PROJUST USAID/MEXICO PROMOTING JUSTICE PROJECT TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT
January – March 2019
DISCLAIMER This document is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Tetra tech DPK and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. USAID/MEXICO PROMOTING JUSTICE PROJECT TASKS 3 & 4
QUARTERLY REPORT JANUARY – MARCH 2019
Tetra Tech DPK, an operating unit of Tetra Tech ARD Corporate Offices 605 Market Street, Suite 800 San Francisco, CA 94105 USA Phone: + 1 415 495 7772
Contracted under Contract No. AID-523-C-14-00003 Pursuant to Section D of the Task Order Contract
DISCLAIMER
This document is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Tetra tech DPK and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. CONTENTS
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... II EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... III RESULTS ACHIEVED BY TASK...... 1 Task 3: Increase Public Support for the Criminal Justice System...... 1 Task 4: Increase Access to Justice and Improve Victims’ Assistance ...... 9 Crosscutting Result: Grants Strategy ...... 19 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: END OF PROJECT ...... 29 Task 3: Increase Public Support for the Criminal Justice System...... 29 Task 4: Increase Access to Justice and Improve Victims’ Assistance ...... 29 Crosscutting Result: Grants Strategy ...... 29 ANNEX I: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT ...... 31 ANNEX II: TRAINET ...... 32
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | i ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ADRM Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms ANUIES National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions (Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior, A.C.) CJS Criminal justice system CONACYT Mexican Council for Science and Technology CONAVIM National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women (Comisión Nacional para Prevenir y Erradicar la Violencia contra las Mujeres) CSO Civil society organization FY Fiscal year IIS-WJC Institutional Integrity System of the Women’s Justice Centers INSYDE Institute for Security and Democracy (Instituto para la Seguridad y la Democracia A.C.) ONC National Citizen Observatory (Observatorio Nacional Ciudadano de Seguridad, Justicia, y Legalidad) PROJUST USAID/Mexico Promoting Justice Project SESNSP Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública) SIICOMUNICACIÓN Integrity System for Institutional Communication of Criminal Justice UdeG Universidad de Guadalajara UMECA Pretrial Services Unit (Unidad de Medidas Cautelares) UNAM National Autonomous University of Mexico WJC Women’s Justice Center
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The constitutionally mandated criminal justice reform of 2008 was implemented across Mexico and became fully adopted on June 18, 2016. To comply with this deadline, the Mexican government established policies under which a new criminal justice system (CJS) would be implemented in the three levels of government. In October 2016, after meeting the implementation deadline, the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System took over responsibility for consolidating CJS operations at federal and state levels.
The USAID/Mexico Promoting Justice Project (PROJUST) started operations in November 2014, building on the work of previous USAID programs to support Mexico’s efforts to consolidate criminal justice reform. Tetra Tech DPK is implementing PROJUST Tasks 3 and 4 and a crosscutting grants strategy.1 Because this is the final year of the project, most activities are geared towards consolidation and achieving long-term sustainability of strategies initiated in previous years.
Under Task 3, PROJUST has supported efforts to inform citizens about the institutions and procedures of a transparent, efficient, and rights-based CJS. The goals under this task are to increase public support for the CJS and improve the quality of judicial journalism by strengthening the skills of journalists, communicators, and spokespersons. In collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico, one of the most important academic institutions in the country, PROJUST has developed and jointly taught the “Journalism and Communication for Justice” diploma course, reaching 39 participants to date. The course promotes journalistic coverage of criminal cases in a way that is socially responsible and ethical, while complying with the law. This program will continue to be taught to future generations of journalists and communicators to improve access to information about the CJS.
This quarter, Task 4 activities focused on providing follow-up support to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of national and state-level counterparts. PROJUST worked with the State Attorney Generals’ Offices of Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Tabasco, and Zacatecas to follow up on the consolidation of the Operations Management Model for specialized alternative dispute resolution mechanism agencies. Since implementation began in 2017, this effort has achieved an average increase of 2.3 percent in cases resolved through compensation agreements.
At the national level, PROJUST has worked with the National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women to strengthen responsiveness to female victims of gender-based violence through the women’s justice centers (WJCs). This quarter, to foster compliance with the requirements of the Institutional Integrity System for Women’s Justice Centers (IIS-WJC), PROJUST continued providing technical assistance to the WJCs of Baja California Sur, Michoacán, and Sinaloa. To foster the sustainability of the IIS-WJC as a national policy, PROJUST also continued work on the online platform for IIS-WJC automation.
To contribute to civil society participation in CJS consolidation, PROJUST continued implementing its crosscutting grants strategy of fostering CJS-related cooperation among civil society actors through
1 Modification 05 to Contractor Teaming Agreement by and between Management Systems International and Tetra Tech DPK, effective March 9, 2017.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | iii projects in collaboration with citizens, justice institutions, government agencies, private initiatives, higher education institutions, and civil society organizations. This quarter, PROJUST support to grantees focused on their sustainability plans. Three grant projects closed this quarter (Mexico Evalúa, Creativeria Social, and Convivencia Joven), having fulfilled their key objectives and completed their deliverables, including the development of medium- and long-term sustainability plans.
This is Tetra Tech DPK’s second quarterly report for the fifth and final fiscal year of the project, covering January through March 2019. The report has four sections: this executive summary; task-specific details on PROJUST results; task-specific challenges and opportunities; and annexes, including the quarterly financial report, Success Stories, and the TraiNet report.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | iv RESULTS ACHIEVED BY TASK
TASK 3: INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM To continue contributing to the consolidation of public support for the CJS during fiscal year (FY) 5, PROJUST has sought to strengthen the CJS’s communication and dissemination strategies. This quarter, building on its partnerships with the government, academic institutions, and civil society organizations (CSOs), PROJUST aimed to establish sustainability mechanisms for these strategies.
The subsections below summarize the main activities carried out for each strategy between January and March 2019.
PROFESSIONALIZATION OF COMMUNICATORS IN THE CJS Since its inception, PROJUST has supported work to enhance the professionalization of CJS communicators. To promote the sustainability of this strategy, PROJUST developed a specialized academic program for journalists. In 2018, PROJUST signed a collaboration agreement to jointly deliver the diploma course, “Journalism and Communication for Justice,” with the Department of Political and Social Science at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The agreement reflects the academic endorsement of one of Mexico’s most prestigious higher education institutions and strengthens the sustainability plan for the professionalization strategy.
The course objective is to train professionals and ensure they carry out their work in a socially responsible, ethical, and empathetic manner toward those involved, while complying with the law.2 The first iteration of the course began in August 2018 and will end in May 2019.
To ensure continuity, PROJUST issued a call for the second Image 1. Social media post sharing information iteration of the diploma course, in coordination with the about the second “Journalism and Communication UNAM. This quarter, PROJUST coordinated a social media for Justice” diploma course. campaign with the CSO Instituto de Justicia Procesal Penal to disseminate information about the course. The campaign published general information about the course (e.g., course content, teaching staff, and registration dates).
In January, the course coordinator participated in an interview on “Resistencia Modulada,” hosted by Radio UNAM, discussing the course and its objectives, and the importance of considering an inclusive perspective in journalistic and institutional communication.
2 This corresponds to activity 5.1 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 1 The second delivery of the diploma course began in February and will end on June 21, 2019. 16 students are enrolled (six men and ten women), including seven undergraduate students who will obtain a bachelor’s degree upon completing the course. More than half of the students (53 percent) work for media outlets (e.g., Vice News, El Financiero, SDP News, and Reforma), 7 percent in CSOs, and 40 percent in government institutions. As part of UNAM’s commitment to the sustainability of this activity, the university awarded five full scholarships to journalism students interested in taking the course to support them in obtaining their degrees.
Table 1 and Table 2 show demographic data3 regarding the first and second diploma course students. In both iterations, equal numbers of men and women were represented (Table 1). The largest group of students have a background or are pursuing a career in journalism or communication, followed by the group of students and professionals pursuing political science (Table 2). This shows that PROJUST has been successful in reaching a large number of communicators and journalists, providing them with professional training on how to disseminate information in a way that respects human rights and due process.
SECOND DIPLOMA GENDER FIRST DIPLOMA COURSE COURSE
Men 45.5% 41.2%
Women 54.5% 58.8%
Table 1. Registration in the “Journalism and Communication for Justice” diploma course, by gender.
OCCUPATION/FIELD SECOND DIPLOMA FIRST DIPLOMA COURSE OF STUDY COURSE Journalism/Communication 73.9% 66.7% Political science 13.0% 5.6% Other 13.0% 27.8%
Table 2. Registration in the “Journalism and Communication for Justice” diploma course, by occupation.
A relevant fact is how the students learn about the diploma course. In both iterations of the course, at least 50 percent discovered the course through social media, reinforcing the effectiveness of this method (Table 3). The second most common method was through the UNAM’s website.
SOURCE FIRST DIPLOMA COURSE SECOND DIPLOMA COURSE Social media 52.2% 50.0% UNAM web page 30.4% 33.3% Others 17.4% 16.7%
Table 3. How students learned about the “Journalism and Communication for Justice” diploma course.
3 This data was collected in an entrance survey given to the students when starting each course.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 2 To foster the sustainability of this strategy, in 2017 PROJUST developed Let’s Protect Victims! New Judicial Journalism Manual, with a Focus on Legal Protection for victims.4 This tool supports strategic communication about the progress of criminal cases, while respecting due process and promoting the transparency and accountability of justice institutions. This quarter the diploma course coordinator and participating students publicized the manual (which is part of the course syllabus) through a presentation on Facebook Live, enabling free downloads of this important resource for judicial journalism in Mexico.5
One diploma course participant subsequently used the manual to facilitate a workshop for family members of sexual torture victims, further Image 2. Still shot from the Facebook Live presentation highlighting the different uses for this tool and disseminating the Let’s Protect Victims! Manual. providing evidence of its broader dissemination.
In the October–December 2018 quarterly report (FY5, quarter 1), PROJUST identified sustainability as a challenge for this academic program, specifically, ensuring that it remains a part of the UNAM’s academic offerings for future generations of journalists and communicators. In that vein, the UNAM’s support for the second delivery of this course, and its programmed third iteration at the end of 2019, is a relevant achievement, contributing to the sustainability of this professionalization strategy for journalists.
Since 2015, PROJUST has trained journalists and communicators from justice institutions throughout Mexico — another component of the professionalization strategy — aiming to provide tools that allow them to share information about crime and violence, while respecting the rights of victims and defendants. This quarter, PROJUST continued monitoring the training activity, using the scorecard (developed in FY3) to evaluate articles published by trained media representatives6, based on 10 criteria.7
From January to March, the project monitored 65 media outlets from Mexico City, Hidalgo, Jalisco, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, and Zacatecas, revealing an average of 7.7 to 7.9 out of 10 points, an increase of up to 0.4 points over last quarter’s results (Exhibit 1).
4 This manual was developed in coordination with the CEAV and the SESNSP during FY3, and its target audiences are journalists and media professionals. 5 The manual may be downloaded from https://bit.ly/2TWaGEK. 6 This corresponds to activity 7 of the FY5 Work Plan. 7 The 10 criteria are: Respect for the presumption of innocence, identity protection for victims and the accused, avoidance of influence of opinion on the case in question, inclusion of data on social contexts and statistics, use of multiple sources, quotes from sources, use of relevant penal language, follow through until the judge dictates sentence, properly explains the penal process, and serves the community.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 3 Average rating of media outlets in Y5 Q1 Average rating of media outlets in Y5 Q2
8.4 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.1 8.1
7.8 7.8
7.6 7.7 7.7
7.4
Mexico City Hidalgo Jalisco San Luis Potosí Tabasco Zacatecas
Exhibit 1. Average ratings of media trained by PROJUST in Q1 and Q2 in target states.
Table 4 shows the five media outlets that earned the highest average ratings this quarter.
MEDIA STATE AVERAGE
Vice News Mexico City 9.0
Plano Informativo San Luis Potosí 8.9
TV Azteca Tabasco 8.8
El Economista Mexico City 8.8
Notisistema Jalisco 8.6
Table 4. Media outlets with the highest average ratings, January–March 2019.
A recurring error that PROJUST observed in the articles monitored this quarter was a lack of protection of the identities of people involved in criminal proceedings. For example, some media outlets used a bar that covers only the eyes of the person or blurred the person’s face in a way that still allows for facial recognition. This factor affected the scorecard ratings and represents an opportunity for the design and delivery of future workshops for media representatives.
One innovation, complementing the professionalization strategy and supporting its sustainability, is PROJUST’s development of the “Judicial Journalism” mobile application.8 The purpose of this activity is to support communicators and judicial journalists in resolving theoretical and practical questions, in real time, related to the coverage of judicial cases and due process. The application also aims to provide access to a digital archive.
8 This corresponds to activity 6 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 4 This quarter, the content was finalized and PROJUST began seeking a organization to which to transfer the management of the application. PROJUST selected the CSO Nuevo Periodismo Judicial to host the information on a server and update the application’s content. The transfer agreement (to be signed in May 2019) includes all of the CSO’s rights and obligations towards maintaining the application for at least one year, as well as its responsibility to expand the network of communicators and journalists.
STRATEGIES TO CONSOLIDATE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CJS (CIVIL SOCIETY) The “Let’s Talk about Justice” social media campaign, developed in the first years of the project, has been managed by the CSO National Citizen Observatory (ONC) since 2017.9 Through monitoring activities to ensure the sustainability of this campaign’s objective to disseminate CJS- related information and issues on social media, PROJUST has evaluated the campaign’s impact among its target audience (25- to 35-year-olds living in urban areas).
This quarter, the campaign reached 21,848 people through Facebook and Twitter, increasing citizens’ access to information about justice institutions and processes. The ONC’s management of the campaign strengthens the sustainability of the strategy. Image 3. The “Let’s Talk about Justice” post with the greatest Specifically, the Facebook page featured 47 posts reach on Facebook this quarter. about different justice-related issues, such as CJS functions and due process. These posts reached 16,197 people and achieved 1,542 interactions. The content with the largest reach (6,307 people) this quarter was a post about insecurity for women in Mexico. The ONC also continued generating content through the campaign’s Twitter account, reaching 5,651 Twitter users from January through March 2019. The tweet with the greatest reach10 (2,005 users) was about strategies for gender-based violence prevention, security, and justice.
9 This corresponds to activity 1 of the FY5 Work Plan. 10 See https://twitter.com/HablaJusticia/status/1093317384872607744
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 5 In 2017, to increase civil society participation in the monitoring of justice institutions, PROJUST created a guided tours strategy to help two main target audiences — civil society and journalists — deepen their understanding of justice institutions. This quarter, PROJUST continued conducting guided tours in Jalisco, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas, with the aim of promoting open communication between justice institutions and citizens at a local level, as well as generating liaisons that promote citizen understanding and Image 4. Simulated hearing during a guided tour to justice participation for greater access to justice. When institutions in San Luis Potosí. conducting tours for journalists, as in San Luis Potosí,11 PROJUST encourages the participants to cover criminal cases in a way that ensures accurate information and respects human rights and due process.
Table 5 presents information on the guided tours conducted from January through March 2019.
AUDIENCE STATE DATE MEN WOMEN TOTAL
Civil Society Jalisco February 2019 17 13 30
Journalists San Luis Potosí March 2019 9 8 17
Students Zacatecas March 2019 7 6 13
Total 33 27 60
Table 5. Guided tours conducted from January through March 2019.
This quarter’s tour in Zacatecas is relevant because it represented an important achievement regarding the guided tours strategy. In March, PROJUST worked closely with staff of the institution in charge of consolidating the CJS in Zacatecas to transfer the guided tour methodology. At the end of the month, the staff conducted the first guided tour on their own.
In Jalisco, a guided tour was conducted for neighborhood leaders in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, in coordination with the Citizen Council of Justice and Security of Jalisco,12 which has collaborated with PROJUST on this issue since 2017. Through USAID’s Local Systems Framework, this activity has evolved to influence public support for the CJS — namely, by helping to link different actors in the region (e.g., citizens and institutions from the private and education sectors) to improve, make transparent, and disseminate processes to increase access to justice. At the end of each tour, the Citizen Council invites participants to join a Neighborhood Security Network. This network aims to
11 Seven media outlets participated in the guided tour: El Mañana de Valles, Huasteca Hoy, Zunoticia, XHCV FM, Huaxteca Online, Region Valles Com, and Emsavalles. 12 The Citizen Council is an organization of community, business, and academic leaders whose objective is to support citizens in matters of justice and public safety through the disseminating information.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 6 socialize justice and security issues, allow members to share experiences, analyze problems, and strengthen civil society capacity to prevent crimes and promote the culture of reporting.
To support sustainability, the Citizen Council stated that it will continue conducting this type of activity to help citizens know their rights, the obligations and responsibilities of justice institutions, and the processes for accessing justice, and bringing citizens closer to CJS operators.
Another strategy developed by PROJUST to inform and consolidate public support for the CJS is “Justice for You,” the multi-platform project for citizen orientation regarding the CJS.13 To consolidate the project scope, PROJUST continued the expansion strategy, in coordination with the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP) and Locatel,14 which manages the “Justice for You” website and phone hotline.
By December 2018, the “Justice for You” site had been consolidated in 17 states (over half of Mexico’s states) and the telephone service was functioning nationwide.
In February, to increase the number of states providing information for the platform, PROJUST participated in a working session with representatives of the CJS institutions of Chihuahua. After PROJUST presented the “Justice for You” project, session participants committed to working in coordination with the Superior Court of Chihuahua to provide the information necessary to develop the state’s website. Two local media outlets published pieces regarding the event.15 Image 5. PROJUST met with justice institutions in Chihuahua to In January 2019, new government authorities took inform them about “Justice for You.” over Locatel. PROJUST has confirmed the continuity of the multiplatform with the new authorities, emphasizing the value of providing this service to citizens. As a result of this change, work is being done to establish a data transfer mechanism with the new authorities, through which they will be able to provide information that contributes to the monitoring of the strategy.
PROJUST will continue to contact the states that have not yet provided information to “Justice for You” in order to publicize the platform and invite these regions to join the system.
13 This corresponds to activity 10 of the FY5 Work Plan. 14 Locatel is a government institution that has offered public service information to Mexico City’s population through a call center since 1979. For more information, see http://locatel.cdmx.gob.mx/# 15 See https://bit.ly/2HV7Vgt
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 7 STRENGTHENING JUSTICE INSTITUTION SPOKESPERSONS In response to lessons from previous years, PROJUST has engaged spokespersons in its communication strategies by training them and providing them with tools to support their performance, thus promoting transparency and accountability of justice institutions.
To measure the impact of the professionalization strategy among institutional spokespersons, PROJUST monitored articles that included information produced by these professionals. From January through March 2019, 11 trained spokespersons provided information in press conferences and interviews that was used in 19 articles that, in turn, followed the quality guidelines for judicial journalism. The main issues reported by the spokespersons were due process and gender violence (Table 6).
TOPIC ARTICLES PUBLISHED
Due process 5 Gender-based violence 4
Access to justice 2
Fight against impunity and corruption 2
Table 6. Main topics reported in articles for which information was provided by trained spokespersons.
In addition to the professionalization strategy for spokespersons, PROJUST developed an institutional integrity system for the communication areas of justice institutions.16 The Integrity System for Institutional Communication of Criminal Justice (SIICOMUNICACIÓN) was designed based on the need for a public communication policy in the CJS. The system proposes standards for justice institutions, seeking the protection of the rights of people involved in criminal proceedings. It also considers justice institutions’ responsibilities regarding transparency, accountability, and the right to public information.
The SIICOMUNICACIÓN model was completed this quarter. To promote sustainability, PROJUST is in the process of selecting a partner to apply the model in evaluating justice institutions. PROJUST has discussed the possibility of transferring the model to the UNAM Department of Political and Social Sciences and registering the intellectual property rights through the Innova–UNAM program, which is dedicated to finding and promoting the development of technology, services, and knowledge that solve problems or meet relevant needs.17
One reason the Department of Political and Social Sciences was considered an ally is that the model can be used as input to design, in coordination with the CSO Nuevo Periodismo Judicial, a diploma course for communicators of justice institutions.
16 This corresponds to activity 4.1 of the FY5 Work Plan. 17 The Innova-UNAM program is an initiative dedicated to finding projects within the UNAM community (students and academics) that can have an impact in different fields (technology, social, etc.), and helps them develop the projects by providing different types of support, such as academic and legal guidance. For more on the Innova– UNAM program, see http://www.innovacion.unam.mx/.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 8 Another tool for institutional spokespersons is the Intervention Model Manual for CJS Communicators, which PROJUST developed in 2017 in coordination with the SESNSP, to ensure the sustainability of efforts to strengthen the skills of institutional spokespersons. In 2018, the SESNSP agreed to adopt and disseminate the manual among justice institutions throughout the country.
In FY5, PROJUST has carried out monitoring activities to understand the level of adoption of the manual in different justice institutions. This includes surveying people working in justice institutions’ communication units. Through the 17 surveys conducted this quarter, PROJUST observed that 82.4 percent of respondents mentioned having consulted the manual and used the information it contains at least once since they received it.
Table 7 summarizes responses to the question, “What have you used the manual for?” Most of those who consulted the manual reported using the information to understand how to interact with the media or how to report in the CJS.
WHAT HAVE YOU USED THE MANUAL FOR? PERCENTAGE Knowing how to interact with a media outlet 42.9% Knowing how to report on the CJS 35.7% Establishing communication guidelines in my area/institution 21.4% Writing a press release 7.1% Other 7.1%
Table 7. Proportion of respondents who used the manual for different purposes.
The survey also found that 92.9 percent of those who consulted the manual had shared it with someone—69.2 percent with another person in their work area and 30.8 percent with someone from another institution. This is evidence that the scope and use of this tool have expanded, contributing to justice institutions’ increased capacity to interact with citizens. Moreover, having been disseminated not only by justice institutions, but also by the spokespersons themselves, the manual supports the sustainability of the professionalization strategy.
TASK 4: INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND IMPROVE VICTIMS’ ASSISTANCE The FY5 strategies under Task 4 respond to problems PROJUST identified at the local level during the first years of the project. PROJUST has sought to support public policies that strengthen state responses to victims by fostering increased efficiency of justice institutions through specialized technical assistance to specialized alternative dispute resolution mechanism (ADRM) agencies, Women’s Justice Centers (WJCs), the National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women (CONAVIM), and other institutions. This section describes the main activities and achievements from this quarter.
SPECIALIZED ADRM AGENCIES Since 2015, PROJUST has supported the implementation of the Operations Management Model for early assistance units and ADRM agencies in Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Tabasco, and Zacatecas. With PROJUST technical assistance, these states’ ADRM agencies have made progress in the processes
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 9 for compensation agreements, filing and follow-up on the agreements, and conditional (probationary) suspension of criminal proceedings.
Table 8 and Exhibit 2 show the progress to date in these target states, comparing the percentage of compensation agreements achieved in each ADRM agency with respect to the total number of cases received by each state’s Attorney General’s Office since the start of the study. All target states except San Luis Potosí18 show an increase between 2017 and 2019 — with the most significant increase in Coahuila (6 percent). This is a result of the appropriation of the Operations Management Model and the technical assistance PROJUST has provided.
STATE BASELINE JAN–FEB 2017 JAN–FEB 2018 JAN–FEB 2019 Coahuila 10.2% (2016) 13.6% 15.3% 19.0% San Luis Potosí 5.1% (Jan–Mar 2017) 4.9% 3.2% 2.8% Sonora 7.8% (Jan–Mar 2017) 7.3% 7.9% 8.0% Tabasco 2.3% (Jan–Mar 2017) 1.8% 3.3% 4.6% Zacatecas 3.7% (Jan–Mar 2018) N/A 6.3% 11.6% Average 5.8% 6.9% 7.2% 9.2%
Table 8. Criminal cases resolved through a compensation agreement with respect to total cases received by the State Attorney General’s Offices in target states, achieved through implementing the Operations Management Model.
19.0%
15.3% 13.6%
11.6% Coahuila San Luis Potosí 7.9% 8.0% Sonora 7.3% Tabasco 6.3% 4.9% 4.6% Zacatecas 3.3% 1.8% 3.2% 2.8%
Jan-Feb 2017 Jan-Feb 2018 Jan-Feb 2019
Exhibit 2. Criminal cases resolved through a compensation agreement with respect to total cases received by the State Attorney General’s Offices in target states, achieved through implementing the Operations Management Model.
18 For San Luis Potosí, PROJUST found that the reason less cases were resolved through ADRM proportionally was that the total number of cases received by the Attorney General’s Office in January and February 2019 had increased in comparison to previous years. As Table 9 shows, the number of cases received by the San Luis Potosí Attorney General’s Office increased significantly from 2017 to 2019 (and remains the highest of all five target states), but the number of compensation agreements remained stable, showing that the ADRM agency in San Luis Potosí has not decreased the number of compensation agreements it has achieved.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 10 MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE COMPENSATION ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE AGREEMENTS STATE JAN–FEB JAN–FEB JAN–FEB JAN–FEB JAN–FEB JAN–FEB 2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019 Coahuila 2,328 1,873 1,680 317 286 320 San Luis Potosí 4,736 5,174 7,989 233 167 224 Sonora 2,557 2,990 2,394 189 237 192 Tabasco 4,158 2,781 3,020 75 93 140 Zacatecas N/A 1,745 1,402 N/A 110 163 Average 3,445 2,913 3,297 204 179 208
Table 9. Total matters received in the Attorney General’s Office and total compensation agreements signed in each target state in January and February 2017, 2018, and 2019.
In all of the target states except San Luis Potosí, 19 the percentage of cases referred from the Attorney General’s Office to the ADRM agency has increased, as Table 10 shows. In Coahuila’s case, which had the most significant increase, PROJUST found that the ADRM agency had taken ownership of the Operations Management Model, which contributed to the development of effective communication strategies among the local justice institutions to ensure that cases could be properly referred. This has allowed Coahuila to increase the percentage of cases referred to the ADRM agency, and in turn, increase the percentage of cases resolved through a compensation agreement, as shown in Table 8 and Exhibit 2.
STATE JAN-FEB 2017 JAN-FEB 2018 JAN-FEB 2019 Coahuila 33% 41% 48% San Luis Potosí 15% 14% 8% Sonora 12% 15% 19% Tabasco 7% 13% 14% Zacatecas N/A 8% 23% Average 17% 18% 22%
Table 10. Percentage of cases referred to the ADRM agencies by the Attorney General’s Offices of target states in January and February 2017, 2018, and 2019.
To ensure targeted follow-up with the ADRM agencies in Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, and Tabasco, where consolidation of the model was carried out in 2018, PROJUST scheduled a working meeting with each ADRM agency’s director. The purpose of these meetings was to analyze the operating information from recent months and ensure that all the agencies are using the monitoring tools designed by PROJUST during the consolidation period. These tools allow the agencies to continue
19 This decrease in percentage of cases referred to the ADRM agency of San Luis Potosí directly impacted the number of compensation agreements that could be achieved by the ADRM agency, since cases could not be resolved through a compensation agreement if they were not referred to the ADRM agency in the first place.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 11 the good practices provided in the Operations Management Model, such as carrying out independent and timely follow-ups to identify any decrease in effectiveness in operations.
One challenge this quarter was that there was personnel turnover in the ADRM agencies due to political changes in the states. This meant PROJUST had to establish relations with new personnel, and had to re-train some operators.
In Zacatecas, PROJUST continued providing technical Image 6. Working session with facilitators in the ADRM agency of Zacatecas. assistance to help the ADRM agency achieve consolidation of the Operations Management Model.20 During visits to the agency, the project team collected information on operations and effectiveness in reaching compensation agreements and confirmed that the agency had followed PROJUST’s recommendations to improve its operations.
In January 2019, due to improvements observed since the application of the model, Zacatecas’ Deputy Prosecutor held a meeting with all of the facilitators of the state’s ADRM agency, informing them that adoption of the model would be mandatory in order to replicate the actions that have led to improved results.
In addition to monitoring the percentage of compensation agreements in the target states, since 2017 PROJUST has designed and implemented a strategy for monitoring cases referred to the states’ ADRM agencies in general. This strategy consists of a review, which is carried out in the agencies’ facilities, of a representative sample of randomly selected cases referred to the agencies in a given month.21
In all of the states, the main reason for not reaching a compensation agreement is the defendant’s non- attendance at a mediation session (Exhibit 3). Except in Coahuila, this issue increased from 2017 to 2018. Since attendance at mediation sessions depends on notifying defendants, this represents an opportunity for the ADRM agencies. PROJUST has identified that the main reasons that make the notification process ineffective in most states is the lack of clear procedures for collecting the parties’ contact information, lack of resources (such as cars or personnel) to deliver the notifications, and lack of training of the people who deliver the notifications.22 Therefore, the notification process can be improved by ensuring the parties’ contact information is correct when it is collected at the beginning of the process, and by providing relevant and accurate information about ADRM when the notification is delivered. With these strategies, which PROJUST has supported, parties will be more likely to understand and attend mediation sessions, increasing the chance of reaching a compensation agreement.
20 This corresponds to activity 13 of the FY5 Work Plan. 21 This corresponds to activity 38 of the FY5 Work Plan. 22 Source: Consultant’s Report, Deliverable 7: Final Report with Recommendations and Proposals for Operations Management at the National Level, 2018.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 12 October 2017 October 2018
49% 44% 46% 45% 46%
29% 28% 23% 23%
Coahuila San Luis Potosí Sonora Tabasco Zacatecas
Exhibit 3. Comparison of cases where a compensation agreement was not achieved because the defendant did not attend the mediation sessions in the ADRM agency, with respect to total cases where a compensation agreement was not achieved (October 2017 versus October 2018).
Another relevant fact, presented in Exhibit 4 is the decreased time that elapses between case referral to agencies and signing a compensation agreement. This is important because it reflects that technical assistance — and the work of the agencies’ staff — has improved processes at the ADRM agencies, making it possible to provide users with more timely responses.
All of the states show a decrease in this figure. The change was most significant in Tabasco, the state that took the longest to achieve an agreement (22.5 days) in October 2017. Tabasco’s average time had decreased to 14.5 days by October 2018. San Luis Potosí presented a small increase — which provides a possible opportunity for a timelier follow-up on the cases in the ADRM agency, using the monitoring and evaluation tools provided by PROJUST that help identify any decrease in effectiveness. In this way, an action plan for improvement can be immediately implemented.
October 2017 October 2018
22.5 21.3
16.2 15.7 16.1 14.5 13.4 12.1 10.6
Coahuila San Luis Potosí Sonora Tabasco Zacatecas
Exhibit 4. Comparison of average number of days between receipt of the case by the ADRM agency and the signing of a compensation agreement (October 2017 versus October 2018).
To provide relevant information about users and cases that helps the ADRM agency make informed decisions to improve its operations, PROJUST analyzed user characteristics and types of cases resolved through ADRM. For example, comparing cases in October 2017 and October 2018, PROJUST detected that in the majority of cases received by the ADRM agencies in the target states the defendant was male, and in Coahuila and San Luis Potosí, the majority of cases involved a male victim in (Table 11).
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 13 MALE VICTIMS MALE DEFENDANTS STATE OCTOBER 2017 OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER 2017 OCTOBER 2018 Coahuila 51% 50% 70% 72% San Luis Potosí 54% 59% 62% 71% Sonora 27% 40% 88% 79% Tabasco 41% 42% 65% 61% Zacatecas N/A 47% N/A 47% Average 43% 48% 71% 66%
Table 11. Percentage of male victims and defendants (October 2017 versus October 2018).
PROJUST has also observed a similar average age of ADRM users across the target states (Table 12). The highest average age for victims is in San Luis Potosí, and among defendants, the lowest average age in Coahuila. These data indicate that users are in a specific age range. To increase the use of ADRM, it is necessary to disseminate the advantages they can have over “traditional justice”. By having specific information about ADRM users, it may be easier for the ADRM agencies to develop effective dissemination strategies, to target age groups or other demographics to provide information to the citizens that need it the most.
VICTIMS DEFENDANTS STATE OCTOBER 2017 OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER 2017 OCTOBER 2018 Coahuila 38.5 40.5 33.7 34.9 San Luis Potosí 43.5 42.1 38.2 40.4 Sonora 36.6 38.8 35.2 38.2 Tabasco 37.9 41.0 N/A 39.2 Zacatecas N/A 35.2 N/A 35.2 Average 39.1 39.5 35.7 37.6
Table 12. Average age for victims and defendants in target states (October 2017 versus October 2018).
Table 13 lists the most common crimes reported in the matters received by each ADRM agency in October 2017 and October 2018. The main types of crimes in each target state remained the same. In Sonora, most of the cases that are referred to the ADRM agency relate to a breach of family obligations, consistent with the fact that most victims are women (73 percent in 2017 and 60 percent in 2018; see Table 11) and PROJUST observed that most matters related to this issue are reported by women.
This information is relevant because it allows the operators of the ADRM agencies to know more about the users of the ADRM and their specific needs in each state. PROJUST will continue sharing this information with each agency’s personnel to strengthen justice institutions’ responses to citizens, in addition to continuing to support the agencies to adopt the process discipline methodology, and monitoring required for application of the Operations Management Model.
STATE OCTOBER 2017 OCTOBER 2018
Coahuila Culpable damage (25%) Culpable damage (34%)
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 14 San Luis Potosí Culpable damage (27%) Culpable damage (34%)
Sonora Breach of family obligations (62%) Breach of family obligations (34%)
Tabasco Injuries (27%) Injuries (32%)
Zacatecas N/A Culpable damage (32%)
Table 13. Main crimes for cases received in ADRM agencies in target states (October 2017 versus October 2018).
To extend the scope of the model, PROJUST met with the Deputy Prosecutor of Oaxaca to present the project, who agreed that PROJUST should carry out an intervention in the state in the coming months. The objectives are to assess the Oaxaca ADRM agency, propose measures to improve its effectiveness, train the facilitators, and provide them with tools to help them improve their processes. This intervention is part of activity 12 of the work plan. At the request of the SESNSP, the first national congress of ADRM agencies was held in Oaxaca in 2018. For 2019, PROJUST planned an assessment of Oaxaca’s ADRM agency.
Also this quarter, to ensure the availability of empirical and objective information about the importance of alternative justice, PROJUST initiated a cost-benefit analysis of alternative and traditional justice processes in Mexico. The study seeks to identify the tangible and intangible costs and benefits associated with participating in alternative justice, as opposed to traditional justice. To inform the analysis, PROJUST has collected information on the operating costs of the ADRM agencies in each target state, the costs of other justice institutions that resolve cases when they are not referred to the ADRM agencies, and the costs users incur to participate in alternative justice. PROJUST will present the results of the analysis in the coming months.
WOMEN’S JUSTICE CENTERS
INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM Since 2016, PROJUST has worked with the CONAVIM and the SESNSP to design and implement the Institutional Integrity System for Women’s Justice Centers (IIS-WJC) methodology. The methodology seeks to implement an organizational culture based on ethics, institutional processes, and efficiency to ensure all of Mexico’s WJCs provide timely responses to female victims of gender-based violence.
PROJUST has provided technical assistance to help the WJCs comply with the requirements established by the CONAVIM and the SESNSP and achieve IIS-WJC certification.23 Derived from PROJUST technical assistance, 18 WJCs have received IIS-WJC certification (7 in 2017 and 11 in 2018).
23 This corresponds to activity 24 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 15 One of the states that achieved the IIS-WJC certification in 2018 was Aguascalientes. This quarter PROJUST attended the ceremony to unveil the certification plaque. The State Attorney General attended the event, and stated that from the government’s perspective, “the certification does not represent an acknowledgment, but rather an evaluation that we will monitor day by day. Now the challenge for the director [of the WJC] is to maintain this certification. Therefore we must continually evaluate their efforts.” Image 7. Ceremony to unveil the IIS-WJC certification plaque at the WJC of Aguascalientes. Exhibit 5 shows the states whose WJCs were certified in 2017 and 2018, and those that have received technical assistance to date in 2019.
Exhibit 5. WJCs certified in 2017 and 2018 and have received technical assistance in 2019.
This quarter, PROJUST continued fostering IIS-WJC certification by working with WJCs in Baja California Sur, Michoacán, and Sinaloa, which have not yet achieved the certification. PROJUST technical assistance to enable these WJCs to become certified consists of informing and supporting the staff to develop documentation (protocols, reports, inter-institutional agreements) that complies with the 48 IIS-WJC indicators. Baja California Sur is expected to receive IIS-WJC certification in June 2019.
PROJUST also supports the design of tools for evaluating different aspects of WJC operations, with the aim of implementing mechanisms that allow the WJCs’ personnel to monitor operations consistently.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 16 In Baja California Sur, activities this quarter focused on the development of reports, protocols, and plans to internally disseminate the WJC’s achievements, which have led to compliance with 26 of the 48 indicators. Among the most important achievements, the WJC obtained authorization from the Attorney General’s Office to launch its own website and Facebook page.24 Using these tools, the center can communicate relevant information to the public and disseminate its activities.
In addition, PROJUST conducted a study on the Baja California Sur WJC’s organizational climate, which consisted of surveying the staff to measure their perception of working at the WJC (one of the aspects monitored within the IIS-WJC framework). As Exhibit 6 shows, the lowest-scoring item was “Financial compensation.”
77.5% 78.5% 73.8% 76.4% 70.7% 71.7% 71.7%
58.4%
Financial Fostering Available Leadership Internal Satisfaction Communication Comfortable compensation fellowship resources relationships workplace
Exhibit 6. Results from the organizational climate study in the WJC of Baja California Sur.
The WJC of Michoacán began the quarter with just 6 points out of 48 in regards to its IIS-WJC certification. PROJUST carried out a thorough review of the WJC’s documentation and held working sessions to provide staff with in-depth knowledge of the IIS-WJC methodology. With this support, the WJC developed and consolidated its institutional regulations and operational management, in addition to other actions and documents that allowed it to earn 46 points.
24 See http://www.pgjebcs.gob.mx/CENTROMUJERES/index.html and https://www.facebook.com/CJMujeresBCS/.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 17 Image 8. Working sessions with WJC personnel to provide technical assistance and develop action plans for IIS-WJC certification.
During a March 2019 visit to the WJC, PROJUST studied the WJC’s social return on investment, using a methodology developed in FY3. This tool uses financial and operating information to calculate the social impact generated by the WJCs. Through this process, PROJUST estimated that for every peso invested in the WJC in Michoacán, 1.29 pesos are returned in social benefits.
In Sinaloa, PROJUST focused technical assistance on designing and writing operational documents that the WJC had not yet developed, such as an annual work plan, code of conduct, and performance reports for WJC operators. By the end of March 2019, the WJC had developed the documentation and implemented actions in compliance with 16 of the 48 indicators. During the remainder of the project, PROJUST will continue supporting the WJC to meet a majority of the IIS-WJC requirements.
Table 14 shows the progress in compliance with the indicators in the three WJCs that received technical assistance this quarter. This progress in the application of the IIS-WJC methodology has a direct impact on the state’s responses to women, by requiring the WJCs to have mechanisms that ensure female victims of gender violence receive the best possible assistance, while considering human rights from a gender perspective. This was achieved through staff training sessions and the design and implementation of protocols on access to justice for women, among other tools.
WJC POINTS IN JANUARY POINTS IN MARCH Baja California Sur 17 26 Michoacán 6 46 Sinaloa 11 16
Table 14. IIS-WJC points achieved by the WJCs in Baja California Sur, Michoacán, and Sinaloa this quarter.
To support the sustainability of the IIS-WJC as a public policy, PROJUST is developing a web-based platform to streamline the methodology. The aim is to simplify WJCs’ participation in the calls for certification and renewal from the CONAVIM and the SESNSP. Using this platform, WJC personnel will
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 18 be able to enter the necessary information and attach supporting documents to demonstrate compliance with IIS-WJC requirements, which will help to automate the evaluation process.25
In an effort to enhance the performance of the platform, this quarter PROJUST carried out a working session in Mexico City with personnel from the WJCs of Hidalgo and Puebla to gather feedback on their experience with the certification process, in order to make the web platform a useful tool in future calls for certification.26 During the session, the staff of both centers showed interest in the platform and stressed the importance of having this tool.
PROJUST has considered the comments received during the session in the design of the platform, and will present the final version of the platform next quarter.27 These actions strengthen the response of justice institutions to victims, especially women.
CROSSCUTTING RESULT: GRANTS STRATEGY PROJUST’s grants program aims to contribute to CJS consolidation through civil society participation. The grants program generates and carries out projects with CSOs, higher education institutions, and other local actors. Each project contributes to one of the three core areas — communicating and disseminating information about the CJS, strengthening access-to-justice operations and services, or monitoring and evaluating CJS operations. Table 15 summarizes the status of the 15 grants awarded through May 2019, organized by theme.
THEME CSO OBJECTIVE AND STATE DATES STATUS Dissemination & National multimedia campaign (web- September 2015– Communication of CIDAC based application, “México alternativo”) Concluded September 2016 CJS Benefits National Dissemination & Communicate the rights and benefits of Documental Ambulante August 2016– Communication of the CJS through cinema Ongoing A.C. May 2019 CJS Benefits National Dissemination & Relaunching proyectojusticia.org May 2018– Communication of México Evalúa, A.C. Concluded National February 2019 CJS Benefits Communicate the rights and benefits of Dissemination & Mujeres en Frecuencia the CJS through a radio series with a August 2016– Communication of Ongoing A.C. gender perspective May 2019 CJS Benefits National Asociación Nacional de Strengthening Universidades e Professionalization of CJS operators and August 2017– Operations of CJS Instituciones de communicators Ongoing March 2019 Institutions Educación Superior, National A.C.28
25 This corresponds to activity 24 of the FY5 Work Plan. 26 The WJC of Hidalgo obtained certification in 2017 and the WJC of Puebla obtained certification in 2018. 27 See http://sii-cjm.org/ for information on advances to date. 28 More information regarding the closeout of this grant will be found in PROJUST’s final report.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 19 THEME CSO OBJECTIVE AND STATE DATES STATUS Strengthening Lupa Project: Citizen system to monitor Consejo Ciudadano de Operations of CJS crime reporting May–August 2018 Cancelled29 Seguridad Pública, A.C. Institutions Baja California Strengthening Strengthening UMECAs November 2016– Operations of CJS Convivencia Joven A.C. Concluded Hidalgo, Jalisco February 2019 Institutions Strengthening Strengthening UMECAs November 2016– Operations of CJS Creativeria Social A.C. Morelos, San Luis Potosí, Chihuahua (Ciudad Concluded February 2019 Institutions Juárez) Strengthening Documenta, Análisis y Ensuring access to criminal justice for May 2018– Operations of CJS Acción para la Justicia people with disabilities Ongoing April 2019 Institutions Social, A.C. Nuevo León Strengthening Professionalization of intercultural Nochaba Nikuuroka May 2018– Operations of CJS interpreters Ongoing Anakupi Niraa, A.C. April 2019 Institutions Chihuahua Strengthening the WJCs to improve Strengthening Red Mesa de Mujeres de their results in the IIS with the May 2018–March Operations of CJS Ongoing Ciudad Juárez, A.C.30 participation of civil society 2019 Institutions Chihuahua (Ciudad Juárez) Strengthening Professionalization of CJS Operators and Universidad de November 2017– Operations of CJS Communicators Ongoing Guadalajara May 2019 Institutions Jalisco Strengthening CSO participation in strengthening the May 2018– Operations of CJS Vicalli, A.C. CJS for restorative justice Ongoing April 2019 Institutions Nuevo León Monitoring the Creation of the National Network of May 2016– Results of CJS INSYDE A.C. CJS Researchers Ongoing April 2019 Institutions National Monitoring the Strengthening citizens’ justice November 2016– Results of CJS RENACE, A.B.P. observatories Concluded November 2017 Institutions Nuevo León
Table 15. Grant projects awarded through March 2019.
In January, to support the organizations participating in the grant program, PROJUST held a working session to develop sustainability and continuity plans for the projects carried out under this program. During the session, representatives of Convivencia Joven A.C., Creativeria Social A.C., the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education, A.C. (ANUIES), Documental Ambulante A.C., Mexico Evalúa A.C., and Red Mesa de Mujeres de Ciudad Juárez A.C. presented their progress on their sustainability plans, as well as preparing the documents and other requirements that must be met by the end of the grant program.
29 On August 25, 2018, the Consejo Ciudadano de Seguridad Pública, A.C. (Citizens’ Public Security Council) decided to postpone the project after a review of the process and the parties involved. The review identified some issues, mainly in the political agenda of the target state, leading to a conclusion that short-term results would not be achieved in the current political context. 30 More information regarding the closeout of this grant will be found in PROJUST’s final report.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 20 The grant projects that concluded this quarter (Mexico Evalúa, Creativeria Social, and Convivencia Joven) fulfilled their key objectives and delivered the documentation required by PROJUST. The final report for PROJUST will include detailed information on compliance with the sustainability plans.
DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION OF CJS BENEFITS
DOCUMENTAL AMBULANTE A.C. Image 9. Working session with PROJUST grantees in Mexico City. Since 2016, PROJUST has worked with Documental Ambulante A.C. (Ambulante), to communicate access to justice as a human right through cinema. In 2017, Ambulante added “Ambulante for Justice” as a crosscutting theme in its program, and carried out activities related to this topic in the 2018 tour.31
The 2019 tour, which will continue to promote justice-related issues and include transitional justice as a general theme, began on February 21 and will end on May 16, 2019. It will take place in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Jalisco, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, and Veracruz.
To inform the media of the dates, locations, themes, and activities related to the 2019 documentary tour, Ambulante held three press conferences in Mexico City, Orizaba, and Xalapa. At the press conference in Mexico City, on February 13, attendees included the programming director of Cinépolis, one of Mexico’s main cinemas, as well as Ambulante’s founders and some of the actors from the documentaries. More than 150 members of the media attended the press conference, which was also disseminated through Facebook Live and live tweeting. Image 10. Press conference to present the 2019 Ambulante Tour in Mexico City. To complement its annual documentary tour, Ambulante is organizing activities to screen and discuss its documentaries in different states for different audiences. In February 2019, Ambulante screened documentaries in the Senate, with the aim of creating a space for joint reflection among legislators and civil society. This activity (Ambulante in the Senate) is being carried out periodically, and the presentations of documentaries are usually accompanied by a
31 This corresponds to activity 32 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 21 thematic roundtable in which senators, documentary makers, experts in a particular topic, and civil society can discuss relevant topics.32
This quarter, as a result of the documentary film from Ambulante’s 2018 tour, Hasta los dientes (Armed to the Teeth),33 which tells the story of two students who were killed by Mexican soldiers, the Mexican authorities issued a public apology to the relatives of these young people.34 This highlights the importance of cinema in social advocacy and its power to create awareness around social issues.
The 2019 tour will end in May. To promote sustainability, Ambulante has expressed interest in continuing to incorporate justice-related topics in its activities for the coming years.
MUJERES EN FRECUENCIA A.C.: PROMOTING ACCESS TO JUSTICE THROUGH RADIO WITH A GENDER PERSPECTIVE Since 2016, PROJUST has worked with Mujeres en Frecuencia A.C. to design, produce, and broadcast radio shows to communicate the benefits and rights of the CJS from a gender perspective. The first series, “Let’s Talk about Justice with Lady Justice,” focuses on raising awareness among men and women in marginal rural and urban areas about the benefits of the CJS and — through this process — influencing access to justice. The second radio series, “Super Justina in Action,” was completed in 2018, and has two main objectives: (1) to contribute to the empowerment of girls and boys in exercising their rights; and (2) encourage peaceful relationships between girls and boys, emphasizing access-to-justice issues and using simple language designed for children.35
To expand the reach of the radio series, Mujeres en Frecuencia has created two comic books: ¡Se me quitó el miedo, todas estaban conmigo! (I wasn’t afraid anymore, everyone was with me!) which is based on “Let’s talk about Justice with Lady Justice,” and ¡Yo no fui! (It wasn’t me!) which is based on “Super Justina in Action.”
Mujeres en Frecuencia has used the radio series and the comic books during dissemination workshops, to focus on issues related to access to justice and empowerment of women and children.
• In 2018, workshops in the WJCs of Hidalgo and Jalisco used the “Lady Justice” series to help women participating in the workshops disseminate the series and its messages in their communities. • In January and March 2019, training workshops for “Super Justina” promoters were held in Jalisco, Hidalgo, and Michoacán to expand the reach of the series. As part of the sustainability strategy for the radio series, which includes seeking alliances for the project, PROJUST and Mujeres en Frecuencia held an event in Mexico City in February 2019. Participants — including representatives of CSOs, companies, and government institutions — showed interest in helping disseminate the radio series to promote citizens’ access to information about justice institutions and processes.
32 For more on this activity, see https://www.ambulante.org/iniciativas/en-el-senado/. 33 For more information on the documentary, see https://bit.ly/2KxR2GN. 34 Ambulante published information on this event; see https://bit.ly/2OIxZw2. 35 This corresponds to activity 33 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 22 The February event garnered two concrete results. The first was the creation of an alliance with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development to carry out an event in March 2019 at the Centro Cultural España36 in Mexico City, with the aim of presenting the comic book, ¡Se me quitó el miedo, todas estaban conmigo!
The Centro Cultural España published the invitation to the event on its website, stating that the comic book is “an awareness-raising strategy and guidance on Image 12. Presentation of the comic book, “¡Se me quitó el combating violence and promoting access to justice miedo, todas estaban conmigo!” based on the radio series for women, carried out by the CSO Mujeres en “Let’s talk about Justice with Lady Justice.” Frecuencia, with the support of USAID’s PROJUST.”37 The presentation was attended by more than 60 people from CSOs, public institutions, and the general public. The CSO representatives who attended received copies of the comic book, which they will use in their efforts to increase citizens’ access to information on judicial institutions and processes.
A second result is that Mujeres en Frecuencia has been approached by the Carlos Slim Foundation,38 which offered its web-based platforms to disseminate the series. Mujeres en Frecuencia will continue to strengthen these alliances to provide greater sustainability to their dissemination activities.
STRENGTHENING OPERATIONS OF CJS INSTITUTIONS
CREATIVERIA SOCIAL A.C. AND CONVIVENCIA JOVEN A.C.: STRENGTHENING THE UMECAS Since 2016, PROJUST has worked with Creativería Social A.C. and Convivencia Joven A.C. to strengthen the capacity of the pretrial services units (UMECAs) to jointly monitor injunctive relief and conditional suspension of the criminal process.39 Table 16 lists the states where each CSO develops its activities.
CSO STATES
Creativería Social A.C. Chihuahua (Ciudad Juárez), Morelos, and San Luis Potosí
Convivencia Joven A.C. Hidalgo and Jalisco
Table 16. States where Creativería Social and Convivencia Joven carry out their activities.
36 The cultural center is part of the network established by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development. 37 See the piece at http://ccemx.org/letras/se-me-quito-el-miedo. 38 This Mexican foundation develops programs on education, health, employment, economic development, migrants, road safety, sports, environment, justice, culture, human development, and humanitarian aid that contribute to improving the quality of life in Latin America. For more information, see http://fundacioncarlosslim.org/inicio/. 39 This corresponds to activities 34.1 y 34.2 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 23 Since 2018, Creativeria Social has worked with the UMECAs and WJCs of Ciudad Juárez, Morelos, and San Luis Potosí to develop the Interinstitutional Liaison Protocol, to ensure that it meets the needs of justice institutions. This protocol, which has already been adopted in San Luis Potosí seeks to generate mechanisms in justice institutions that will allow the proper handling and monitoring of cases involving women victims of crime and/or gender violence. The Interinstitutional Liaison Protocol aims to improve communication and coordination between the UMECAs and the WJCs, to better supervise injunctive relief imposed on defendants in cases of gender-based violence — in turn, improving access to justice for women.
This quarter, Creativeria Social held a workshop to present the Interinstitutional Liaison Protocol to government authorities in Morelos. The CSO also signed an agreement with the state authorities, which initiated the process of piloting and adopting the protocol in the state. Image 13. Working session to present the Convivencia Joven has worked in Hidalgo and Jalisco, Interinstitutional Liaison Protocol in Morelos. providing training to raise awareness and provide information to UMECA staff, so they can properly refer women victims of violence to the WJCs. In January, Convivencia Joven signed a collaboration agreement with the Network of Civil Society Organizations (made up of 11 local organizations in Jalisco) to carry out joint supervision of injunctive relief measures.
Both grants closed in February. For both organizations, the change in federal and local government authorities presented a challenge, since it required establishing relations with the UMECAs’ new personnel.
PROFESSIONALIZATION OF CJS OPERATORS AND COMMUNICATORS Since 2017, PROJUST has worked with the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions (ANUIES) and the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) to carry out a professionalization strategy for CJS operators and communicators through diploma courses, specialized courses, and master’s degrees. With this strategy, PROJUST is fostering the development of programs that will contribute to CJS consolidation through academic institutions.40
This quarter, ANUIES continued to work with higher education institutions in Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora to disseminate, plan, and encourage registration and attendance in the diploma courses delivered in the academic institutions in these states. ANUIES also continued efforts to sign an agreement with the national Executive Commission for Victims’ Assistance, which is part of ANUIES’ activities planned to be completed by the end of this year.
40 This corresponds to activities 35.1 y 35.2 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 24 The UdeG continued to teach the “Victimology” diploma course, while carrying out activities to disseminate information about this course and the “Judicial Journalism” diploma course, aiming to increase the number of CJS operator, communicator, and student participants.
To foster efficiency in the justice institutions’ processes, UdeG organized two academic events in January. The first, “The challenges of the CJS and victims,” had 119 attendees from the WJC, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Judiciary of Jalisco. The second, a series of conferences on “Oral Litigation with a Differentiated Perspective,” was held at UdeG’s Center of Economic and Administrative Sciences, with 70 people attending.
Three diploma courses began at the Center of Economic and Administrative Sciences in February: • The second “Victimology” course, with 105 registered students • The first “Court Administration” course, with 49 registered students • The first “Judicial Journalism” course, with 20 registered students
Through the strategy of professionalization for CJS operators and communicators, carried out by both organizations, justice institutions have been supported to improve the efficiency of their processes and strengthen their responses to victims with well-trained personnel to perform these tasks. Alliances with higher education institutions foster the continuity of these academic programs — the key to the strategy’s sustainability plan.
MONITORING THE RESULTS OF CJS INSTITUTIONS
INSYDE A.C.: CREATING A NATIONAL NETWORK OF CJS RESEARCHERS Since 2016, PROJUST has worked with the CSO Instituto para la Seguridad y la Democracia A.C. (INSYDE) to create the National Network of CJS Researchers.41 The network aims to generate information and knowledge about the CJS, based on methodologies that can be shared with government institutions and citizens, and to generate an academic perspective on the functionality of justice institutions. PROJUST and INSYDE have worked toward registering the network in the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) since FY4.
Because the CONACYT does not issue periodic calls for the registration of thematic research networks, INSYDE is uncertain about when they will be able to register the network. In preparation, INSYDE’s activities this quarter (in collaboration with PROJUST) focused on structuring the network and its research areas to comply with CONACYT’s registration requirements. Table 17 lists events carried out by INSYDE this quarter.
41 This corresponds to activity of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 25 DATE EVENT LOCATION Meeting of the technical council of the National Network of March 8 Mexico City CJS Researchers Presentation of research on “Comprehensive Compensation March 14 for Damages” to members of the National Network of CJS Monterrey, Nuevo León Researchers in the Autonomous University of Nuevo León Presentation of the magazine, Justicia Posible, to members of March 20 Mexico City the National Network of CJS Researchers Presentation of research on “Vulnerable groups and their March 25 access to justice” (Northern Border) to members of the Chihuahua, Chihuahua National Network of CJS Researchers Presentation of research on “Vulnerable groups and their March 28 access to justice” (Southern Border) to members of the Chetumal, Quintana Roo National Network of CJS Researchers
Table 17. Activities carried out by INSYDE from January through March 2019.
One of the most relevant events was the annual meeting of the technical and academic committee of the National Network of CJS Researchers, to discuss the accomplishments of the network to date and to develop the work plan for next year. Attendees included members of the network of different universities, such as the Autonomous University of Querétaro, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and the UNAM. As a result of the meeting, committee members agreed to hold the second congress of the network in collaboration with UNAM, and to develop a diploma course in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Querétaro.
Another event, held in March in Nuevo León, was the presentation of progress on the research paper, “Comprehensive Compensation for Damages: Analysis from the CJS Network.” Attendees included members of the network from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, as well as PROJUST’s Task 4 manager, Image 14. Presentation of the research paper, “Comprehensive Compensation for Gabriela Saavedra García, who is a Damages: Analysis from the CJS Network” at the Autonomous University of Nuevo member of the network and wrote León. the section of the research paper titled “Compensations with a gender perspective.”
Also in March, the digital magazine, Justicia Posible (a web platform where members of the network publish their work) was presented in Mexico City. The magazine’s website includes information about members of the network, brief descriptions of their academic background, and some papers that have
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 26 been published. The website mentions that the network formally began its activities as of February 2018, thanks to the support of USAID, through PROJUST.42
Image 15. Website of the digital magazine, Justicia Posible, developed by INSYDE.
All the activities carried out by INSYDE help disseminate the work of the National Network of CJS Researchers, consolidate it as a reference for academic research on the CJS in Mexico, and contribute to training, evidence generation, and partnerships between academic institutions and CSOs, which fosters sustainability.
CROSSCUTTING STRATEGY: ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT To support the consolidation of the CJS from a local perspective, in 2018, PROJUST selected six CSOs to carry out projects in different Mexican states. The main focus during FY5 is to ensure all projects carry out activities focused on their long-term sustainability, such as generating alliances with key CJS actors, companies, and civil society. Table 18 provides a summary of progress.43
42 The digital magazine can be seen at https://bit.ly/2HMMBtr 43 This corresponds to activities 37.1, 37.3, 37.4, 37.5, and 37.6 of the FY5 Work Plan.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 27 CSO PROJECT MAIN ACTIONS AND PROGRESS AND STATE AS OF MARCH 2019
Red Mesa de Strengthen the WJC On March 11, members of Red Mesa de Mujeres met with the Mujeres de to improve its IIS governor of Chihuahua, who committed to promoting women’s Ciudad Juárez, results, with civil rights and addressing gender-based violence, by strengthening A.C. society participation Chihuahua’s WJC.44 Chihuahua (Ciudad Juárez)
Nochaba Professionalization of Held the forum, “Rights for People in a Situation of Vulnerability,” Nikuuroka intercultural on March 29. The objective was to generate a space for interaction Anakupi Niraa, interpreters between CJS operators and the translators who have been trained A.C. Chihuahua in the diploma course in Chihuahua. 80 people attended. Concluded the “Professionalization of intercultural interpreters” diploma course and held the closing ceremony on March 30 in Chihuahua, where the 21 participants received their diplomas.
México Evalúa, Relaunching Held a launch event for the digital platform “Lab Justicia,” which A.C. proyectojusticia.org allows citizens to see and compare information on the evolution of National the CJS in each Mexican state, based on certain indicators.45 Several local media have published pieces referring to the platform.46 This grant ended on February 28, 2019.
Vicalli, A.C. CSO participation in Continued delivering workshops to strengthen the social fabric strengthening the CJS through the prevention of family violence. for restorative justice Some workshops were about gender roles and types of violence. Nuevo León
Documenta, Ensuring access to Signed a collaboration agreement with Tecnológico de Monterrey Análisis y criminal justice for to deliver a diploma course on disability and access to justice, Acción para la people with disabilities aimed primarily at the academic community and justice operators. Justicia Social, Nuevo León Worked with the staff of the Nuevo León UMECA to define a A.C. training program for UMECA personnel. From January 21–25, carried out a training program, “Key aspects to integrate the perspective of disability,” in the Attorney General’s Office of Nuevo León.
Table 18. CSO projects, main actions, and progress.
44 For an article about this meeting, see https://bit.ly/2WybCMe. 45 The digital platform can be seen at https://bit.ly/2OFFKCQ. 46 See the pieces at https://bit.ly/2JYbpRf, https://bit.ly/2uGf8Z9, https://bit.ly/2VtSXAG, and https://bit.ly/2I7pM2X.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 28 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: END OF PROJECT
Because this is the final year of the project, most challenges and opportunities relate to the continuity and long-term sustainability of PROJUST’s strategies. Due to the political transitions that have occurred in most of the project’s national and state-level counterparts this year, a challenge for Task 3, Task 4, and the grants program has been to establish relationships and alliances with the new political actors who will be responsible for ensuring the continuity of activities and agreements with the Mexican government.
TASK 3: INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM • Opportunity: The “Journalism and Communication for Justice” diploma course, carried out in collaboration with the UNAM’s Department of Political and Social Sciences, will conclude its first and second deliveries in coming months. The UNAM has agreed to deliver a third diploma course at the end of 2019, contributing to the sustainability of the professionalization strategy for journalists. PROJUST must ensure an adequate transfer of the course information and material, so future generations of journalists and communicators can have access to the course. • Challenge: A key challenge is to strengthen relations with Locatel’s new authorities to foster the continuity of the multiplatform “Justice for You” project. PROJUST must continue working closely with Locatel to ensure they continue collecting the necessary data to monitor the progress of this initiative.
TASK 4: INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND IMPROVE VICTIMS’ ASSISTANCE • Opportunity/Challenge: Implementation of the Operations Management Model in the specialized ADRM agencies has shown positive results in the target states. Measures to ensure its continuity are necessary, especially considering changes in the state counterparts. PROJUST must ensure all new state authorities have the information they need to continue with adoption of the model, as well as with the recommendations PROJUST has made, in order to maximize the model’s potential. • Opportunity: To promote sustainability of IIS-WJC implementation as a public policy, PROJUST must complete the web-based platform for automation of the methodology. This methodology will simplify participation for all WJCs and new political actors in the IIS-WJC certification process.
CROSSCUTTING RESULT: GRANTS STRATEGY • Challenge: For grantees that have not yet closed their projects, a challenge is to support them in their sustainability plans and in the development of documentation required by PROJUST for their closure. For grantees that have closed their projects, the challenge is to monitor the implementation of their sustainability plans. • Opportunity/Challenge: For Mujeres en Frecuencia, a challenge for the remainder of the project is to continue generating long-term alliances with relevant counterparts that will further the
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 29 dissemination of both radio series. Important advances were made this quarter, especially the alliances with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development and the Carlos Slim Foundation. It is important for Mujeres en Frecuencia capitalize on these opportunities to expand the project’s reach among the target audiences. • Opportunity/Challenge: For INSYDE, an important objective is to register the National Network of CJS Researchers with the CONACYT. Since the date of the call for registration is uncertain, INSYDE must continue carrying out activities and being constantly prepared to participate in that process when the time comes.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 30 ANNEX I: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 31 ANNEX II: TRAINET
TRAINING ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE QUARTER (JANUARY – MARCH 2019) AND UPLOADED TO TRAINET The following table shows the training activities developed by PROJUST during this quarter.
Total Total Total Training Program Name Start Date End Date Subject Field Male Female Trainees Type
329. Development of complementary grants with Criminal specific topics to support the TECHNICAL Justice/Law consolidation of the criminal 01/24/2019 01/25/2019 9 14 23 PROGRAM - Enforcement Workshop justice system (APS). Closing of Administration project’s 1st part
330. Carry out a diploma course on judicial communication with academic endorsement and a training of Criminal trainers that teach the diploma TECHNICAL Justice/Law degree in judicial 02/01/2019 06/21/2019 6 10 16 PROGRAM - Enforcement Workshop communication as part of the Administration professionalization of CJS actors’ project. Second generation
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 32 Total Total Total Training Program Name Start Date End Date Subject Field Male Female Trainees Type
331. Provide technical assistance to state justice institutions through guided visits that: Promote understanding of the SJP by Criminal TECHNICAL Justice/Law PROGRAM - journalists, CSOs and academic 02/27/2019 02/27/2019 17 13 30 Enforcement On-the-job institutions, seeking to Administration Training strengthen the relationships between the actors of the local systems. Last session in Jalisco
332. Provide technical assistance to state justice institutions through guided visits that: Promote understanding of the SJP by Criminal TECHNICAL journalists, CSOs and academic Justice/Law PROGRAM - 03/16/2019 03/16/2019 9 8 17 institutions, seeking to Enforcement On-the-job strengthen the relationships Administration Training between the actors of the local systems. Last session in San Luis Potosí
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 33 Total Total Total Training Program Name Start Date End Date Subject Field Male Female Trainees Type
333. Provide technical assistance to state justice institutions through guided visits that: Promote Criminal TECHNICAL understanding of the SJP by Justice/Law PROGRAM - 03/23/2019 03/23/2019 1 0 1 journalists, CSOs and academic Enforcement On-the-job institutions, seeking to Administration Training strengthen the relationships between the actors of the local systems. Consolidating organ. Took place in Zacatecas.
334. Provide technical assistance to state justice institutions through guided visits that: Promote Criminal TECHNICAL understanding of the SJP by Justice/Law PROGRAM - 03/30/2019 03/30/2019 8 5 13 journalists, CSOs and academic Enforcement On-the-job institutions, seeking to Administration Training strengthen the relationships between the actors of the local systems. Last session in Zacatecas.
USAID.GOV USAID/MEXICO PROJUST PROJECT – TASKS 3 & 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: JAN. – MAR. 2019 | 34