1
PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THEOEA/Ser.G
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATESCAJP/GT/DR-8/02
2 May 2002
COMMITTEE ON JURIDICAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRSOriginal: Spanish
Working Group on Representative Democracy
QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT
TO THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OAS ON ACTIVITIES OF THE
UNIT FOR THE PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY (UPD)
Fourth Quarter
From October 1 to December 31, 2001
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SG/UPD-273/02April , 2002
Excellency:
I have the honor to address Your Excellency to forward the quarterly report of the OAS General Secretariat on the activities of the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy in the fourth quarter of 2001. I would also request that you kindly forward the report to the Working Group on Representative Democracy for distribution and review.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.
César Gaviria
Her Excellency
Margarita Escobar
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of El Salvador
Chair of the Permanent Council of the
Organization of American States
Washington, D.C.
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QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT
TO THE OAS PERMANENT COUNCIL ON THE ACTIVITIES OF
THE UNIT FOR THE PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY (UPD)
Fourth Quarter
October 1 to December 31, 2001
I. STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
A. Support Program for Legislative Institutions
Americas
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Interparliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA). On November 23-24, at the request of the chair of FIPA, the UPD participated in the meeting of the FIPA Executive Committee, which took place in Bridgetown, Barbados. The objectives of the meeting were to evaluate the preparatory activities for the next meeting, secure funding for the technical secretariat’s activities, approve the project on the Virtual Parliament of the Americas, and consider the participation of PARLATINO and other institutions in the Forum. The most important results included approval of the proposal for the Virtual Parliament; the draft project to be submitted to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for funding the activities that support the Forum; and the decision to invite PARLATINO to participate as a special observer, pursuant to FIPA rules.The Executive Committee also decided to address the issue of security in the new millennium at its next meeting, with the aim of offering concrete responses, from the legislative perspective, for issues of common interest, such as the threat of terrorism.
Central America
Special Project on Parliaments and Human Rights Ombudsmen. The subregional assessment was completed, through which research on national legislation pertaining to the applicability and exercise of economic, social and cultural rights was carried out in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Belize. The purpose was to provide the Central American Council of Human Rights Ombudsmen and the Forum of Presidents of Central American Legislatures (FOPREL) with updated information on the subject and on the need to adjust regulations and strategies of action in order to apply them. They will be discussed later by a high-level regional working group. The study included application of a broad SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) of the relationship between human rights ombudsmen and parliaments. It also contains a brief institutional diagnosis (field work) on the offices of human rights ombudsmen in Central America vis-à-vis their strategies, plans of action and resources for preventing human rights violations or addressing human rights complaints.Further progress was made to develop closer ties and working methodologies for joint efforts between the ombudsmen and the parliaments, with the aim of increasing efforts to protect and promote human rights. This project is being implemented as part of UPD’s support to FOPREL, and receives financial support from the Government of Finland.
MERCOSUR
High-level Seminar on Legislative Modernization and Integration for MERCOSUR member countries.This seminar was held in Montevideo, Uruguay on November 4-12, with high-level support from the Government of Uruguay and the MERCOSUR Joint Parliamentary Commission. The Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Education, and the chair of the Chamber of Representatives were also actively involved. Thirty-five young scholarship holders, including legislators, political party leaders, members of the academic community and journalists from MERCOSUR countries, attended. The main objectives were to improve the understanding of the role of the legislative branch in democracy and integration, help upgrade capabilities for objectively analyzing the situation of Congresses, and search for concrete and realistic ways to strengthen them.
Program to Modernize the Legislature of Cordoba, Argentina. In response to a request from the Undersecretary for Relations with the Provinces (Ministry of the Economy), the UPD presented a draft “Comprehensive Program for Modernization of the Legislature” to ministry authorities and the Cordoba legislature. This project is the first of its kind for the UPD/OAS, and is to be implemented with funds that have already been approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and IACD/OAS. Once the agreement is signed, the participating parties will create a task force to draw up the final program proposal.
B.Cooperation Program on Decentralization and Local Government
Americas
The Sixth Annual Congress of the Latin American Center of Administration for Development (CLAD) was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 6, 2001. The UPD participated in coordinating the presentations by a panel of five experts who spoke on comparative views of decentralization in the hemisphere: lessons learned and future challenges.
Central America
The Second High-level Regional Central American Course “Elements for the Formulation and Implementation of Decentralization Policies” was held in Antigua, Guatemala from December 9-16. It is an activity of the Inter-American Network on Decentralization and Local Government (RIAD), and was organized in collaboration with the Central American Parliament, the Central American Institute for Political Studies (INCEP), and especially, under the auspices of the Government of Guatemala, through the Presidential Commission for State Decentralization. This training and refresher course involved high-level Central American policymakers, including presidents of commissions for municipal affairs; ministers responsible for decentralization, participation and local government; and presidents of municipal associations in the region. Course objectives were to contribute to developing in participants a greater awareness of the importance and reasons for strengthening decentralization processes and citizen participation; provide an opportunity for reflection on and comparative analysis of decentralization processes in Central America; upgrade analytical abilities and skills and foster the use of modern high policy management techniques for administering decentralization and local government processes; and finally, encourage an exchange of experiences and critical assessments among leaders of political parties, parliaments, local governments, media representatives, and central governments involved in decentralization, local development and citizen participation.
MERCOSUR
First Technical Meeting to Link the Specialized Meeting of MERCOSUR Municipalities and Superintendencies (REMI) and RIAD. This meeting was held in Buenos Aires on November 28, at the request of the Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs (Ministry of the Interior), and in collaboration with the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (Government of Argentina).At this technical meeting of officials of the RIAD technical secretariat and REMI representatives, program information was exchanged between REMI and the UPD (as technical secretariat of RIAD), and priority fields of actions were identified for REMI. In addition, areas of possible cooperation were discussed relative to the topics contained in the La Paz Declaration adopted at the Ministerial Meeting held in Buenos Aires in July 2001. Some 20 participants attended, including representatives of the national sections of REMI, representatives of the UPD, and special guests from academic and research institutes. The UPD, as technical secretariat, provided technical support and coordinated the event.
C.Program for Promoting Democratic Practices and Values
Americas
Training Program for Democratic Leaders (CALIDEM). In collaboration with the IDB, the CALIDEM program, which seeks to stimulate democratic leadership through a program of national courses, was formally launched. During this quarter, the bidding process was completed for a national course to be held in Peru during the first quarter of next year.
Research. As part of the regional courses, several research projects were carried out by renowned experts on democratic institutions, values and practices, as well as on the stakeholders of democracy. The findings will be published in 2002.
MERCOSUR
Third Regional MERCOSUR Course for Young Leaders on Democratic Institutions, Values and Practices.This course was held in Santiago, Chile on October 21-31 and was attended by 45 outstanding youths from opinion-forming sectors (i.e., political parties, nongovernmental organizations, the media and academic circles) from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.Professors and 15 experts from the region participated. The course was based on a conceptual and methodological design provided by UPD, and was sponsored by the Alberto Hurtado University, the National Institute of Youth of the Ministry of Planning and Cooperation (MIDEPLAN), and the College of the Americas of the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (COLAM). Course attendees remain in touch through virtual networks.
II. ELECTORAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
A.Strengthening Electoral Institutions
Americas
Regional Computer Laboratory. Efforts continued to modernize computer systems of the different institutions in charge of civil registries and/or electoral records in the member countries. In addition, processes were designed and implemented for keeping information on the web page up to date, and other options were added, including mail and consultation for facilitating control of project progress and collaboration among computer science consultants.
Technical support continued to be provided to Guatemala, Honduras and Ecuador in the area of Internet design and tools.
Central America
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Guatemala. See Chapter V, section A of this report.
National Electoral Tribunal (TNE) of Honduras. During this quarter, the following activities were carried out as part of the assistance provided to the TNE in preparation for the November elections:
Training: Pursuant to the agreement with the TNE, preparations got under way with the members of the Technical Electoral Commission for holding the Training Workshop for Facilitators of the Political Parties. This event was held in Tegucigalpa on October 5-6, attended by 243 persons from different parts of the country, representing the five political parties. The purpose of the activity was to provide 50 representatives from each political party with the tools necessary for training the members of their respective parties to serve at the polling stations. They were provided with the opportunity to become familiar with, discuss, reach consensus on, coordinate and exchange experiences related to the activity of the polling stations, in accordance with current legislation and the resolutions and guidelines of the competent bodies. The activity was repeated in San Pedro Sula on November 9, and later in the capital on Monday, November 12. The events were carried out as scheduled, and were heavily attended.Several TNE magistrates attended to answer questions, which increased the impact of the event.
Computer systems:Two automated systems were completed and delivered as scheduled for use on election day. One was the structure for the web page and the other the computer system and mechanisms for the press room installed by the TNE. Both satisfied the needs expressed by the electoral authority for election day.
Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) in Nicaragua. Monitoring visits on computer-related issues were made for the November elections to gather information on activities and on progress made. Recommendations were also provided to enhance timeliness in obtaining final election results.
Caribbean
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Meetings were held with authorities from the offices of the civil and electoral registries, and with the Minister of Telecommunications, to discuss a program to strengthen the civil and electoral registries. On that occasion, the physical space and security required for the equipment purchased during the quarter were discussed.
Saint Lucia. A meeting was held with the government authority in charge of the special committee established by the Prime Minister to coordinate the activities of the OAS civil registry project. During the meeting, it was determined that a greater participation by technical experts was necessary to ensure effective execution of registry tasks.
MERCOSUR
Technical Assistance to the Supreme Tribunal for Electoral Justice (TSJE) of Paraguay. Logistic support was provided for re-engineering the process of voter certification. The modifications facilitate the work of the polling officers and reduce the average time it takes voters to cast their votes.Support was also provided to the TSJE for preparing resolutions on the electoral calendar, the presentation of candidates, official vote counts, the preliminary transmission of results, the regulation of electronic voting, regulations for recognizing transitory movements, and the agreement with the National University of Asuncion on a pilot electronic voting project.
Horizontal Cooperation Program. During this quarter, the first instance of horizontal cooperation among electoral agencies of the hemisphere (Brazil-Paraguay) took place, with a view to automating the electoral process.A pilot electronic voting plan was implemented that involved a broad-reaching computerization of all levels of the electoral administration. This pilot plan was carried out during Paraguay’s November 18 municipal elections, and included the use of Brazilian electronic ballot boxes for 34,000 voters. The experience demonstrated that horizontal cooperation can be successful and make optimum use of human and financial resources.
Andean Region
National Electoral Tribunal (TNE) of Ecuador. The voter registration and election results systems were successfully transferred to the new Oracle database acquired by the Electoral Tribunal. The applications were reformulated to support this new database. In addition, technical assistance was provided for posting information from political organizations on the Tribunal’s web page.
During this quarter, the strategic plan for the 2002 general elections that had been presented to TNE authorities was carried out. An evaluation was made of fundamental and contingency tasks, computer requirements, and the scheduling of the work leading up to the elections.In this connection, technical support was provided for the installation, configuration and security of the new database acquired by the TNE. Support was also provided for installing and configuring the computers of the Tribunal’s decentralized offices.
- Modernizing Civil and Electoral Registries
Central America
National Electoral Tribunal (TNE) of Honduras.The telecommunications network was designed to link the country’s 30 largest offices of the TNE’s National Registry of Persons (RNP), with a view to making it possible for information on registration, changes and certifications to be transmitted to headquarters and to have fully updated registries available on Internet, thereby improving services and reducing the risk of a single person being registered twice.Statistical reports were prepared to evaluate and monitor the production of birth, marriage and death registries, and the number of certificates issued. The audit report module was completed.
During this quarter, the system for providing election results over the Internet for the November elections was worked on, and technical support continued to be provided to computer technicians at the National Registry of Persons for managing the systems developed.
Municipality of Xela – Civil Registries. Technical assistance continued to be provided for inputting birth records into the database system; some 25,000 such records were inputted.Users tested the death records entry system, and the municipality is expected to hire new typists to begin mass inputting these records.
The new computer network was wired, configured and installed at the office of the Civil Registry; support and technical assistance continued to be provided to the office of the Municipal Civil Registrar on system use and maintenance.
Municipality of Guatemala – Civil Registry. The modules for birth and death records were completed; the model for the certificates was designed to include security measures to prevent falsification. During this period, new modules were also designed for computerizing the records on recognition, adoption and divorce. Computer technicians at the civil registry offices also received training to improve coordination among them and to formulate solutions for the proposed systems.
Caribbean
Grenada. On November 29-30, a working meeting (round table) entitled “Security of Civil Registries in the Caribbean” was held. This first meeting brought together authorities responsible for the vital statistics of citizens in 12 participating member countries; ideas and proposals were discussed for continuing the subregional exchange and collaboration in this area.
MERCOSUR
Specialized Agency – Program to Modernize the Civil Registry of Paraguay (MORECIV). The specialized agency continued to work to develop and modernize institutional management of the Civil Registry (REC) in Paraguay. With the project unit, the specialized agency finished drafting terms of reference that propose a single hiring for bidding on the components pertaining to file retrieval, registry management, and administrative and financial management. In addition, the first analysis was prepared of the documentation of the ten businesses that submitted tenders.
In the area of training, a series of seminars was organized with the REC directorate to present information on the current status of the institution’s central archives. The primary objective was to report on the new location of the books and on new rules for this area, with a view to ensuring an active, permanent and efficient involvement of REC human resources in the state modernization process.
III. INFORMATION AND DIALOGUE / DEMOCRATIC FORUM