala Justice and Transparency Project Quarterly Report (October 1 – December 31, 2020)

The project's objectives included improving the Public Ministry's ability to investigate and prosecute criminal cases, improving the effectiveness and coordination of the justice system, increasing transparency to improve effectiveness and legitimacy in the justice system, and supporting judicial reform and oversight to strengthen the rule of law. The project made significant progress in the development and early implementation of its work plan. Under Objective 1, the project supported the Public Ministry in inaugurating 90 new municipal prosecutor's offices, increasing the number of municipalities with MP services to 205 out of 273. The project also worked with the MP's Secretary for Indigenous Peoples to improve interpretation services, the use of cultural testimony in judicial processes, and coordination with indigenous authorities. The project provided technical assistance to targeted specialized and district prosecutor's offices, including the Prosecutor's Offices against Illegal Migrant Trafficking, Extortion, Crimes against Life, Tax and Customs Fraud, and Environmental Crimes. As a result of the methodologies promoted by the project, the MP was able to advance in several cases related to illegal migration, extortion, murder, and others, and in some cases prevent serious crimes before they occurred. The project also supported the MP in training 64 new highly skilled forensic investigators to support crime scene investigations. Under Objective 2, the project provided technical assistance to various justice sector counterparts, particularly in the application of protocols and virtual tools to protect the health of users and officials during the pandemic. The project donated fifty H323 Zoom Pro licenses to allow 28 criminal courts to carry out judicial activities in accordance with international health and safety protocols. The project also carried out internal audits of the four laboratories that currently hold accreditation in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) norms. Under Objective 3, the project held three public events to promote open justice standards, in which a combined total of more than 550 people participated. The project also supported the MP in inaugurating the Verification and Analysis Unit (UAV), made up of analysts and operative investigators responsible for confirming the background and personal information provided by candidates for MP staff positions. By the end of the quarter, with project support, the UAV verified a total of 72 personnel files for new staff, ensuring transparency and honesty of the candidates. Under Objective 4, the project monitored advances in the process to nominate Supreme Court, Appellate Court, and Constitutional Court Magistrates. The project also helped prepare two reports requested by the President's Anti-Corruption Commission (CPCC) that will provide the foundation for legal reform initiatives. The project's activities and achievements during the quarter demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the justice sector in Guatemala and reducing corruption and impunity.