Resolutions 2007

In Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 28, 2007, the Board of Directors met with the participation of the Counselors Jaime Arellano, President, Germán Garavano, Vice President, Hebe Martinez, Lloyd Ellis, George M. Thomson and Russell Wheeler, and under of articles 12 literal a. and 13 of its Statute and 18 and 19 of its Regulations, resolves:
  1. To appoint unanimously as Executive Director of JSCA, after a final international competition, cited with due publicity, and developed through a timely, rapid, informed, transparent and permanent access to all interested parties, to the lawyer Cristián Riego Ramírez, in accordance with the procedure agreed by this Council at its XVII and XVIII sessions, held in Santiago and Ottawa respectively, taking into special consideration the decision adopted at the last Council to interview, through telephone conference, the five final candidates and the report prepared for these purposes by the Selection Sub-Committee, composed of the Directors Thomson (Canada), Ellis (Jamaica) and Arellano (Chile). In turn this designation is based entirely on the merit of the background of the candidate that is indicated below:

    1.1 That Mr. Riego has vast experience in the work of public policies in the judicial sector, an issue that he has been developing for more than a decade and that has made a decisive contribution to the various reform processes that are carried out in the countries of the continent and the work that he carries out in JSCA, in his capacity as Academic Director of said institution.

    1.2 That this experience has translated into a solid network of contacts with relevant actors of the justice system throughout the region, a key asset to strengthen the work of the agency in the hemisphere, and assume the new challenges that the Justice Sector will demand.

    1.3 That, in this context, the designated Director exhibits a valuable knowledge of the reality of CARICOM, an essential issue for the promotion of new reforms in the continent, and that is consistent with the objective that the JSCA Statute prescribes, in order to promote the exchange between the continental system and the common-law.

    1.4 That the candidate has demonstrated that he has the skills of management, exploration of resources and evaluation of initiatives necessary to finance and execute projects that will undoubtedly require the attention and participation of the Executive Director, an asset that is especially relevant in the face of the challenges of financial sustainability that will have to face in the future JSCA.

    1.5 That, during his interview, Mr. Riego affirmed that one of its central objectives is to strengthen the internationalization policies of JSCA, for which purpose it will strengthen the professional internship program that will allow expanding the representation and diversity of JSCA as an organism of the inter-American system.

    Finally, it should be established that the selection criteria established by this Council aimed to select the best candidate independently of factors other than their merits, such as nationality, origin or residence. It was concluded that in the case of Mr. Riego, given his background and, especially, his role, leadership and relationship in the regional judicial environment, all elements validated by solvent international references received from authorities other than the Chilean one, his appointment was solid, reasoned and indispensable to carry out successfully the following challenges that JSCA has as an international institution.

    In addition, the Council authorizes the immediate start of the replacement process for Mr. Riego, as Academic Director, which must be finalized as soon as the VII Meeting of Ministers of Justice or Ministers or Attorneys General of the Americas - REMJA- ratifies the appointment of the Executive Director. Special measures will be taken into account to have a candidate that adds value to the international diversity of JSCA's management team.
  2. To express its gratitude to all the professionals interested in this international competition, especially those pre-selected who have attended the interviews held today. His qualified professional credentials and high personal qualities motivated the decision agreed in the first point was arduous and thoughtful. The Council takes note of the letter sent by the candidate Álvaro Herrero, by means of which he excused himself, for personal reasons, from attending the personal interviews, renouncing consequently to continue in the contest.
  3. To entrust the Executive Secretary with the necessary and timely tasks for this resolution to be transmitted to the next REMJA, for the pertinent purposes provided in articles 6 and 12 letter a of the Statute.
  4. To thank Dr. Jose O. Casas, President of the Superior Court of Justice of the City Autonomous of Buenos Aires, to Dr. Luis Losano, member of said Court, and through him to the rest of the members of the Judicial Power of the City of Buenos Aires, for the integral support provided to carry out the meeting of this Council, in dependence of the Court.
  5. To convene a forthcoming meeting of the Directing Council within the framework of VII REMJA, to be held soon in Washington DC, for which the Executive Secretary is entrusted with the proper coordination and preparation of said session, reporting on the progress made to the Board and Executive Director.

In Ottawa, Canada on December 4, 2007, the Board of Directors met with the participation of Counselors Jaime Arellano, President, Germán Garavano, Vice President, Lloyd Ellis, George M. Thomson and Russell Wheeler, and pursuant to Article 13 of its Statutes 18 and 19 of its Regulations, resolves:
  1. To express its satisfaction with the meeting held with officials of the Canadian International Cooperation Agency (CIDA), reiterating its gratitude to the institution for the support given to the work of JSCA and their satisfaction with the results achieved with the project in current execution.
  2. Express its satisfaction at the designation by the Department of Justice of Canada of a person as a permanent link with JSCA, as well as the fact that during 2008 an official of that institution will work in the JSCA offices and for the joint projects they are developing, especially in the training of prosecutors in the region.
  3. Approve the 2007 Activities Report and the Work Plan and Budget 2008, presented by the Executive Director, congratulating the latter for the work done.
  4. To convey, through the President of the Council, his gratitude to the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, Ambassador Thomas Shannon, for the note received on November 27, which complements the financial resources of JSCA in US $ 50,000 for the 2008 period.
  5. To thank the Evaluation Sub-Commission, in charge of the process of pre-selection of the position of Executive Director, the work carried out with a view to this objective, stating its conformity with the criteria used in this task and with the names of the persons pre-selected in the process.
  6. In this same sense, reiterating the importance of persevering in the transparency and publicity with which this international competition has been developed, the Council resolves unanimously to hold a special and final session on Friday, December 28, of the currents, in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to interview the five finalist candidates directly and in person.
  7. To ratify the mandate for the members of the Evaluation Sub-Commission, in all that is necessary to continue with this process and to entrust the Executive Secretary with the tasks of coordination and preparation of the Council in Buenos Aires.
  8. Ratify the cooperation agreements signed with the Fundación Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano; Framework Agreement of Cooperation with the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation of the United Mexican States and the extension of the Agreement for the extension of the Program of Strengthening of Criminal Justice to the whole of the Province of Buenos Aires.
  9. To thank the National Judicial Institute (NJI), through the person of Counselor Thomson, for the valuable cooperation provided for the preparation and development of this Board of Directors.
In Santiago on Friday, August 24, the XVII Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) was held at the institution's headquarters, with the participation of the Councilors Jaime Arellano, Germán Garavano , Hebe Martinez, George Thomson and Russell Wheeler. In accordance with the provisions of article 13 of its Statutes 18 and 19 of its Regulations, the following resolutions were agreed:
  1. To thank Transparency International (TI) the presentation of the Global Report on Corruption, made by the President of the Chilean Chapter of said institution, as well as the editions distributed among the members of this Council. It is agreed to study possible ways of cooperation and future joint work between the two institutions and, for the time being, to disseminate in the course of their respective activities the publications that address topics related to transparency, independence and control of corruption in the justice systems, such as the IT Global Report itself and the Report on Justice in the Americas produced by JSCA.
  2. Analyze the incorporation in the 2008 Work Plan of strategic lines that address the prison situation in the Region, considering for this the link in this sector to the work that JSCA has been developing in the judicial systems and, in particular, in the Criminal Justice.
  3. To express its agreement with the account presented by the Executive Director on the progress of the 2007 Work Plan. In turn, the Council welcomes the presentation of the budget statement, thanking once again the renewal of the CIDA project. On this same issue, it decides to commission a study that explores the possibilities of obtaining private funds for JSCA financing or sources other than those that have been accessed to date. Specifically, this study should identify viability in sources and amounts and the most appropriate mechanisms to access them.
  4. Aware of the importance of USAID's contribution to the financing of JSCA activities, this Council wishes to convey its gratitude to the competent North American authorities for the permanent delivery of this contribution and its concern that it will end in October 2008. requests the President of the Council to direct a formal letter for this purpose.
  5. To agree, based on the report commissioned to the executive secretariat, that the members of the Board of Directors will receive a remuneration corresponding to US 150 per attended session. This provision shall take effect as of the next meeting.
  6. Approve the terms of the procedure for the appointment of the Executive Director, annexed to this act, and designate a Sub-Committee that will coordinate the respective process. The Sub-Commission will be integrated by Pdte. of the Board, Jaime Arellano, and by the Directors Lloyd Ellis and George Thomson, thereby seeking a criterion that combines seniority in the Board with geographical representation in the judicial systems of the Region. The aforementioned Sub-Commission will ensure the proper development of this call may extend the terms thereof, always taking into account for this its best achievement.  Agree unanimously that, if there is a need for interim or subrogancy within the aforementioned process, the position of Executive Director will be held by the Academic Director of the Institution.
  7. To designate, by unanimous agreement, the Directors Thomson and Wheeller as representatives of the Board of Directors in the activities required by the Canadian International Development Agency -CIDA- for the development of activities related to JSCA.
  8. To approve the incorporation of IBRAJUS as an associate member of JSCA, requesting the Secretariat to have the pertinent actions to communicate and bring this membership to bear. Likewise, the agreements signed with the following institutions are ratified, namely: Peruvian Association of Legal Sciences and Conciliation (APECC); Institute of Criminal Procedural Science of Peru (INCIPP); Latin American Federation of Magistrates (FLAM); College of Magistrates, Members of the Public Ministry and Officials of the Judicial Branch of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and Chilean Bankruptcy Superintendent.
  9. To convene an 18th Meeting of this Council for the 4th and 5th of December, in the city of Ottawa, Canada. The Secretariat is responsible for the corresponding actions for the proper organization of this meeting.
In Buenos Aires was held on Monday, April 9, the 16th Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA), with the participation of Counselors Jaime Arellano, Germán Garavano, Hebe Martinez and Russell Wheeler. In accordance with the provisions of article 13 of its Statute and 18 and 19 of its Regulations, the following resolutions were agreed:
  1. To thank the Latin American Federation of Magistrates (FLAM) and the Argentine Federation of Magistrates (FAM), for the invitation transmitted to adhere to the activities organized on the occasion of a new convocation of their organizations. Likewise, the Council expressly expresses its gratitude for the coordination and logistical arrangements made by the FAM to host this meeting of the Board of Directors at its headquarters.
  2. To congratulate the Vice President of the Board of Directors, Germán Garavano, for his recent appointment as Prosecutor of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
  3. Express satisfaction with the completion of the Workshop: "The status and future of the Judicial Reform in Argentina and the role of JSCA in it", thanking the full and enthusiastic attendance of representatives of INECIP, UNITED FOR JUSTICE and ARGENJUS, who attended accompanied by its members representing the Federal Board of Courts and Fores.
  4. Approve, unanimously, the account of the Executive Director. In turn, regarding the Quarterly Report submitted, the Director Wheeller requests that the information related to the generation and dissemination of information tools be supplemented, with figures that give an account of the direct and indirect access (via links) to databases. data and other sources of general information, that in matters of Justice, JSCA reports.
  5. Take note of the actions undertaken by the Executive Directorate, with a view to the institutional sustainability of JSCA. In this regard, the Council agrees with the motion for a resolution that will be submitted to the next OAS General Assembly and encourages the Director to define a design to strengthen this work with the main strategic partners of the organization in the region. requesting the formal presentation of a proposal during the next Board meeting. The commitment of all Members is reiterated, for making special efforts in the consultations held for this purpose in their countries.
  6. To be grateful for, and take cognizance of, the reports delivered by the Executive Director and the President of the Council, regarding the former's presentation in the Permanent Council of the OAS and actions taken in the interest of sustainability; and visit of the Councilor Arellano, in the context of the Technical Mission of Haiti chaired by the Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, to Port-au-Prince.
  7. To sanction the report presented by the Executive Secretariat regarding the comparative situation, in similar entities of the inter-American system, regarding the remuneration of executive bodies. The Presidency requests to convert said report into a specific proposal that adjusts to the possibilities and limitations that would exist for the JSCA Directive Council, which should be presented at the next Council session.
  8. Take note of the presentation made by the Executive Secretariat on the functioning of new work tools, to facilitate communications between the Executive Directorate and the JSCA Council.
  9. To approve the report presented by the Executive Secretariat, regarding the general guidelines for the appointment of the next Executive Director of JSCA. It is agreed to enrich, in detail, this proposal for the next meeting of the Board, an opportunity in which an ad-hoc sub-committee may be appointed that establishes the bases and times required for the application.
  10. To ratify the agreements signed with the Ibero-American Association of Public Ministries and the General Council of the Judicial Power of the Kingdom of Spain, as well as those instruments adopted, within the framework of this session of the Council, with the Latin American Federation of Magistrates and the College of Magistrates, members of the Public Ministry and officials of the Judicial Power of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
  11. To call the next meeting of the Board of Directors for the second half of August, for which the Executive Secretary will be responsible for the proper coordination of dates and possibilities with the members of the Board, as well as the contents of the agenda of the aforementioned meeting.