USAID/Mexico Justice and Security Program Quarterly Report – October-December 2011

The program is focused on supporting comprehensive reform implementation in Mexico, with a primary goal of advancing the Criminal Justice Reform (CJR). The report highlights the achievements of the program under its three objectives. Legislative achievements are a crucial aspect of the CJR, as they provide the necessary framework for the reform to be implemented. In Q1, USAID advanced its joint strategy with civil society partners to advocate for improvements to the Federal Criminal Procedure Code (FCPC). The program organized four forums on the FCPC for Congress representatives, resulting in 29 members of the Federal Congress Justice Commission and their advisors gaining a deeper understanding of the scope of the bill submitted by the President. This has led to increased discussion on the Code's pending issues. In addition to the FCPC, USAID also provided legislation drafting assistance to support the implementation of the New Criminal Justice System (NCJS) in Puebla. The program completed draft reforms of the State Criminal Procedure Code, which will provide a solid foundation for the effective functioning of the NCJS in Puebla. Institutional strengthening is another key objective of the program. USAID has been working to improve the capacity of inter-institutional committees to coordinate the implementation of the CJR. The program has also been strengthening the capacity of justice system institutions to implement the CJR, with a focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system. The program has also been working to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to inform public opinion and advocate on behalf of the CJR. USAID has been providing technical assistance to CSOs, including training and capacity-building programs, to help them better understand the CJR and their role in promoting it. The results achieved by the program under each of its objectives are detailed in the Results Achieved by Objective and Task section of the report. The report also includes success stories, which highlight the impact of the program's efforts in promoting the CJR in Mexico. The Federal Criminal Procedure Code is a critical component of the CJR, as it sets the basis for the effective functioning of all the major actors in the federal criminal justice system. The program's efforts to advance the FCPC have been focused on improving the Code's provisions and promoting its passage through Congress. In Puebla, the program has been working to establish the appropriate legislative framework to support the implementation of the NCJS. The completion of draft reforms of the State Criminal Procedure Code is a significant achievement, as it will provide a solid foundation for the effective functioning of the NCJS in Puebla. The program's efforts to strengthen the capacity of justice system institutions to implement the CJR have been focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system. This has involved providing technical assistance to justice system institutions, including training and capacity-building programs, to help them better understand the CJR and their role in promoting it. The program's efforts to enhance the capacity of CSOs to inform public opinion and advocate on behalf of the CJR have been focused on providing technical assistance to CSOs, including training and capacity-building programs, to help them better understand the CJR and their role in promoting it. The program's success in promoting the CJR in Mexico is evident in the progress made in advancing the Federal Criminal Procedure Code and the New Criminal Justice System in Puebla. The program's efforts to strengthen the capacity of justice system institutions and CSOs to implement the CJR have also been significant, as they have helped to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system. The program's quarterly report provides a comprehensive overview of its achievements under each of its objectives. The report highlights the progress made in advancing the CJR in Mexico and provides a detailed account of the program's efforts to strengthen the capacity of justice system institutions and CSOs to implement the CJR.