Special Group on Justice
Origin
Formed at the request of the OAS General Assembly in April, 1999, the Special
Group on Justice [AG/RES.
1562 (XXVIII-O/98)] follows up on implementation of the mandates of the
Meetings of the Ministers of Justice or of Ministers or Attorneys General of
the Americas [AG/RES.
1698 (XXX-O/00)]. These hemispheric meetings essentially aim to
strengthen the justice system and judicial organs in the context of
inter-American cooperation.
Topics
Since the first meeting in Buenos Aires in December, 1997 (REMJA/doc.33/97),
which was followed by meetings in Lima (March 1999) and San José in Costa Rica
(March 2000) (REMJA-III/doc.14/00), the
Meetings of the Ministers of Justice or of Ministers or Attorneys General of
the Americas have addressed the following issues.
Documents
Draft agenda for the Fourth Meeting of Ministers of Justice or
of Ministers or Attorneys General(Document
presented by the Chair of the Special Group on Justice of the Permanent Council
of the OAS) GE/REMJA/doc.69/01
Order of business
18 October 2001
Access to justice
In this area, the idea is to develop mechanisms allowing everyone-and especially
persons with low incomes-simple and timely access to justice, by taking steps
to enhance the transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness of the justice
system. Member states have committed themselves to continuing to share their
experiences regarding measures and initiatives adopted within countries, and to
exchanging information on progress made and obstacles encountered by OAS member
states with respect to access to justice in their own country. They will also
report on legal safeguards for children and young people, and on the
implementation of alternative mechanisms of conflict resolution in their
justice systems. For those purposes, an effort will be made to pinpoint the
cooperation mechanisms that are applicable to these areas. Steps to be
undertaken include: compiling legislation currently in force in these areas,
with a view to creating a database; conducting comparative studies; and drawing
up a roster of countries and institutions in a position to provide
international cooperation in these fields.
Strengthening and development of inter-American
cooperation
Strengthening and development of inter-American cooperation in the field of
technical cooperation; reform and modernization of justice systems.
REMJA/doc.6/97
Cyber Crime
Prosecution and investigation of cyber crime GE/REMJA/doc.
51/99 and
AG/RES. 1615 (XXIX-O/99).
Prison and Penitentiary Policy
Reiteration of the need to promote, within the framework of the
OAS, the sharing of experience acquired in member states as well as technical
cooperation in the field of prison and penitentiary policy.
Extradition and mutual legal assistance
Inter-American
Convention on Extradition
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