Strengthened Rule of Law and Respect for Human Rights Program

After successfully completing a five-year USAID-funded effort to strengthen Nicaragua's public defense and prosecutorial functions, Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc. was awarded a three-year Task Order to expand and deepen reforms in the criminal justice sector and to promote respect for human rights.

The Task Order, awarded in April 2005, focused on increasing access to justice for marginalized groups, strengthening justice sector institutions, and promoting the participation of civil society in the strengthening of the rule of law and human rights.

Major activities included the institutional strengthening of the national Public Defender's Office, Attorney General's Office, Public Prosecutor's Office and the court system.

In addition, the Program helped to establish and strengthen several civil society coalitions to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights. The Program also worked with Nicaraguan law schools in the design of a new standardized curriculum.