Azerbaijan Programs
Access to Justice and Human Rights
To help alleviate the restrictive climate for journalists and to promote the fundamental human right of freedom of expression, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) helps educate media professionals on their rights and responsibilities. ABA ROLI empowers journalists and bloggers to utilize opportunities for independent reporting and supports a Baku-based media law school to offer training on media law, rights and freedoms, on the legal framework governing new technologies and on effective legal reporting.
Criminal Law Reform and Anti-Human Trafficking
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) strives to strengthen the capacity of Azerbaijan’s criminal defense attorneys to allow them to better serve their clients. ABA ROLI offers seminars to improve the application of the criminal procedure code and to ensure effective advocacy skills. ABA ROLI also provides advocates with the training and tools necessary to protect the interests of defendants in human rights matters within the country’s criminal justice system and in the European Court of Human Rights.
Through its criminal law program, ABA ROLI publishes legal resources, including a translation of all current Azerbaijan-related decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.
Legal Education Reform and Civic Education
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) works with Azerbaijan’s universities to provide support and expertise in developing legal education programs and teaching methodologies, and enhancing curriculum. ABA ROLI is helping Baku State University (BSU) establish a new LL.M. program in maritime and energy law as the country continues to build its position as a major global provider of natural resources. ABA ROLI helps BSU’s law faculty increase its teaching and administrative capacity. We also support strategic planning for new programs and ongoing efforts to develop new curricula. ABA ROLI promotes interactive teaching methodologies and competent application of knowledge and skills, including in environmental protection, energy law and human rights-related cases.
