ABA Rule of Law Initiative Program Book 2009

Introduction

Since we began our operations nearly 20 years ago, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has remained committed to strengthening legal institutions, to empowering communities and to improving the lives of citizens around the world. Through our overseas network of field offices, we have learned much and we fully appreciate the day-to-day practicalities, as well as the political and other formidable challenges, of implementing international rule of law programs. Still, we remain steadfast in our belief that rule of law promotion is a critical undertaking, one that brings about concrete improvements in the lives of ordinary people, particularly those most in need. 

As you will read in the pages that follow, our programs—which we implement in partnership with host country governments, professional associations, law schools, universities, and a range of civil society and other local organizations—are helping to achieve important and exciting reforms. They help create stronger and more fair and transparent legal institutions, and they promote a better understanding of, and respect for, the rule of law.

In Africa, we endeavor to enhance the capacity of government institutions, non-governmental organizations and legal professionals alike. Our programs help fight the impunity that surrounds systemic rape as a weapon of war, bring together colleagues from throughout the justice system to address human trafficking, advance the skills and integrity of judiciaries, and support former child soldiers in their reintegration into society.

In Asia, our programs are also wide ranging. We work to combat corruption, to empower the legal community to fight extrajudicial killings, to advocate for effective and equitable constitutions, and to pave the way for greater access to justice, especially for women and the poor. 

In Europe and Eurasia, ABA ROLI has initiated and sustained relationships with critical partners, some dating back nearly two decades. These networks allow us to implement programs that help establish women’s bar associations, combat domestic violence, develop legal education programs for secondary school students, and establish broad public outreach initiatives to increase understanding about the importance of the rule of law.

Our programs in Latin America and the Caribbean have focused on anti-corruption, anti-human trafficking and judicial sector reform. By training judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers on international norms of investigative techniques, evidentiary issues and jury trials, we aim to foster a more fair and efficient administration of justice.

And finally, in the Middle East and North Africa, we have built key relationships in justice ministries, law schools and advocacy organizations. These partnerships allow our programs to promote a rule of law culture among the youth, to provide skills-based practical training for judges and lawyers, to develop legal clinics that provide services to those most in need and to establish regional initiatives to support women in the legal profession.

These and the other programs presented in this publication illustrate our continuing belief that rule of law promotion is the most effective longterm antidote to the most pressing problems facing the world today, including poverty, conflict, endemic corruption, and a disregard for human rights. My colleagues and I hope you find these materials useful in our common goal of advancing the rule of law around the world.