USAID/MEXICO JUSTICE AND SECURITY PROGRAM QUARTERLY REPORT – JANUARY-MARCH 2012

The program's primary objective is to strengthen the rule of law and promote human rights in Mexico. Legislative achievements are a crucial aspect of the program, as they provide the necessary framework for the proper functioning of the New Criminal Justice System (NCJS). In the first quarter of 2012, USAID and the Oral Trials Network (OTN) presented recommendations to the President of the Justice Committee of the Federal Congress for adjustments to the Federal Criminal Procedure Code. These changes aim to bring the bill in line with constitutional and international standards, ensuring the passage of a Federal Code that establishes the necessary legal framework for the NCJS. In addition to drafting the Federal Criminal Procedure Code, USAID provided technical assistance (TA) for the drafting of secondary legislation in Puebla, including laws on alternative justice and victims' assistance. These laws will be submitted to the State Congress in June 2012, ensuring that Puebla has a comprehensive legislative framework in place upon the entry into force of the accusatory system in 2013. USAID also provided TA for the drafting of similar laws in Nuevo Leon and Oaxaca, using the legislation scorecard developed in the previous quarter to ensure their quality. The program's institutional strengthening achievements focus on building the capacity of justice system institutions to implement the Criminal Justice Reform (CJR). Task 2.1 aims to improve the capacity of inter-institutional committees to coordinate the implementation of the CJR, while Task 2.2 seeks to strengthen the capacity of justice system institutions to implement the CJR. Task 2.3 focuses on strengthening the capacity of Justice System Operators to implement the CJR. The program's achievements in working with civil society organizations (CSOs) aim to enhance their capacity to inform public opinion and advocate for the CJR. Task 3.1 focuses on enhancing the capacity of CSOs to inform public opinion and advocate to political decision-makers on behalf of the CJR, while Task 3.2 seeks to enhance the knowledge and understanding of journalists about the CJR and their role within the justice system. The program's results achieved by objective and task are presented in the Results Achieved by Objective and Task section of the report. The section details accomplishments according to the Program Results Framework (RF), providing a comprehensive overview of the program's achievements in the second quarter of 2012. The annexes of the report include five success stories that highlight the program's achievements in supporting comprehensive reform implementation in Mexico. These success stories demonstrate the program's impact on the country's criminal justice system and its commitment to promoting human rights and the rule of law.