Rule of Law Initiative and UNICEF Conduct Child Justice Training in Liberia

To improve the Liberian judicial system's capacity to address special issues surrounding the country's youth offenders, the Rule of Law Initiative’s Africa Division, with the support of UNICEF, conducted a week-long training workshop on child justice issues in Monrovia from February 19 - 23, 2007.

Asian Lawyers and Judges Meet to Discuss Ways to Combat Corruption in Justice Sector

In partnership with the Lawyers Council of Thailand (TLC), the Asia Division of the Rule of Law Initiative co-hosted a conference entitled “Anti-Corruption: The Role of Lawyers, the Bar and the Bench in Preventing and Combating Corruption Within the Justice System,” on Feb. 19 - 20, 2007, at the U.N. Conference Centre in Bangkok.

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ABA President Meets Japanese Counterpart in Tokyo

In late February, ABA President Mathis met with her counterpart, President of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations Seigoh Hirayama, to exchange ideas on ways the two bars can work together.

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Rule of Law Initiative Convenes Bar Leadership Roundtable in Bangkok

In February, bar leaders from 15 countries convened in Bangkok to discuss their activities and exchange thoughts on how to work more closely together to strengthen lawyers and bar associations across the Asia region.

Mock Jury Trial Aired in Kazakhstan

To educate Kazakhstani citizens on the recent introduction of jury trials in Kazakhstan, the Rule of Law Initiative and the Kazakhstan Judicial Assistance Project partnered to produce a 55-minute mock jury trial that was aired nationwide.

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Georgia Moves Forward with Ratification of the U.N. Convention Against Corruption

On February 23, 2007, at the First Republic Hall of the Parliament of Georgia, the Rule of Law Initiative and the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia presented a new Rule of Law Initiative report on the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Georgian legislation.

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Rule of Law Initiative Rolls Out Pre-Trial Detention Pilot Project in Ukraine

On February 20, the Rule of Law Initiative hosted a roll-out event and roundtable discussion dedicated to the results achieved in its Ukraine Pre-Trial Detention Pilot Project, funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

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Raising Awareness About Jury Trials in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, where the Parliament is considering a draft law introducing jury trials in compliance with the new constitution, the Rule of Law Initiative has produced and has begun broadcasting a documentary and a series of Public Service Announcements intended to raise public awareness about the benefits of trial by jury.

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A New Generation of Advocates Leaves Mark on the Armenian Bar

On March 17, the Rule of Law Initiative's Armenia office observed elections for the Board and the Disciplinary Commission of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.

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• Bosnian Lawmakers Participate in Corruption Prevention Study Tour in Slovenia
• Ukraine Launches Counter-Human Trafficking Project and Diversifies Funding Sources
• Traveling Lawyers Program Launched in Azerbaijan
• Jury Trial Training as Kazakhstan Conducts First Ever Jury Trials
• Advocacy Skills Training in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Promoting the Freedom of Information Act in Serbia
• Rule of Law Initiative Rolls Out Four New Alphabet Of Law Election Spots in Armenia
• Rule of Law Initiative Unveils Case Management System Software Designed for Georgian Ministry of Justice
• Seizing Opportunities to Advance Judicial Independence in Serbia
• Rule of Law Initiative Co-Sponsors Organized Crime Course for Bulgarian Prosecutors
• Rule of Law Initiative Signs Memorandums of Understanding with the Law Faculty of Pristina

Helping Ecuador Modernize Its Criminal Justice System

The Rule of Law Initiative has recently started a criminal justice reform project in Ecuador to promote ongoing criminal justice system reforms and to train prosecutors, judges and national police to work in a mixed accusatorial and inquisitorial justice system.

Legal Education Workshop Held at Oman College of Law

On March 25, 2007, in Wattaya, Oman, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative conducted a workshop on the importance of legal education for professors at the Oman College of Law. The workshop was part of the Oman College of Law’s continuing effort to develop a new curriculum to enhance the practical skills of its graduates.

Asia Division Hires New Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor

The Asia Division has hired Andy Boname as its new Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor, succeeding Charles Caruso in the position, which is based in Bangkok, Thailand. Although this is his first position with the Asia Division, Andy is not new to the Rule of Law Initiative, having previously worked as a CEELI criminal law liaison in Bosnia-Herzegovina (March 2000-May 2001). Between his tours with the ABA, Boname has worked as a regional coordinator for the Criminal Justice Advisory Unit attached to the UN Mission in Bosnia, as well as Chief of Party on two USAID projects in Bosnia.

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Europe and Eurasia Director Rob Leventhal volunteers at Jessup International Moot Court and International Law Students Association Annual Meeting

On March 26-27, EE director Rob Leventhal volunteered as a judge for the international rounds of the Jessup International Moot Court. On March 29, Leventhal also presented as a panelist in an ABA Section of International Law session on Pathways to Employment in International Law as part of the International Law Students Association annual meeting. For more information, please contact Europe and Eurasia Director Rob Leventhal, at <rleventhal@staff.abanet.org>.

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Rule of Law Initiative Officially Registers as NGO in Russia

We are pleased to announce the official registration of the Rule of Law Initiative's Moscow office. The requirement for NGOs to register under a new government entity was enacted by legislation passed in Spring 2006, and our successful application will allow the Rule of Law Initiative's Russia Program to move forward with planned programming for 2007. For more information, please contact Diane Scott, at <dscott@staff.abanet.org>.

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Michael Maya and Robert Leventhal Participate in Draft Review of USAID Anti-Corruption and Police Integrity Program

Rule of Law Initiative Deputy Director Michael Maya and Europe and Eurasia Director Robert Leventhal participated in a March 20 review session of a draft Program Brief on Anticorruption and Police Integrity, at the invitation of USAID, which had commissioned the document.

• Olga Ruda and Simon Conté Represent Rule of Law Initiative in Review of Commentary on Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct
• Morocco Staffers Earn Spots in Top Fellowship Programs
  
• Ukraine Office Welcomes New Staff Members
• Olga Ruda Participates in World Bank Workshop on Justice Sector Assessment

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