Rule of Law Initiative Programs - Algeria

Judicial Reform:

Training for Algerian Judges

The ESM, the institution responsible for training all Algerian judges, has been one of the ABA's main partners in Algeria to date, cooperating on an institutional capacity-building program. Specifically, programs have addressed judicial independence and ethics, training ESM faculty, and issues of specific interest to the faculty and students, such as cyber-crime and freedom of expression.  In January 2006, the ABA hosted a workshop on judicial independence and judicial ethics at the ESM and the Court of Oran, training student and practicing judges at both locations. 

In April, 2006, the ABA held two training workshops on the growing and critical problem of cyber-crime in partnership with the ESM and the Algerian Lawyer’s Association. In June, 2006 the ABA organized a series of workshops on the theme of freedom of expression and the judiciary. The events were planned and carried out with the partnership of the ESM, the Algerian Lawyer’s Association, and the National Syndicate of Algerian Journalists. These training activities, held for trainee and sitting judges, and members of the press, emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the role of the judiciary in its protection, and promotion. 

The ABA has also worked with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Algerian Judges Syndicate on issues of judicial ethics, and has provided technical assistance in the promulgation of a draft code of judicial conduct.  Currently, a code of judicial ethics for judges has been drafted and is pending adoption by Algerian judicial authorities. In May, 2006, the ABA organized a series of workshops and conferences on judicial ethics for lawyers, judges, and trainee judges. The events were planned and carried out with the partnership of the National Syndicate of Judges, the Ministry of Justice, the ESM, and the Algerian Lawyers Association. The workshops raised awareness on the challenges of implementing a code of ethics and educated the participants on the benefits of such codes.

Most recently, the ABA conducted a series of workshops for, lawyers, judges, journalists, and civil society members on their respective judicial and legal reform priorities for the coming year, working with them to draft action plans for their reform objectives.

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative's work in Algeria is funded by the US Department of State Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative.