Sec. 112. Strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption
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/bill/114/hr/5850/ih/section-112·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to section 111(a), $260,000,000 may be made available to the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption, consolidate democratic governance, and defend human rights. The Secretary and the Administrator may use the amounts made available under subsection
(a)to provide assistance for Central American countries through the activities described in subsection (c). Activities described in this section include— strengthening the rule of law in Central American countries by providing support for— the Office of the Attorney General and public prosecutors in each such country, including— the enhancement of their forensics and communications interception capabilities; expansion of the presence of the Office of the Attorney General throughout each country’s national territory; specialized training for prosecutors to investigate crimes of sexual violence; and the provision of active technical collaboration for complex investigations; reforms leading to independent, merit-based, selection processes for judges and prosecutors, and relevant ethics and professional training; the improvement of victim and witness protection; the reform and improvement of prison facilities and management; and ongoing, mandatory training for judges and prosecutors on sexual and gender-based violence and violence against LGBT persons; combating corruption by providing support for— inspectors general and oversight institutions, including relevant training for inspectors and auditors; international commissions against impunity, including the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), the Support Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), and potential similar efforts in El Salvador; civil society watchdogs conducting oversight of executive branch officials and functions, police and security forces, and judicial officials and public prosecutors; and the enhancement of freedom of information mechanisms; consolidating democratic governance by providing support for— the reform of civil services, related training programs, and relevant career laws and processes that lead to independent, merit-based selection processes; national legislatures and their capacity to conduct oversight of executive branch functions; the reform of political party and campaign finance laws; and local governments and their capacity to provide critical safety, education, health, and sanitation services to citizens; and defending human rights by providing support for— human rights ombudsman offices; government protection programs that provide physical protection to human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and civil society activists at risk; civil society organizations that promote and defend human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, labor rights, and LGBT rights; and civil society organizations that address sexual, domestic, and inter-partner violence against women and protect victims of such violence.