The ABA Rule of Law Initiative is a public service project of the American Bar Association dedicated to promoting rule of law around the world. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative believes that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the pressing problems facing the world community today, including poverty, economic stagnation, and conflict.
Program News and Updates
Secretary Clinton, Ambassador Verveer Discuss Women’s Rights in Azerbaijan
During her official visit to the region, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with members of Azerbaijan’s Women’s Bar Association (WBA) and congratulated them on their achievements. The WBA focuses on promoting gender equality by educating rural and underserved populations and on fostering a pro bono culture within the legal profession, efforts that Secretary Clinton commended. Read more »»
Delegation Launches Program, Meets with Mexican Partners
To mark the launch of a new ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) program in Mexico, a delegation led by Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge Carlos Lucero of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit visited Mexico City in mid-June. Read more »»
Anti-Human Trafficking Workshop Hosted in Jordan
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s (ABA ROLI’s) Jordan program convened a training workshop to examine issues related to trafficking in persons (TIP). The two-day workshop, hosted in July, attracted about 30 lawyers, along with Ministry of Justice officials and members of Jordan’s Public Security Department. Read more »»
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From Monitoring to Reform: Boosting Global Civil Society
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Forensics Workshop for Public Defenders held in Armenia
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Journalists and Activists Trained on Reporting on Anti-Corruption Issues
Click here for a list of countries in which we work.
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| Rule of Law in Timor Leste is a comprehensive evaluation of progress in East Timor’s justice system following the 1999 vote for independence and the subsequent violence surrounding democratization efforts. | The Kosovo Legal Profession Reform Index is an assessment of legal profession reform efforts aimed at establishing a more ethical, effective and independent legal profession. Available in English, Albanian & Serbian. |
| Click here to see a comprehensive list of our publications. | |
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Program Areas
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative works in seven major program areas:










