In 1999, the American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (ABA CEELI) established an office in Pristina to implement a technical legal assistance program in Kosovo. ABA ROLI representatives assessing the status of the post-conflict legal system were some of the first legal advisors on the ground. The ABA established the Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) in 2007 to consolidate its five overseas rule of law programs, including CEELI—which was created in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
In February 2008, Kosovo announced its independence from Serbia. By the end of 2008, 52 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and other European Union members, have recognized Kosovo’s independence. The declaration of independence was passed unanimously by the Kosovar Parliament, which also selected a new flag, showing the shape of the country in gold, on a blue background, with six white stars. On April 9, 2008, Kosovo’s Parliament adopted a new constitution. On June 15, 2008, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo entered into force.
Since commencing its programming in Kosovo, ABA CEELI/ROLI primarily focused on the establishment of basic legal institutions in the post-conflict environment; on the promotion of self-sustaining training for judges, attorneys and prosecutors; and on conducting a war crimes documentation project. ABA ROLI worked on several major projects including:
- Training for all newly appointed judges in Kosovo and the creation of the Kosovo Judges Association in May 2001
- The design of a two-week, intensive course on human rights standards and on Kosovar criminal and criminal procedure laws conducted in Prague
- Capacity building projects with the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and Kosovo Judges Association through the Regional Institution Building Advisor program
- Publication of the Judicial Reform Index (Volume I in 2002, Volume II in 2004, and Volume III in 2007), of the Legal Profession Reform Index (Volume I in 2004 and Volume II in 2007), and of the first Legal Education Reform Index (Volume I in 2008)
- Continuing legal education programs
- Providing legal education and training support for judicial sector professionals to implement strategic reforms in Kosovo’s justice sector
- Addressing common criminal defense needs and foster regional collaboration in the Balkans
- Providing access to justice to communities in Bulgaria, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia
- Supporting the institutional development of the Kosovo Prosecutors Association and providing criminal law practical skills trainings to law students
ABA ROLI’s work in Kosovo focused on legal education reform and civic education, legal profession reform, and access to justice.