[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 45593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16679]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9634]


Certification Pursuant to Section 7045(a)(3)(B) of the Department 
of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
2016 (DIV. K, Pub. L. 114-113)

    By virtue of the authority vested in me as the Deputy Secretary of 
State by Department of State Delegation of Authority 245-1, and 
pursuant to section 7045(a)(3)(B) of the Department of State, Foreign 
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 (Div. K, Pub. 
L. 114-113), I hereby certify the central government of Guatemala is 
taking effective steps to:
     Establish an autonomous, publicly accountable entity to 
provide oversight of the Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the 
Northern Triangle of Central America (Plan);
     combat corruption, including investigating and prosecuting 
government officials credibly alleged to be corrupt;
     implement reforms, policies, and programs to improve 
transparency and strengthen public institutions, including increasing 
the capacity and independence of the judiciary and the Office of the 
Attorney General;
     establish and implement a policy that local communities, 
civil society organizations (including indigenous and other 
marginalized groups), and local governments are consulted in the 
design, and participate in the implementation and evaluation of, 
activities of the Plan that affect such communities, organizations, and 
governments;
     counter the activities of criminal gangs, drug 
traffickers, and organized crime;
     investigate and prosecute in the civilian justice system 
members of military and police forces who are credibly alleged to have 
violated human rights, and ensure that the military and police are 
cooperating in such cases;
     cooperate with commissions against impunity, as 
appropriate, and with regional human rights entities;
     support programs to reduce poverty, create jobs, and 
promote equitable economic growth in areas contributing to large 
numbers of migrants;
     establish and implement a plan to create a professional, 
accountable civilian police force and curtail the role of the military 
in internal policing;
     protect the right of political opposition parties, 
journalists, trade unionists, human rights defenders, and other civil 
society activists to operate without interference;
     increase government revenues, including by implementing 
tax reforms and strengthening customs agencies; and
     resolve commercial disputes, including the confiscation of 
real property, between U.S. entities and such government.
    This certification shall be published in the Federal Register and, 
along with the accompanying Memorandum of Justification, shall be 
reported to Congress.

    Dated: June 28, 2016.
Antony J. Blinken,
Deputy Secretary of State.
[FR Doc. 2016-16679 Filed 7-13-16; 8:45 am]
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