Sec. 1299P–3. Actions to strengthen democratic institutions in the Northern Triangle
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/bill/116/hr/6395/pcs/section-1299p-3·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of State shall prioritize strengthening democratic institutions, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law in the Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the following initiatives: Providing support to strengthen government institutions and actors at the local and national levels to provide services and respond to citizen needs through transparent, inclusive, and democratic processes. Supporting efforts to strengthen access to information laws and reform laws that currently limit access to information.
Financing efforts to build the capacity of independent media with a specific focus on professional investigative journalism. Ensuring that threats and attacks on journalists and human rights defenders are fully investigated and perpetrators are held accountable. Developing the capacity of civil society to conduct oversight and accountability mechanisms at the national and local levels. Training political actors committed to democratic principles. Strengthening electoral institutions and processes to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
Advancing conservation principles and the rule of law to address multiple factors, including the impacts of illegal cattle ranching and smuggling as drivers of deforestation. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to support democratic governance in the Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the initiatives described in subsection (a).
In developing the strategy required under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult with nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle countries and the United States. The strategy required under paragraph
(1)shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy’s progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern Triangle to the United States. The strategy required under paragraph
(1)shall include a public diplomacy strategy for educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about United States assistance and its benefits to them, and informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration to the United States. Not later than 1 year after the submission of the strategy required under paragraph
(1)and annually thereafter for 4 years, the Secretary of State shall provide the appropriate congressional committees with a written description of progress made in meeting the benchmarks established in the strategy. The strategy required under paragraph
(1)shall be made publicly available on the website of the Department of State.