The Consolidation of Judicial Reform in Latin America: Fantasy or Reality?

After seven years living in Central America and Mexico, Diana Negroponte has examined levels of insecurity in the hemisphere and alternative means to contain criminal violence. Reform and strengthening of the judiciary is one important solution. In the 1990s, many states amended their constitutions to improve access to justice, greater transparency in criminal proceedings, the problem of impunity from prosecution and the transition to an accusatorial judicial system with oral arguments. The implementation of these reforms is uneven, with the courts in Chile demonstrating the effectiveness of reform and others struggling to persuade citizens, politicians and judges that change is not prejudicial. Most recently, Mexico enacted major reform of its criminal justice system. The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Negroponte to discuss the elements necessary for effective reform and the obstacles thrown into its path.

More about the Transparency and Accountability Toward Better Governance Series

TAP hosts a regular luncheon seminar series, entitled “Toward Better Governance: Strengthening Government Accountability in Low-and Middle-Income Countries,” which is designed to demonstrate the breadth and nuance of the issue of accountability by bringing a diverse group of experts to stimulate a richer and broader debate on promoting better governance.

To receive more information on the Toward Better Governance Series, please contact Alice Krupit.