Click here to watch the 8-minute clip In the Philippines, as in many countries, criminal prosecutions against human traffickers can be lengthy and often lack appropriate remuneration for survivors. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law’s Development Foundation and with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been working to promote civil-asset forfeiture as a swifter and surer remedy. This strategy involves bringing civil lawsuits under the 2001 Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) to seize assets either used in, or purchased with the proceeds of, human trafficking. For those unfamiliar with the act though, pursuing such lawsuits—which involves filing a complaint with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which in turn files for a freeze-and-seize order before a judge—can be a complex and daunting process.Read more »» ABA ROLI in the News: Peruvian Program to Support the Criminal Justice Sector
Peru News Agency ABA ROLI has launched a new program in Peru to help with justice system modernization efforts. Our work will strengthen Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) implementation in various jurisdictions, including in Lima and two other regions. From September 24–28, we conducted the first in a series of five-day-long oral trial skill workshops. Peruvian Minister of Justice and Human Rights Eda led the inauguration ceremony, accompanied by U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Michael J. Fitzpatrick and ABA ROLI Peru Country Director Raul Callirgos. These important CPC reforms will accelerate the adjudication process for criminal cases. Through this workshop and similar activities, justice sector leaders will be introduced to oral trial skills to familiarize them with the new protocols, as well as to give them tools to excel within the new system. This work is funded by the U.S. Department of State. (view in Spanish) DRC Mobile Gender Courts Nominated for Award 
Allafrica.com USAID Ethiopia Joins ABA and AAU Law School in Launching First Law Textbooks in 40 Years
USAID Ethiopia College Starts Courses for Lawyers, Legal Professionals
The Gulf Times Strengthening Panama's Judicial System
Voice of America | The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) organized a two-day trial advocacy workshop for Belarusian lawyers in August. About 20 lawyers and advocates took part in the workshop, which focused on effective client representation and covered opening and closing arguments, direct- and cross-examinations, and case analysis. Held in Minsk, the workshop is part of a legal capacity building program that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor supports. Read more »» Judicial training institutes in the Gulf face myriad challenges. Many have very small permanent staff and face constant challenges in recruiting qualified instructors to teach judges, prosecutors and lawyers. In September, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), in partnership with the Bahrain Ministry of Justice, sponsored a workshop for directors and key staff from judicial institutes in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Read more »» In July and August, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) developed and conducted a course on Ukraine’s new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) for advocates in five regions of the country. A total of 178 advocates attended the trainings held in Kharkhiv, Alusta (Crimea), Kyiv, Kherson and Rivne. Read more »» In December 2010, Professor Alpha Condé was sworn in as Guinea’s first democratically elected president after a succession of authoritarian governments, whose leaders suppressed opposition and entrenched corruption and impunity. This leadership legacy has created a vast gap between the rich and the poor, eroded public trust in state institutions and contributed to a range of ethnic tensions—which threaten Guinea’s stability. Read more »» From August 20–23, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) brought 15 Russian lawyers on a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded study tour to Chicago. The lawyers, who lead continuing legal education (CLE) trainings in Russia, met with their American counterparts and discussed strategies for improving CLE regulatory frameworks, emerging trends in continuing education, accreditation, the use of technology, marketing strategies and the differing needs of new and experienced attorneys. Read more »» |
