In El Salvador, corruption is pervasive throughout the country and the government. Since suspending constitutional rights under a state of exception last year, along with the dismantling of democratic institutions including its Supreme Court, President Nayib Bukele has concentrated power in the executive branch, reducing transparency and accountability, while undermining human rights and basic freedoms. This new socio-political reality in El Salvador poses even further challenges to the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of corruption and other related crimes. Funded by US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), ABA ROLI is leading a new program, the Pilot Anti-Corruption Complaint Mechanism (PACCM), to combat corruption and illicit financing to strengthen democratic institutions, advance the rule of law, and reduce transnational crime in El Salvador.
Pilot Anti-Corruption Complaint Mechanism Program
The program has three goals:
- To create a secure platform for receiving and referring cases to institutions that fight corruption;
- To educate citizens about how to fight corruption; and
- To decrease corruption-related impunity in El Salvador.