Rule of Law Initiative News - March 2007 Archive
ABA Consolidates International Rule of Law Programs Into Single Entity- the ABA Rule of Law Initiative
Read letter from Hon. Sandra Day O'Connor and Roberta Cooper Ramo announcing the creation of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative.
Africa News
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.
Asia News
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.
ABA President Karen Mathis Signs Agreement with Chinese Bar in Beijing
ABA President Karen Mathis, Asia Division Chair Laura Stein, and Asia Division Council Member Yabo Lin, traveled to Beijing in December 2006 on behalf of the Rule of Law Initiative. While in Beijing, President Mathis and her counterpart at the All China Lawyers Association (ACLA), Yu Ning, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining ways that the two bar organizations can work together, exchange information, jointly host events, and facilitate international visits.
Addressing Violations of Indigenous Peoples' Land Rights in Cambodia
In Cambodia, the Rule of Law Initiative is addressing a growing problem – violations of indigenous people’s land rights. As the economy revives after years of war and uncertainty, indigenous people are being evicted from their land to make way for development projects through large land concessions to private companies.
Europe & Eurasia News
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.
Rule of Law Initiative Granted Observer Status at European Commission for Efficiency of Justice
The Rule of Law Initiative is pleased to announce that it was granted observer status at the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) as of December 2006.
Celebrating 10 Years of Law Reform Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In February, the Europe and Eurasia division of the Rule of Law Initiative (CEELI) hosted a reception that celebrated the 10 year anniversary of its legal reform program in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The event drew former and current partners and staff, including the Mission Director of USAID BiH, the president of the Court of BiH and the presidents of the BiH High Judicial Council.
Rule of Law Initiative Trains Over 50% of all Prosecutors in Serbia on New Criminal Procedure Code
A three-day seminar held in Belgrade in early February marked the close of the first round of training for prosecutors throughout Serbia on the Criminal Procedure Code.
U.S. Ambassador Celebrates Fifth Year Anniversary of Moldova's Traveling Lawyer Program
Since 2001, the Traveling Lawyers Program has provided free legal services to approximately 15,000 people in villages throughout Moldova.
Ukraine Program Takes Lead in Donor Coordination of Anti-Corruption Activities
As part of a revived Anti-Corruption Coordination Initiative (ACCI), on December 7, 2006, the Rule of Law Initiative held the first of what will be regular monthly donor coordination meetings in Kyiv. Representatives from over 25 international organizations and NGOs, including funders from the U.S. Embassy, USAID, Council of Europe and the European Commission, attended the meeting.
Law Students from Armenian Legal Clinics Participate in Winter School
From January 25-28, 46 Armenian law students gathered in Tsakhkadzor for a winter school organized by the Europe and Eurasia division of the Rule of Law Initiative (CEELI).
Georgian Association of Inspectors General Holds Strategic Planning Session
The strategic planning session in January, facilitated by Ludmila Ungureanu of the RADA Institute, helped Georgia's first inspectors general association articulate its mission, vision and goals.
Rule of Law Initiative Helping to Launch First Women's Bar Association in Azerbaijan
The establishment of Azerbaijan's first Women's Bar Association is nearing completion with the backing of the Rule of Law Initiative and the financial support of USAID.
Kosovo War Crimes Documentation Project Remains Relevant in Current War Crimes Cases in The Hague
On February 20-21, Patrick Ball, co-director of the War Crimes Documentation Project implemented by both CEELI and the Human Rights Data Analysis Group in 1999-2002, testified for the prosecution in the Milutinovic trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague.
Rule Of Law Initiative Partner In Ukraine Wins Workers' Rights Victory at European Court of Human Rights
A Rule of Law Initiative advocacy partner and two Ukrainian workers seeking months of unpaid salary from a former employer celebrated a long-awaited court victory this past December at the European Court of Human Rights.
Latin America & the Caribbean News
Ecuador Program Helps Train Anti-Trafficking Task Force to Rescue and Treat Trafficking Victims
A task force composed of Ecuadorian Judicial Police, prosecutors, and a women’s shelter, all of whom have received training from the Rule of Law Initiative’s Project to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Ecuador, has worked together to crack down on brothels fronting as hostels and dance clubs, resulting in the rescue of trafficking victims and the shuttering of the offending establishments.
Middle East & North Africa News
Rule of Law Initiative's Iraq Legal Development Program Wraps Up Judicial Reform Program
The Rule of Law Initiative’s Iraq Legal Development Program (ILDP) recently wrapped up a major judicial reform program in Iraq. Two of the elements of the project were to carry out a Judicial Reform Index in Iraq, and to provide support for the formation of a new, independent association for judges.
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.
Jordan's First Judicial Mediation Project Celebrates Milestone
In January 2007, the Rule of Law Initiative’s Jordan office conducted an initial evaluation of Jordan’s first judicial mediation project, which was launched on June 1, 2006.
Staff News
Wendy Patten Participates in OSCE Alliance Expert Consultation Team on Trafficking in Persons
The OSCE Alliance Expert Consultation Team, which serves as an expert advisory group to the OSCE Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, met on February 2 at the Hofburg in Vienna. Wendy Patten, director of Research and Program Development, serves on the expert advisory group and participated in the meeting. This session was the first meeting with the new Special Representative, Eva Biaudet, of Finland. Participants are drawn largely from intergovernmental organizations, including UNICEF, ILO, OHCHR, UNHCR, COE, the European Commission and various OSCE entities. Several NGOs, including the Rule of Law Initiative, are also members of the expert group.
Asia Division's Stephanie Le Joins D.C. Staff
Stephanie Le began working at the Rule of Law Initiative in January, and serves as the Program Associate for the Asia Division's Cambodia and Vietnam programs. Stephanie previously served as the interim executive director of the Vietnamese Association of Illinois, and as the director of outreach for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Moldova Legal Assistant Dina Mocan Selected to Participate in Human Rights Training Program in Sweden
The Moldova program is pleased to announce that Legal Assistant Dina Mocan has been chosen to participate in a regional program on women's rights. The program will be held in Sweden and is sponsored by the Raul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Mocan is one of 25 participants from Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Central Asia selected in a competitive process for the two-phase, month-long program. Dina joined the office in 2005 as an intern after winning a law student writing competition on women's rights sponsored by the Moldova office in Chisinau. After her study in Sweden, she will apply her training by conducting an educational project to advance the rights of young Moldovan women.
Rule of Law Initiative Hires New Outreach Assistant, Nicholas Marwell
The Rule of Law Initiative has hired Nicholas Marwell as its new outreach assistant. Nicholas previously worked as a photo editor for The Associated Press, and as business development manager for new media at the international photojournalism agency Magnum Photos. You can reach Nicholas at marwelln@staff.abanet.org or 202-662-1982 with media inquiries, website issues and other outreach questions or concerns.
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