Initial Situation
In Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, the justice system is unable to operate quickly, transparently and in a way that is free from discrimination and corruption. Groups such as survivors of sexualised violence and Indigenous Peoples, in particular, experience discrimination. The families of missing displaced persons also lack support from the authorities.
Goal
Fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory access to justice is ensured in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Corruption is curbed more effectively in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
Procedure
The project supports victims of gender-based violence, Indigenous Peoples, and the families of missing migrants.
To achieve this, it drives forward investigations and procedures in important cases. In this context, it provides continuing education to judges and public prosecutors on conducting cases and dealing with victims in a sensitive manner. It trains civil society organisations to enable them to offer legal and strategic advice and psychosocial support.
The project also improves cooperation in efforts to find missing persons. It advises the justice system on international information-sharing, and on the identification and repatriation of bodies.
Furthermore, the project trains officials in the justice system to recognise the special cultural and legal factors at play with regard to Indigenous Peoples, to make use of interpreters, and to support Indigenous networks with training and accelerated procedures.
In addition, the project is working with Guatemala’s judicial branch to develop a strategy to reduce corruption. It is advising the Dominican Attorney General’s Office with the aim of speeding up prosecutions and judgments in corruption cases.
