Rule of Law Initiative News - August 2007 Archive
Asia News
Initiative Supports Push for Gender Justice in China
In July 2007, Robin Runge, Director of the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, traveled to China to participate in Rule of Law Initiative programs to share lessons learned and advise Chinese courts and advocates on improving judicial and community responses to domestic violence.
Rule of Law Initiative Sponsors U.S.–China Environmental Law Exchange
From the moment they stepped off the plane on June 17, 2007, in Washington, DC, Chinese environmental officials and advocates marveled at the clear air and blue skies overhead. “I knew that the U.S. had good environmental protection, but I didn’t realize just how far China still has to go,” said Xi’an Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) official John Qi.
Europe & Eurasia News
New Commentaries to Armenian Code of Conduct Praised for Setting High Standards
On July 25, the Commentaries to the RA Judicial Code of Conduct were presented at the Court of Cassation of Armenia. The commentaries, which are available in Armenian and English, provide interpretations, explanations, and examples of the rules of judicial ethics that were adopted in 2005.
Kosovo Chamber of Advocates Approves Amendments to Ethics Code
The Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA) Assembly approved the proposed amendments to the Code of Professional Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) for Lawyers and the KCA disciplinary system during its regular annual assembly held on July 7, 2007, in Pristina.
Colloquium Probes Romanian Pretrial Warrant Standards
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (USDOJ/OPDAT), in collaboration with the Rule of Law Initiative’s Romania office, organized a colloquium titled “Pretrial Detention and Search Warrants—Practical Aspects,” on June 6–8, 2007, in Constanta, Romania.
Rule of Law Initiative’s Georgia Street Law Program Celebrates International Children’s Day
On June 1, 2007, the Rule of Law Initiative’s Georgia office, together with administrators from Tbilisi State University, TSU Law Faculty, and the Ministry of Education and Sciences of Georgia conducted a joint street law event to commemorate International Children’s Day.
Georgia Holds First Comprehensive Mock Trials
Georgia’s first ever mock trial with prosecutors, advocates, and judges all participating was held on June 16, 2007, thanks to the efforts of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s Georgia office and the United States Department of Justice Resident Legal Advisor.
Coming to Conclusions on Ukrainian Confiscation Fund for Human Trafficking
The Rule of Law Initiative’s office in Ukraine recently held a final conference for the initial phase of its pilot project on the feasibility of creating a “Confiscation Fund” for human trafficking victims in Ukraine. This project was funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Commission, and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
Banja Luka Law Faculty Live Client Legal Clinic Completed
On June 29, 2007, the closing ceremony of the live client legal clinic took place at Banja Luka Law Faculty. Twenty third-year and fourth-year students offered free legal aid to indigent clients under the supervision of three practicing attorneys. Over a period of nine months, students reviewed almost 65 cases from filed of civil and administrative law.
Final Phases of Anticorruption Draft Law Underway in Bosnia
The final round of “Support for the Implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan of Bosnia & Herzegovina” a project founded by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and implemented by Rule of Law Initiative Bosnia staff, proved to be a major success.
Kosovo Legal Clinic Students Ruled in Several Mock Trials
The University of Pristina Law Faculty Legal Clinic completed its fourth semester with fifty students successfully finishing the course and earning certificates.
Moldova Office Engages Young Adults in Gender Equality Training
In June and July of 2007, the Initiative’s Moldova office conducted two trainings to promote the rights of young women and to inform teens about Moldova’s gender equality law. The law entered into force in March 2006 and is not yet widely known in Moldova. The trainings were held at the Regional Support Centers of Winrock International’s New Perspectives for Women Project in Balti and Soroca in northern Moldova.
Initiative Hosts Charter-Drafting Retreat for Georgia Bar Association
On May 4–6, 2007, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative organized a retreat in Bakuriani for the Ethics Commission of the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The goal of the retreat was to draft amendments to the Code of Ethics for Advocates, the Code of Disciplinary Procedure, the Law of Georgia on Advocates, and the GBA Charter.
Kosovo Judge Delegation on Study Trip to Poland
The study visit of a Kosovo Judges Association (KJA) delegation to Poland, sponsored by a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) training project and implemented through World Learning, took place from June 24 to 29, 2007.
Georgia Moves Forward with Ratification of the UNCAC
What is the purpose of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)? How congruous is Georgian legislation with the UNCAC? What steps could the government of Georgia take to ensure effective implementation of the treaty? The Rule of Law Initiative’s Georgia office, together with the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, discussed these and other questions at a February 23 presentation of the report, The United Nations Convention against Corruption and Georgian Legislation.
ABA Rule of Law Initiative in Moldova Launches Second Judicial Reform Index
The Moldova office launched its second Judiciary Reform Index (JRI) at a program on June 29, 2007, in Chisinau. The Presidents of both the Superior Council of Magistracy and Supreme Court of Justice, as well as the Executive Director of the new National Institute of Justice, all spoke at the program, along with JRI Assessor Thomas Cope and Initiative Country Director Corinne Smith.
Kosovo Law Students Complete Popular Methods Course
Students of the University of Pristina Law Faculty “Legal Methodology II” course were recently issued certificates for regular attendance and completion of the course. The top students received additional books for their quality participation.
Rule of Law Initiative in Kosovo Recognizes Pro Bono Contributors
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative in Kosovo recognized and honored the many volunteers who have contributed to its program success in Kosovo by granting Certificates of Award.
Middle East & North Africa News
Initiative Strengthens Continuing Education in Bahrain
On May 9, 2007, the Rule of Law Initiative hosted an event at the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute (JLSI) with ABA Judicial Education Expert Michael Gallagher in order to promote greater Continuing Legal Education (CLE). The event was for Bahraini private lawyers and focused on developing CLE at the Bahrain Law Society.
Initiative Sponsors Regional Networking for Iraqi Lawyers and Judges
The Rule of Law Initiative recently held a three-day Rule of Law Conference in Amman, Jordan, with support from the British Foreign Commonwealth Office. The goal of the conference was to create an opportunity for judges and lawyers from Basra to network with their colleagues in other countries.
Initiative Oversight of Morocco Clinic Handed to Local University
The Rule of Law Initiative Morocco staff and Embassy Political Officer Craig Karp awarded students of the University of Mohammedia-Hassan II Law School certificates in honor of their achievements for successfully completing coursework on human rights issues and practical legal skills.
Rule of Law Initiative Sponsors U.S. Study Tour for Jordanian Judges
From June 19 to 28, 2007, thirteen Jordanian judges, including the head of the Judicial Institute of Jordan and the two practicing mediation judges in Jordanian courts, traveled to the United States for a study tour focused on alternative dispute resolution. The tour began with an intensive four-day advanced interactive training in mediation, with three experienced U.S. mediators acting as instructors, at the well known Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine University School of Law.
Rule of Law Initiative Leads Freedom of Information Workshops in Bahrain
ABA Consultant and Trainer Mitchell Pearlman, an international expert in the field of Freedom of Information (FOI) law and administration, was posted in Bahrain from May 19 to 30, 2007, at the request of Bahrain Minister of Justice Sheikh Khalifa.
Initiative Organizes Study of U.S. Court Administration for Yemeni Judges
In early July 2007, three members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Yemen spent one week in the United States meeting with judges, court officials, and other experts to enhance their understanding of U.S. systems for court administration. The SJC is the chief administrative body in Yemen that manages every aspect of the judiciary and members are appointed by the President. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative, as implementer of a joint USG-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program, organized the judges’ visit to Washington, D.C., Boston, and Concord, New Hampshire.
Computers to be installed for legal E-learning in Morocco
The Rule of Law Initiative Morocco field staff continue to make headway on the development of the e-learning judicial curriculum on the Moroccan Family Code and International Human Rights.
Lebanese Clinical Education Program Keeps Growing
The Human Rights Clinical Legal Education (CLE) project in Lebanon has continued to make steady progress in curriculum development, despite the somewhat uncertain security situation in the country.
Bahraini Legal Clerks Receive Family Mediation Training
Over the past two years, the Rule of Law Initiative in Bahrain has partnered closely with the Bahrain Ministry of Justice (BMoJ) to help bring about a major change in the way cases are managed and resolved within the Bahraini justice system.
Initiative Receives Awards to Improve Judiciary in Morocco and Algeria
The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) has recently funded a thirteen-month grant for Morocco and a sixteen-month grant for Algeria that began on May 31, 2007. The Legal and Judicial Development awards will build on the Initiative’s previous work creating more accountable, effective, and independent judicial systems in these countries
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