[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31628-31629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14614]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10457]


Certification Pursuant to Section 7045(a)(4)(B) of the Department 
of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
2017

    By virtue of the authority vested in me as the Secretary of State, 
including pursuant to section 7045(a)(4)(B) of the Department of State, 
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act 2017 (Div. 
J, Pub. L. 115-31), I hereby certify that the central Government of 
Guatemala is taking effective steps, which are in addition to those 
steps taken since the certification and report submitted during the 
prior year, to:
    <bullet> Work cooperatively with an autonomous, publicly 
accountable entity to provide oversight of the Plan;
    <bullet> Combat all forms of government and international agency 
corruption and impunity when credibly alleged;
    <bullet> Implement reforms, policies, and programs to improve 
transparency and strengthen public institutions, including

[[Page 31629]]

increasing the capacity and independence of the judiciary and the 
Office of the Attorney General;
    <bullet> Implement a policy to ensure that local communities, civil 
society organizations (including indigenous and other marginalized 
groups), private sector, faith-based organizations, 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;
    <bullet> Counter the activities of criminal gangs, drug 
traffickers, and organized crime;
    <bullet> Investigate and prosecute in the civilian justice system 
government personnel, including military and police personnel, who are 
credibly alleged to have violated human rights and to ensure that such 
personnel are cooperating in such cases;
    <bullet> Cooperate with commissions against corruption and impunity 
and with regional human rights entities;
    <bullet> Support programs to reduce poverty, expand education and 
vocational training for at-risk youth, create jobs, and promote 
equitable economic growth particularly in areas contributing to large 
numbers of migrants;
    <bullet> Implement a plan that includes goals, benchmarks, and 
timelines to create a professional, accountable civilian police force 
and end the role of the military in internal policing, and to make such 
plan available to the Department of State;
    <bullet> Protect the rights of all citizens, including protection 
of freedom of the press;
    <bullet> Increase government efficiencies, including implementing 
tax reforms and strengthening customs agencies to promote a more stable 
economy and job creation;
    <bullet> 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, 2018.
Michael R. Pompeo,
Secretary of State.
[FR Doc. 2018-14614 Filed 7-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-29-P