Human Rights
As a condition of spending funds for its Merida Initiative package of military and economic aid, the State Department had to submit a plan for how these funds would be spent.
The State Department must submit to Congress a written determination that Mexico's human rights performance is improving according to several measures. Submission of this report frees up military assistance to Mexico.
By August 8, 2009, the Secretary of State must submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations detailing actions taken by the Government of Mexico since June 30, 2008, to investigate, prosecute, and punish violations of internationally recognized human rights by members of the Mexican Federal police and military forces, and to support a thorough, independent, and credible investigation of the murder of American citizen Bradley Roland Will.
A report "on the status of reform activities in Colombia funded or authorized, in whole or part, by the Department of State, USAID or DoD, to promote alternative development, the recovery and resettlement of internally displaced persons, judicial reform, the peace process and human rights."
Describes the State Department's process for vetting potential trainees from Mexico and Central America
Describing "any relationships between foreign governments or organizations and organizations based in Colombia that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations under United States law," and U.S. "policies that are designed to address such relationships."
Country-by-country reports submitted to Congress by the Secretary of State on the actions taken by the U.S. Government to encourage respect for human rights.
The State Department's certification that Honduras is implementing policies to protect freedom of expression and due process, and investigating and prosecuting human rights abuses in the civilian justice system. This certification frees up 20 percent of U.S. security assistance to Honduras.
International Narcotics Control aid to Bolivia was held up until the State Department issued this certification that the country's military was respecting human rights, and that past abuses were being investigated and prosecuted with the military's cooperation.
A quarterly report that, while duplicating some information about these three programs available elsewhere, provides valuable new details.