News
Successful Reform Efforts Underway in the Russian Far East
The Vladivostok office of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative has launched several successful initiatives over the past few months with USAID support. Having the advantage of being a small office in the biggest and one of the most progressive cities of the Russian Far East, the office has managed a series of innovative projects that have created avenues for legal and social progress. Read more »»
Pilot CLE Project Begins in Russia as ABA ROLI Welcomes New Country Director
In fall 2007, ABA Rule of Law Initiative launched a pilot continuing legal education project in Russia as part of a joint partnership with the bar to increase the professionalism and education of the country’s advocates. Together, ABA ROLI and the Krasnoyarsk Chamber of Advocates designed a three phase “Training of Trainers” program to develop a core group of professional trainers. Read more »»
Innovative Program Helps Combat Human Trafficking by Fostering International Cooperation
A new ABA Rule of Law Initiative program will focus on increasing mutual legal assistance between Ukraine and its neighbors Poland, Russia, and Turkey—the top three destination countries for Ukrainian victims of human trafficking. The program, called “Strengthening Capacities in Mutual Legal Assistance to Counter Human Trafficking in Ukraine,” is funded by the Royal Danish Embassy in Ukraine and will be jointly implemented with the International Organization for Migration. Read more »»
Programs
Anti-Corruption
Given Russia's vast size and complexity, projects that target local and regional corruption issues are often more successful, and individuals at this level are often more open to change, than projects at the national level. The Rule of Law Initiative is implementing seminars in each of Russia's federal districts, targeted to the areas specific needs. Read more »»
Criminal Law Reform Program
The ABA's Criminal Law Reform Program in Russia focuses on combating human trafficking; promoting fair and identical implementation of the criminal procedure code; strengthening the institution of the defense bar; implementing an indigent defense project; and training legal practitioners on jury trials and international human rights standards, with a special focus on pre-trial detention issues. Additionally, the Rule of Law Initiative is conducting regional trainings throughout Russia on effectively dealing with local corruption issues at the regional and municipal levels. Read more »»
Gender Program
The ABA's Gender Justice Program seeks to improve the social and legal status of women throughout Russia. It focuses on the needs of women, men and families in crisis by educating local NGO's, judges, law enforcement and other governmental entitles on strategies to combat gender discrimination and prejudices; domestic violence; trafficking in persons; and how to achieve gender equality and integrate international and national standards on women's human rights into Russian politics and practices. Read more »»
ABA Russia - Moscow Office
10/1 Mantulinskaya Street
Moscow, 123100, Russia
Phone/Fax: +7 (495) 605-5795
Email: office@abamos.ru
ABA Russia - Vladivostok Office
3A Sukhanova Str., Office 507
Vladivostok, 690091, Russia
Phone: +7 (4232) 43-26-35
Fax: +7 (4232) 43-13-92
Email: postd@staff.abanet.org
Background
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, formerly ABA-CEELI, initiated its Rule of Law program in Russia in 1992 with the placement of its first liaison in Moscow, adding its Criminal Law Reform Program in 1995. Significant projects have included: assisting in the reintroduction of jury trials in Russia; assisting in drafting a new criminal procedure code based on select adversarial principles; founding clinical legal education programs throughout Russia and publishing Russia's first clinical legal education textbooks; providing training to social advocates to assist victims of domestic violence; and assisting in adoption of judicial and legal profession codes of ethics.
Currently, Rule of Law programs focus on providing legal professionals with access to trainings on Russian legislation and legal mechanisms; promoting access to justice and legal counsel; supporting bar association development; and encouraging gender justice, as mandated by Russian legislation. The Criminal Law Reform program supports the development of legal aid programs; provision of continuing legal education (CLE) for criminal defense attorneys; and provides access to information and practical skills trainings on anti -trafficking in persons and anti-corruption efforts.
Meet Our Staff
Arina Khitrina, Staff Attorney in Vladivostok, joined the ABA Rule of Law Initiative in May, 2006. As a staff attorney, Arina Khitrina assisted with setting up the ROLI branch in Vladivostok, and now works on all programming in that office, including Gender Equality, Human Trafficking, Advocacy, and Bar Association Development issues. Read more »»
