Rule of Law Initiative News - July 2007 Archive
Asia News
Rule of Law Initiative Completes Assessment in East Timor
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s Research and Development Office recently completed a rule of law assessment of East Timor’s justice sector. The assessment team included international and Timorese representatives from the Washington, DC and East Timor offices of the US Agency for International Development and the Australian Agency for International Development.
Europe & Eurasia News
Serbia Hosts Conference on the Independence of Judiciary and the Challenges of Transition
On June 2, 2007, the Judges’ Association of Serbia (JAS) and the Prosecutors’ Association of Serbia organized and hosted an International Conference titled “Independence of Judiciary and Challenges of Transition.” The conference, funded in part by the ABA Rule of Law Initiative in Serbia, took place at the Belgrade Palace of Justice.
Rule of Law Initiative Trafficking Project in Ukraine holds Roundtable on Asset Confiscation
On June 4, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s Ukraine Project on Confiscation Fund for Human Trafficking, a project funded by International Organization for Migration in Ukraine, organized a working roundtable on the “Application of Asset Confiscation as a Punishment in Human Trafficking Cases” in Kyiv.
Young Serb Jurists Assemble for Inaugural Roundtable on the Legal Profession in Kosovo
The Rule of Law Initiative and the Committee for Women and Minorities of the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates recently hosted a seminar titled “Entering the Legal Profession in Kosovo.” The seminar, held on June 23, 2007, attracted many Serb law graduates living in eastern Kosovo.
Rule of Law Initiative Civics Books Have Major Impact in Kosovo Classrooms
An April 2007 survey of primary and middle school teachers and Ministry of Education officials in Kosovo reveals that the three ABA Rule of Law Initiative-funded books introduced into schools last December have become valuable tools for civics teachers throughout Kosovo.
Kosovo President Attends Rule of Law Initiative Conference on Bench and Bar Organizations
On June 13, 2007, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu joined leading law and government figures in Prishtina to open “The Role of Bench and Bar Organizations in Promoting the Rule of Law in Kosovo,” a conference co-sponsored by the Rule of Law Initiative with support from US Agency for International Development. The conference was the culmination of several bench-bar roundtables held in Kosovo over the last year, and was organized in partnership with the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and the Kosovo Judges Association.
Serbia Office Releases Freedom of Information Act Assessment
On June 7, 2007, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative released its assessment of Serbia’s law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance (FOIA) at an event held at the SAVA Center in Belgrade. Julia Roig, country director of the Rule of Law Initiative's Serbia office, opened the roll-out ceremony, which included comments by staff attorney Damir Milutinovic and Serbia’s Public Information Commissioner.
Roundtable Recommendations Prompt Increase of Fees for Ex-officio Lawyer Services in Kosovo
Kosovo government authorities recently increased ex-officio lawyers’ monthly fee for their services from 250 EURO to 500 EURO - doubling the original fee amount. This decision follows significant pressure mounted by Kosovo judges and lawyers both individually and through their membership organizations, the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and the Kosovo Judges Association. The goal was to secure decent compensation for ex-officio lawyers for their legal services.
Ukraine Office Uses Innovative Means to Teach Human Rights Law
On June 17, 2007, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative concluded its fourth professional development training for lawyers from its partner advocacy organizations and legal clinics in Ukraine. Twenty-nine pro bono attorneys and clinicians attended the three-day training focused on Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Regional Criminal Justice Initiative Holds Training on Combating Organized Crime in Bulgaria
Between June 18 and 22, the ABA's Regional Criminal Justice Initiative held the 5th round of its "Enterprise Theory of Investigation and the Use of Sophisticated Techniques in Combating Organized Crime" training course at the National Police Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Rule of Law Initiative’s Ukraine Office Hosts Justice Sandra Day O’Connor for Rule of Law and Public Integrity Symposium
Retired United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor delivered the keynote address at the Rule of Law and Public Integrity Symposium. The symposium was held on Monday, June 11, 2007, in Kyiv, Ukraine. The symposium focused on the public integrity of governmental institutions entrusted with advancing and enforcing the rule of law in Ukraine.
Kosovo Women Share Experience & Advice at Conference on Women in Law
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative, together with the Committee for Gender and Minorities of the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates, recently hosted the “Women in Law in Kosovo” conference, a one day event that offered a unique forum to discuss obstacles and challenges for women in the legal sector.
Rule of Law Initiative's Romanian Office Coordinates Final Report on Domestic Violence in Romania
The project "Domestic violence", carried out over the past two years with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was completed on April 30th, 2007.
The First Public Defender’s Office in Former Soviet Union Opens in Armenia
On June 29, 2007, the Armenian Bar and ABA Rule of Law Initiative celebrated the grand opening of the Public Defender’s Office of the Armenian Bar – the product of a year-long effort by the two organizations. Representatives from various local and international organizations, including the Ministry of Justice, the US Agency for International Development, the Armenian judiciary, the prosecutor’s office, and the media joined the public defenders for the celebration.
Latin America & the Caribbean News
US State Department Honors Rule of Law Initiative-trained Ecuadorian Prosecutor
The State Department recently honored Lucy Blacio, a veteran of several ABA Rule of Law Initiative trainings, by naming her a 2007 Hero Acting to End Modern-Day Slavery. Blacio, an Ecuadorian prosecutor, is one of eight worldwide heroes named in the 2007 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.
Middle East & North Africa News
Training Sessions for Women Legal Professionals in Lebanon and Algeria
The Lebanon Hub of the Arab Women’s Legal Network (AWLN), sponsored two training events recently in Beirut. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative has been supporting the development of the AWLN and its associated national-level hubs since 2004.
Arab Women’s Legal Network Holds General Meeting in Amman
The Arab Women’s Legal Network (AWLN) held its Third Annual General Meeting in Amman, Jordan from June 13 -15, 2007. Officially launched in July 2005, the Network receives technical assistance and capacity-building support from the ABA’s Rule of Law Initiative.
Jordanian Minister of Justice Participates in Summer Practicum Graduation Ceremony
On Thursday June 14th, 2007 His Excellency the Minister of Justice Sharif Al Zu’bi distributed certificates to 32 students from Jordan University and Yarmouk University to mark the completion of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's two week intensive training course on practical legal skills.
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