http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/roli_logo_rss.jpg 224 125 http://www.abarol.org/ The Rule of Law Initiative is a public service project of the American Bar Association dedicated to promoting rule of law around the world. The Rule of Law Initiative believes that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the pressing problems facing the world community today, including poverty, economic stagnation, and conflict. en Copyright 2008 Tue, 05 Jun 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_drc_combating_the_rape_crisis_0509.shtml In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the incidence of rape and other forms of violence against women is among the highest recorded anywhere in the world. Gender-based violence (GBV) is particularly acute in North and South Kivu provinces in war-torn eastern DRC. Assailants include armed militias who use rape as a weapon of war, as well as members of the national army and police. Increasingly, they also include civilians. The rape epidemic has claimed victims ranging in age from 3–75 years. <hr /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/update/images/luncheon_ad_09.jpg" align="left" hspace="3" alt="2009 ABA Rule of Law Luncheon and Awards Ceremony" border="1" /> </a> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cambodia_team_reaches_semis_law_student_competition.shtml A team from the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia reached the semi-finals of the 2009 International Client Counseling Competition, a prestigious international law student tournament held in the Las Vegas, Nevada, in April. Tue, 02 June 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_china_association_for_ngo_cooperation_promotes_discussion_0509.shtml Since April 2008, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the China Association for Non-Governmental Organization Cooperation have held a series of discussions among non-governmental organization (NGO) advocates, government officials and scholars on legal issues related to the development and operation of NGOs in China. A February 21 discussion focused on the NGO registration process. Tue, 02 June 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_azerbaijan_trial_advocacy_training_in_nakhchivan_0509.shtml In February 21–22, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) trained lawyers in trial advocacy skills in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan is isolated geographically and ABA ROLI is the only U.S. government–funded non–governmental organization with consistent programming in the region. Tue, 02 June 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_women_law_student_association_launched_0509.shtml The University of Pristina Law Faculty, with ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) support, launched the Women Law Students' Association (WLSA) in Kosovo. The organization is the first of its kind in the country. The 22 students who attended the launching event committed to volunteer their time to develop the association. Tue, 02 June 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ee_legal_aid_clinic_launched_in_transnistria_0509.shtml On April 29, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) launched its first legal aid clinic in Tiraspol at the Moscow Academy of Law & Economics. ABA ROLI funds the clinic's operations, while the academy provides space and facilities. Tue, 02 June 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_panama_podcast_culture_of_lawfulness_program_0509.shtml In seeking to promote a culture of lawfulness, the program works to encourage respect for the rule of law and for fundamental human rights both by the government and by society as a whole. More specifically, the program works to bolster the culture of lawfulness among police and other law enforcement agencies, to increase Panamanian citizens' confidence in their justice sector. <hr /> Tue, 02 June 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_liberia_mediation_training_video_0409.shtml Since 2006, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in Liberia, through its U.S. Agency for International Development-supported access to justice program, has offered mediation skills trainings. About 1,100 Liberian elders, town chiefs, non-governmental organization representatives, lawyers, youth and women's group leaders participated in the trainings. <hr /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/images/luncheon_ad_09_small.jpg" align="left" hspace="3" alt="2009 ABA Rule of Law Luncheon and Awards Ceremony" border="1" /> </a> Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_china_anti_domestic_violence_network_training_0409.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the China Anti-Domestic Violence Network trained more than 100 police officers and anti-domestic violence advocates from 18 Chinese cities about police response to domestic violence. The two training programs, which were held between February 12 and 15, were followed by a police-trainers' training on February 16. The trainings focused on concrete skills police can employ in responding to domestic violence calls. Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ukraine_public_defenders_offices_help_women_0409.shtml Oleksandra Kyrychenko is the head of the Union of Veterans at the Lyutens'ki Budyshcha Village Council, Poltava region, Ukraine. A highly respected and popular elderly woman, men and women in her village look up to Oleksandra for her leadership. Her life, though, was quite a challenging journey. For many years, Oleksandra returned home not knowing how she would be greeted by her husband or even where she would be spending the night. Due to her abusive relationship with her husband, she often fled to her sister's home. When she had all but given up, a seminar on legal protection for rural populations, which she attended at the invitation of her friend, Hanna Skarha, renewed her hope. <hr /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/images/luncheon_ad_09_small.jpg" align="left" hspace="3" alt="2009 ABA Rule of Law Luncheon and Awards Ceremony" border="1" /> </a> Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_mentoring_program_female_law_students_0409.shtml The Gender and Minorities Committee of the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA), with the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI's) support, launched its women in law mentoring program in an April 8 event, which connected 25 female lawyers, prosecutors and judges with 25 female law students enrolled at the University of Pristina's master's degree program. The mentoring program will support and encourage women who are planning to enter the legal profession. Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_turkmenistan_pro_bono_legal_service_helps_family_0409.shtml With the support of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), legal aid clinics continue to improve people's lives. Had it not been for the legal aid clinic in Lebap, Tangriov Halbay's family would have been separated, with its members on either side of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border. <hr /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/images/luncheon_ad_09_small.jpg" align="left" hspace="3" alt="2009 ABA Rule of Law Luncheon and Awards Ceremony" border="1" /> </a> Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kyrgyzstan_atc_officially_registered_0409.shtml The Advocates Training Center (ATC) in Kyrgyzstan was officially registered as a public foundation with the Ministry of Justice in December 2008. The ATC, with the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI's) support, has been providing training to licensed advocates since last July. ABA ROLI, in partnership with the Centre Prava public foundation, provides funding and material support to the ATC. The ATC has so far offered seven continuing legal education (CLE) trainings to 190 advocates. Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_albania_judicial_reform_index_released_0409.shtml On April 10, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) released the fourth volume of the Judicial Reform Index (JRI) for Albania at the Magistrates' School in Tirana. The release event, which featured presentations by High Court Judge Arjana Fullani, U.S. Agency for International Development Albania Mission Director Roberta Mahoney and ABA ROLI assessor Kathy Ladun, was broadcast on major Albanian radio and television stations. <hr /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/luncheon/images/luncheon_ad_09_small.jpg" align="left" hspace="3" alt="2009 ABA Rule of Law Luncheon and Awards Ceremony" border="1" /> </a> Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_panama_culture_of_lawfulness_program_0409.shtml As Panama takes its initial steps toward implementation of an accusatorial criminal justice system, it confronts a series of challenges. Citizen distrust of justice sector institutions is one challenge. According to a 2006 Inter-American Development Bank survey, 46% of Panamanians believe that the justice system fails to punish criminals. Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cambodia_lawyers_defend_land_case.shtml The Public Interest Legal Advocacy Project (PILAP) team's perseverance and commitment to the Kong Yu land case continues to set the standard for land rights advocacy in Cambodia. The case arises from a purportedly illegal transfer of 450 hectares of indigenous peoples' land from ethnic Jari villagers in OÝadou district to Keat Kolney, Senior Minister Keat Chhun's sister. The PILAP team worked with villagers to file civil and criminal complaints in January 2007. <hr /> <a href="https://abanet.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d4Q6EGQ3iSa0pq4&SVID=Prod"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/survey_banner_rss.gif" align="left" alt="Survey" /> </a> Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cambodia_second_client_counseling_competition.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) held the second annual client counseling competition for Cambodian law schools on January 22–23. The competition, which was held at the Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh and focused on negligence and related torts, featured 10 teams from six schools. Build Bright University, Cambodia Mekong University, Norton University, Pannasastra University of Cambodia, University of Cambodia and Royal University of Law and Economics competed for the honor of national champion. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org//rol/news/news_china_pro_bono_expert_experience.shtml During a December 2008 visit to China, the chair of the American Bar Association's (ABA's) Standing Committee on <em>Pro Bono,</em> Mark Schickman, offered his professional expertise and gained new insights about the Chinese legal community. <hr /> <a href="https://abanet.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d4Q6EGQ3iSa0pq4&SVID=Prod"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/survey_banner_rss.gif" align="left" alt="Survey" /> </a> Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ukraine_roundtable_addresses_legal_education_reform.shtml Mykola Siryy, senior researcher at the Korets'ky Institute of State and Law, believes that the whole legal system of a country is in danger if legal education, legal practice or legal thought does not function properly. During a recent roundtable, many experts stated that the legal education system in Ukraine does not adequately prepare students for the challenges and demands of a modern and competitive society governed by the rule of law. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_personal_data_protection_training.shtml In January 2009, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) organized a two-day training for the Serbian Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Rodoljub Sabic, and his staff. Well-respected Slovenian experts, Natasa Pirc Musar, Slovenian commissioner of information, and Antrej Tomsic, Slovenian deputy commissioner of information, conducted the training. Musar's lecture focused on legal matters pertaining to personal data protection (PDP), while Tomsic's lecture focused on the information technology aspects of PDP, including biometry, video surveillance and other technical issues. <hr /> <a href="https://abanet.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d4Q6EGQ3iSa0pq4&SVID=Prod"> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/survey_banner_rss.gif" align="left" alt="Survey" /> </a> Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_armenia_legal_clinic_website.shtml On January 26, 2009, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in Armenia launched the country's first website for legal clinics. Thanks to efforts by ABA ROLI's legal education reform team, Armenian legal clinics, law students, professors and the public are able to obtain information on the clinics' activities, on <em>pro bono</em> legal services and on legal career opportunities electronically. The website also offers online legal consultations for Armenian citizens. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_drc_aba_roli_expands_programming.shtml The Dutch government recently awarded the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) a $5.2 million grant that will dramatically expand its work on combating gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Currently, ABA ROLI programming on gender-based violence in North Kivu Province is supported by a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) grant, while the three-year Dutch grant will expand the program to Maniema Province. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_vietnam_national_bar_association.shtml On December 4–5, 2008, ABA Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI's) Vietnam Country Director Allison Moore presented at a conference entitled, "Legal Development in East Asia: China-Vietnam Compared." The event was co-sponsored by the University of Hong Kong and Monash University. Participants included scholars, lawyers and development professionals. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_judicial_stakeholders_case_weighting_conference.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), in cooperation with the Judges Association of Serbia (JAS), successfully organized a video conference on case weighting in Belgrade's Sava Center on January 16. Case weighting is a critical tool for determining how many judges are needed in the court system and for apportioning cases among judges. Topics discussed included how case weighting is applied and an overview of two different methodologies for developing a case weighting system. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ukraine_competition_increases_practical_legal_skills.shtml In Ukraine, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) hosted the third annual national client counseling competition for law students between November 30 and December 1. The competition, which ABA ROLI has supported since 2006, used to be held in Ostroh. The 2008 competition was held in Kyiv to accommodate the growing number of participating law schools and was more visible, benefiting from sponsorship by leading law firms, legal organizations and members of the legal community Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_law_day_celebration.shtml On January 16, the president of Kosovo, the Kosovo minister of justice, and more than 500 people joined the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) to celebrate Law Day. ABA ROLI Country Director David Sip moderated the ceremony, held at the Youth Center Red Hall. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_mexico_aba_roli_delegation_visit.shtml American Bar Association (ABA) President Tommy Wells and an accompanying delegation from the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) visited Mexico City to convey ABA support for the ongoing criminal justice reforms occurring there, and to express ABA ROLI's willingness to provide technical assistance. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_qatar_international_law_school_assessment.shtml At the invitation of Qatar University, ABA ROLI conducted a comprehensive assessment of the sole law school in Qatar. The State of Qatar is committed to modernizing its entire educational system to lay the groundwork for a rigorous economic infrastructure as it continues to expand its global influence. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news-mainpage.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_china_domestic_violence_study_released_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="175" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> On December 10, China's Anti-Domestic Violence Network (Anti-DV Network) released the initial findings of China's first study working directly with domestic violence survivors to identify areas in social and advocacy services that are in need of improvement. The study is part of a broader program, supported by the Anti-DV Network and the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), to increase strategic multi-agency coordination in providing support services to domestic violence survivors. The results provide insights about the formal and informal channels domestic violence survivors utilize for support and where additional resources are needed to improve services for survivors. <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_china_domestic_violence_study_released.shtml">Read more </a></p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b> Other Stories </b> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_philippines_small_claims_courts_feature.shtml">Multimedia Spotlight: Small Claims Court in the Philippines</a> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/icon_audio_clip.gif" alt="Multimedia" width="32" height="17" align="absmiddle" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_china_pro_bono_expert_participates_in_roundtable.shtml">ABA <em>Pro Bono</em> Expert Participates in China Roundtable</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_research_voter_registration_book.shtml" target="_blank">Voter Registration Chapter Penned by ABA ROLI Experts</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_armenia_gsu_fifth_anniversary.shtml">Armenia's Gavar State University's Legal Clinic Celebrates Fifth Anniversary</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_azerbaijan_women_bar_association_success.shtml">Azerbaijan Women's Bar Association Dreams of Success</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_prishtina_law_school_introduces_new_courses.shtml">The University of Prishtina Law School Introduces New Courses</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_jas_officially_joins_medel.shtml">Judges' Association of Serbia Officially Joins Association of European Judges</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ecuador_criminal_justice_reform_support.shtml">Ecuadorian Criminal Justice Reform Efforts Marked by Renewed Support</a></p> <hr /> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/update/update_november_2008.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kosovo_first_legal_education_reform_index_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="175" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) presented the findings of its first Legal Education Reform Index (LERI) assessment for Kosovo on October 22 at the Grand Hotel in Pristina. The ABA ROLI-developed LERI is a tool for examining a nation's legal education system and monitoring progress towards establishing a legal education system that meets international standards. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b> Other Stories </b> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_philippines_small_claims_courts_efforts.shtml">ABA ROLI's Philippines Small Claims Courts Efforts Well Received</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_jordan_hosts_acjls_headquarters.shtml">Kingdom of Jordan to Host the Arab Council for Judicial and Legal Studies' Headquarters</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_liberia_alternative_dispute_resolution.shtml">Alternative Dispute Resolution Work Continues in Liberia </a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_georiga_aba_roli_study_tour_for_judges.shtml">ABA ROLI Sponsors U.S. Study Tour for Georgian Judges</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_bahrain_law_office_management_training.shtml">Law Office Management Training for Bahraini Lawyers</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ukraine_anti_trafficking_convention.shtml">Convening Anti-Human Trafficking Experts from Ukraine, Russia and Moldova </a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kyrgyzstan_criminal_procedure_code_analysis.shtml">ABA ROLI Coordinates Analysis of Kyrgyz Criminal Procedure Code</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_lebanon_second_annual_moot_court_competition.shtml">Lebanese Law Students Participate in Second Annual Moot Court Competition </a></p> <hr /> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_philippines_aba_combats_extrajudicial_killings.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI's) Philippines office will sponsor its second and third regional conferences on extrajudicial killings and confronting impunity. These conferences are part of a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to help reduce the politically–motivated assassinations of opposition leaders, labor organizers, farmers' advocates, journalists and others who are deemed a threat to local and national officials. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cameroon_first_tip_training.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_cameroon_first_tip_training_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Since the passage of a 2005 anti-trafficking in persons (anti-TIP) law, the Cameroonian government has stepped up its efforts to investigate and prosecute criminals involved in human trafficking rings. And yet, many actors in Cameroon charged with overseeing anti-TIP efforts lack sufficient knowledge about the phenomenon or about the 2005 law to effectively combat these crimes. The focus of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI) efforts in Cameroon is to address this lack of capacity by training an array of anti-TIP actors. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cambodia_national_mock_trial_competition.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_cambodia_national_mock_trial_competition_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> On September 3–5, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI's) Cambodia program hosted its second annual mock trial competition at the University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. The competition featured teams from five Cambodian law schools, each competing for the honor of being crowned national champion. The students performed as defense attorneys, witnesses and prosecutors in a case involving a stolen purse. The teams presented their cases to a panel that included local Cambodian judges and international lawyers. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_philippines_small_claims_court_establiished.shtml In mid-September, the Philippines Supreme Court formally approved the small claims court rules and procedures that ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) staff helped to draft. The adoption of these rules and procedures will establish a new branch of the courts, which will be of considerable benefit to Filipino citizens and the court system alike. Due to the serious and debilitating backlog of civil cases in the Philippines, citizens must often wait years to resolve basic litigation. With the creation of the small claims court, minor disputes will be adjudicated much more quickly and the poorest Filipinos will experience greater access to justice. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_armenia_pro_bono_legal_clinic.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_armenia_pro_bono_legal_clinic_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The opening of Yerevan's first <em>pro bono</em> legal clinic proved worthy of celebration on September 2, with representatives from the Armenian government and judicial system, law schools, nongovernmental organizations, international donor institutions and the media in attendance. The clinic, which is housed at Open University's law school, will provide free legal services to economically and socially vulnerable groups in Armenian society. Outreach efforts will focus on connecting with refugees and with victims of political violence. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_ethics_code_proven_effective.shtml Reports of ethics violations by attorneys in Kosovo have increased dramatically in less than a year, yet—thanks to the new disciplinary system—the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA) has been efficient in resolving these cases. The recently-implemented ethics code and disciplinary system for attorneys and non-professional members of the legal community have increased the ability of the public to report abuses and the KCA's ability to effectively investigate and respond to those accusations. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative's legal specialists and other staff helped to draft the ethics code and to create the disciplinary system, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ecuador_promoting_robust_accusatorial_system.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) continues its multi-disciplinary approach to promoting improved understanding of the accusatorial system in Ecuador. More than 200 representatives from the prosecutor's office, the National Judicial Council and the judicial police in Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil attended three conferences held in August. The event was part of a series of conferences to better prepare judges, prosecutors and police for participation in oral trials, as mandated by the <em>Criminal Procedure Code of 2000</em>. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_mexico_audio_htat_assessment.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/icon_audio_clip.gif" align="absmiddle" /> Gretchen Kuhner, an expert on trafficking and migrant rights, talks about implementing ABA ROLI's Human Trafficking Assessment Tool in Mexico. She shares insight into the methodology of the tool and the assessment process. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_jodran_yarmouk_university_adr_course_launch.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_jodran_yarmouk_university_adr_course_launch_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> On September 18, Yarmouk University, one of the largest and oldest universities in Jordan, launched an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) course for undergraduate and graduate law students. The course, developed with ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) support, reflects the university's commitment to modern and practical legal curricula. ABA ROLI's work in Jordan has included efforts to build consensus around the need for legal education that better prepares students for the job market. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_lebanon_students_advance_human_rights.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_lebanon_students_advance_human_rights_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> After a successful inaugural year, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and La Sagesse University in Beirut recently celebrated their jointly administered Human Rights Clinical Program by hosting a public forum for students to showcase their work. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ecuador_audio_criminal_justice.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_ecuador_caruso_audio_criminal_justice2_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Charles Caruso, Director of ABA ROLI's Criminal Justice Project in Ecuador, discusses the reforms of Ecuador's criminal justice system and the resulting practical and theoretical implications as well as the importance of creating a sustainable, cooperative foundation of justice for the future. <p> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/icon_audio_clip.gif" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/audio/ecuador_caruso_sustainability.mp3" target="_blank">Download Criminal Justice Reform in Ecuador</a> <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/icon_audio_clip.gif" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/audio/ecuador_caruso_transition.mp3" target="_blank">Download Sustaining Reform Efforts in Ecuador</a> </p> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ecuador_money_laundering_conference.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_ecuador_money_laundering_workshop_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Greater cooperation and broader communication were the key themes at a four–day conference publicizing the expanded role of the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (Financial Intelligence Unit) as an active investigative unit responsible for analyzing potential cases of corruption and money laundering in Ecuador. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ecuador_puerto_rico_study_tour.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_ecuador_puerto_rico_study_tour2_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) continues to aid the Ecuadorian legal community in its changeover from an inquisitorial to an accusatorial (or adversarial) legal system. Toward this end, ABA ROLI sponsored a study tour to Puerto Rico for members of Ecuador's Consejo Nacional de la Judicatura (National Judicial Advisory Committee), Ministerio Publico (Prosecutor's Office), and Policia Judicial (Judicial Police). Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_attorneys_represent_clients_before_eu_court.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_serbia_attorneys_represent_clients_before_eu_court_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Since the ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights in March 2004, the European Court of Human Rights has dismissed nearly 50 percent of the 2,729 submissions brought against Serbia. Of those submissions on which the Court did make a ruling, only 16 were upheld as violations of the Convention. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_professional_cooperation.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kosovo_professional_cooperation_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> On June 19 and 20, former American Bar Association (ABA) President Michael Greco visited Kosovo to participate in roundtable discussions hosted by the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in cooperation with its local partners the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA), the Kosovo Judges Association and Pristina University's law faculty. The discussions, which included participants from each partner organization, addressed legal education and the regulation of the bench and the bar in the country. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kyrgyzstan_street_law_success.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kyrgyzstan_street_law_success_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The street law program in Kyrgyzstan is one-of-kind. In addition to having taught more than 7,000 young people about their legal rights as citizens, ABA ROLI's street law program has dramatically affected those young people who chose to participate in the program. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_human_trafficking.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kosovo_human_trafficking_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), the United States Department of Justice and the ABA Section on Litigation recently conducted a 2-day advocacy skills workshop for Kosovo judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police and others involved in the prosecution of human trafficking cases. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_georgia_lawyers_help_ensure_fair_elections.shtml On May 14, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) hosted an event to present a manual entitled Election Law Manual for Lawyers which can be used to train lawyers to identify, investigate and litigate election related disputes. ABA ROLI, in cooperation with the National Democratic Institute, the Center for the Protection of Constitutional Rights (CPCR) and the Georgian Bar Association, trained more than 80 lawyers representing various political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_georgia_anti_domestic_violence_manual.shtml Across the world—even in those nations where the rule of law is seemingly strong—millions of women and children lack basic human rights within their own homes. In many cases, the systematic denial of rights for women begins with an unresponsive judiciary that is either unwilling or unable to provide strong legal protections to victims of abuse. Even in cases where women's rights are ostensibly protected, legislation specific to the issue of domestic violence is often lacking. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_russia_krasnoyarsk_continuing_legal_education.shtml With every lawyer in Russia now required to take 20 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) each year, there is an emphasis on developing that nation's capacity to conduct CLE training and on spreading the word about CLE to remote areas such as Siberia. Along with the Krasnoyarsk Regional Chamber of Advocates and the Federal Chamber, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative's (ABA ROLI's) Moscow office continues its work to improve Russian lawyers' practical skills training. Together, the partners established the CLE Center for Attorneys in January 2008. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_georgia_lpri_rollout_2008.shtml The Georgia LPRI Volume II assesses the state of the legal profession in Georgia as of November 2007. It is based on a series of 24 factors that address a wide range of issues including professional freedoms and guarantees education, training, and admission to the legal profession and conditions and standards of practice. The LPRI's findings highlight the rapid changes that are taking place within the legal profession in that country. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_elearning_program.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_serbia_elearning_program_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) recently introduced an online continuing legal education program for attorney trainees in Serbia. The pilot program was the first of its kind in the nation and it offered legal coursework online from December 2007 through April 2008. The program was designed by ABA ROLI and then implemented in cooperation with the Niš Bar Association and the Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) in Belgrade. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_philippines_forensics_training.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_philippines_forensics_training_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> In an effort to encourage Filipino prosecutors to think critically about how physical evidence can be used to build stronger cases in court, Peruvian forensic anthropologist Dr. Jose Baraybar conducted a three–day forensics seminar for experienced prosecutors as part of the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) project to curb extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_lebanon_audio_bridging_social_divisions.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_lebanon_audio_bridging_social_divisions_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Aline Matta, Director of ABA ROLI"s programs in Lebanon, narrates the story of how students in their final year of law school started out somewhat cynical and ended up, through their clinical experience, becoming devoted advocates for social justice and the rule of law. <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/audio/lebanon_clinic.mp3" target="_blank">Download Audio</a> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/audio/lebanon_clinic.mp3" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/icon_audio_clip.gif" align="absmiddle" /></a> Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_china_environmental_public_participation.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_china_environmental_public_participation_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> From April 15 to 28, representatives from five U.S. environmental institutions visited China with the help of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative to work closely with their Chinese counterparts on local projects to increase public participation in environmental decision-making in China. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_china_defense_lawyers_training.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_china_defense_lawyers_training_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> ABA ROLI and the Criminal Law Committee of the All China Lawyers Association have launched China"s first on-line skills training courses for criminal defense lawyers. These courses will target lawyers in western China, where barriers of distance and geography have isolated lawyers from the training resources and other professional development opportunities available in more developed areas, and hindered the development of a strong criminal defense bar. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_armenia_first_legal_writing_textbook.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_armenia_first_legal_writing_textbook_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Yerevan State University Law School with ABA ROLI's assistance has developed and published Armenia's first textbook on Legal Writing and Analysis. The textbook is intended for practical use and may serve as a guide for the instruction of writing and document drafting rules. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_new_legal_ethics_handbook.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kosovo_legal_ethics_handbook_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The ABA Rule of Law Initiative has published the first Ethics Handbook for Kosovo Law Students. The publication is intended to be used by law faculty professors, students, and experts engaged in ABA ROLI's Legal Clinics. The Handbook also includes A Survey of Ethics in the Legal Professions; Hypothetical Legal Ethical Dilemmas; and a Mock Trial Case Involving Legal Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_misdemeanor_survey.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_serbia_misdemeanor_survey_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> In March 2008, Belgrade's Media Center, the Association of Magistrates of the Republic of Serbia, and ABA Rule of Law Initiative organized the roll-out of the Economic Aspect of Misdemeanor Court Survey. The results of the survey demonstrated that if properly applied, the misdemeanor court could have contributed 48.6 million Euros to the State Budget in 2006. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_changing_ethics_code.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kosovo_cle_roundtable_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> The Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA) and ABA ROLI is organizing a series of Continuing Legal Education Roundtables on Attorney Ethics and the Disciplinary System in Kosovo. Through these roundtables Kosovo attorneys will have the necessary information and training on the most recent revisions made to the Attorney's Ethics Code and KCA's Disciplinary System. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cambodia_international_legal_competition.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_cambodia_international_legal_competition_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> ABA ROLI sponsored Cambodia's first law student participation in an international competition. Two Cambodian law students, accompanied by a Cambodian Bar Association coach and a Royal University of Law and Economics faculty representative, competed in the International Client Counseling Competition held this year at the National Law School, Bangalore, India. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kyrgyzstan_new_criminal_procedure_code.shtml In February 2008, ABA ROLI conducted a four-day training event at Hotel Raduga on Lake Issyk-kul, along with the German Association for Technical Cooperation, the US Department of Justice, and the Judicial Training Center of the Kyrgyz Republic. The training event focused on pre-trial detention procedures in criminal cases and was one of the first training events in Kyrgyzstan that ABA ROLI has participated in that included defense attorneys as well as judges and prosecutors as participants. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_russia_far_east_reform.shtml The Vladivostok office of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative has launched several successful initiatives over the past few months with USAID support. Having the advantage of being a small office in the biggest and one of the most progressive cities of the Russian Far East, the office has managed a series of innovative projects that have created avenues for legal and social progress. Fri, 16 May 2008 13:56:19 GMT http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_law_students_complete_simulation_clinic.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_kosovo_law_students_complete_simulation_clinic_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" />Sixty law students at the University of Pristina completed the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's Simulation Legal Clinic this semester. The clinic is designed to help students gain practical skills needed upon becoming practicing lawyers. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_liberia_new_judicial_training_institute.shtml As part of a long term strategy for improving the administration of courts and the provision of justice in Liberia, the Liberian Supreme Court has selected the ABA Rule of Law Initiative to plan and develop a new Judicial Training Institute for judges, lawyers, and court personnel. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_bulgaria_pri_leads_to_policy_action.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_bulgaria_pri_leads_to_policy_action_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" />After ABA ROLI published its Prosecutorial Reform Index in Bulgaria, Prosecutor Velchev created the Prosecutorial Reform Index Committee tasked with considering the recommendations of the PRI and soliciting feedback from prosecutors and other relevant actors in structuring a three-year strategy or "roadmap" of reform. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_mena_new_mou_algeria_qatar.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative has bolstered its partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa region by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with key partners in Qatar and Algeria. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_moldova_first_domestic_violence_law.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_moldova_first_domestic_violence_law_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" />On March 11, Moldova enacted its first legislation to protect women from domestic violence. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative provided key commentary and input to strengthen and improve the law during the drafting phase. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_third_jri_launched.shtml On March 12, 2008, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative hosted an event introducing the third volume of the Kosovo Judicial Reform Index. Approximately 150 representatives from the government, media, international community, and non-governmental organizations attended the event. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_jordan_asu_adopt_practical_legal_curriculum.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/news_jordan_asu_adopt_practical_legal_curriculum_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" />Following the March 2007 Conference on Upgrading Legal Education, ABA ROLI has been working with a committee of professors from several Jordanian universities to develop courses in "Legal Research and Writing," and "Legal English." http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_audio_independence.shtml <img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/kosovo_independence_day_2008_thumb.jpg" align="left" width="90" hspace="3" alt="image" border="1" /> Kosovo Country Director David Sip details how the fact of independence has affected ABA ROLI's work in Kosovo, and how legal education and profession reform programs there are focusing on maintaining cohesion between ethnic Serbs and Albanians. <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/audio/kosovo_independence_2008.mp3" target="_blank">Download Audio</a> <a href="http://www.abanet.org/rol/audio/kosovo_independence_2008.mp3" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.abanet.org/rol/images/icon_audio_clip.gif" align="absmiddle" /></a> http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_drc_gender_violence_program_receives_govt_support.shtml Mathieu Ndong-Koni became Country Director of the new ABA Rule of Law Initiative office in Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2008. He leads the effort to establish a program to give survivors of sexual violence access to justice and to fight the impunity of offenders. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_cambodia_first_client_counseling_competition.shtml On February 28-29, 2008, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative held the first Client Counseling Competition in Cambodia's history. Teams from five Cambodian law schools competed for the honors of national champion. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_russia_pilot_cle_project_begins.shtml In fall 2007, ABA Rule of Law Initiative launched a pilot continuing legal education project in Russia as part of a joint partnership with the bar to increase the professionalism and education of the country's advocates. Together, ABA ROLI and the Krasnoyarsk Chamber of Advocates designed a three phase “Training of Trainers” program to develop a core group of professional trainers. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_kosovo_chamber_of_advocates_assessment_report.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative published the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates' Organizational Assessment Report in January 2008. This new assessment report details the KCA's strengths in certain areas —including administration, project design implementation, and reliable partnerships — but also reveals that many are frustrated with the KCA's work as an advocate for lawyers in Kosovo. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_ukraine_conference_on_bar_unification.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative conducted a conference in Ukraine on the difficult issue of the unification of the legal profession and creation of an independent, self-governing Ukrainian Bar Association. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_serbia_schools_take_ownership_of_internship_program.shtml After three years, 11 rounds and more than 1700 law school students, the Court Internship Program, a joint program of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative and the Young Lawyers of Serbia, has become a part of the curriculum in three Serbian law schools. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_azerbaijan_ed_ministry_hosts_street_law_kickoff.shtml In early 2007, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Education welcomed the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's Public Legal Education program staff, school teachers, principals, representatives of the Baku City Department of Education, and over 75 law students to kick off the second phase of the 2007-2008 Public Legal Education Program. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_armenia_aba_roli_help_with_elections.shtml Following the February 2008 elections, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, with funding support from Counterpart International, worked to build public confidence in Armenia's laws and institutions, and to provide an election hotline offering legal assistance in case of election-related problems and irregularities. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news_serbia_combating_financial_crime.shtml In February 2008, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative completed the last of four financial crimes training seminars for prosecutors and law enforcement officials throughout Serbia. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_lebanon_law_students_teach_human_rights.shtml In February, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, in collaboration with Amnesty International and the Arab Institute for Human Rights, organized a two-day workshop at La Sagesse University for eleven law students who have been selected to work on public education projects. http://www.abanet.org/rol/news/news_morocco_judges_meet_european_counterparts.shtml The ABA Rule of Law Initiative continued its work to build the institutional capacity of the Moroccan judges' association, the Hassania, through a four-day study tour in The Hague and Leiden in the Netherlands on January 21-24, 2008.