Due Process Of Law Foundation

Programs: Judicial independence: this program promotes judicial independence as fundamental for the rule of law, and succeeded in consolidated, on the hemispheric agenda, the importance and urgency of transparent and merit-based selection process for high-ranking judicial officials as a mechanism to combat corruption and impunity. In 2017, we focused on the election of general prosecutors, issuing a guide for the selection of general prosecutors (in spanish, english, and portuguese) and country specific reports for brazil, guatemala, and mexico. We also issued a report on international standards for selecting general prosecutors, and a number of infographics that explain these issues graphically. In el salvador and bolivia, we continued to promote transparent and merit based high court selection processes with international monitoring panels and infographics.

human rights & extractive industries: this program seeks the acknowledgment and respect of international standards related to the right to prior consultation of indigenous and tribal peoples, and acknowledgment of states' extraterritorial obligations, particularly as they related to the extractive industry. In 2017 dplf continued its efforts to disseminate standards and norms established by the inter american human rights system related to human rights and extractive industries and extraterritoriality, and especially the responsibility of the home states of extractive corporations through an infographic issued in english, spanish, portuguese, and french. The program also launched a report on the right to consultation in brazil.

impunity & grave human rights violations: this program addresses impunity for grave human rights violations of the past and the repercussions this lack of justice has had on the present state of justice, reflecting the continued weakness of judicial systems in the region. In el salvador, dplf succeeded in placing unresolved issues of the past once again on the national agenda, reflected in the newly established national search committee for those disappeared during the armed conflict. Our advocacy activities brought international human rights forums (un & inter american human rights system) attention with some first-ever visits by commissioner and special rapporteurs. We also supported civil society in writing reports on the human rights situation in the country that they presented before the un human rights committee and the iachr.

strengthening the inter american human rights system: this program monitors the oas on human rights issues and carries out applied research, advocacy activities, and promotes informed dialogue amongst users of the oas's iahrs to promote continuation of the system's legacy and its relevance to current realities. In 2017, dplf sought to improve the selection process of members of the inter-american commission and court on human rights, advocating for transparent and merit based national candidate nominating processes and oas selection process. Dplf advocated, monitored, and supported an independent experts panel that evaluated the candidates and selection process. Our efforts were instrumental in the oas passing a resolution that called for more transparent selection processes.