News
Criminal Law Encyclopedia Published in Moldova
While Moldova amended its Criminal Code in 2009, legal professionals did not have a resource providing comprehensive analysis of the updated code. To fill this gap and to help enhance legal professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the code, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) supported the publication of a criminal law encyclopedia. Read more »»
Training on Working with Victims of Torture Held in Moldova
In April 2009, crowds of Moldovans protested what they believed to be a fraudulent parliamentary election. The large gatherings in Chisinau led to wide-spread beatings and mass arrests by law enforcement. In response, a group of public attorneys sought to represent those beaten during the protest and to file criminal charges against the offending police officers. Throughout the process, the attorneys faced significant procedural barriers. Read more »»
Women Lawyers Discuss Gender Inequality in Moldova’s Legal Profession
Women attorneys in Moldova face significant gender discrimination in their profession. Examples of unfair treatment of women lawyers at the hands of male lawyers and clients are rife. A female defense lawyer lost a male client after he claimed the case was “too complex,” requesting a male attorney instead. Read more »»
Programs
- Criminal Law
Reform and
Anti-Human Trafficking - Legal Education
Reform
and Civic Education - Legal
Profession
Reform - Women's
Rights
Criminal Law Reform and Anti-Human Trafficking
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s (ABA ROLI’s) criminal law program in Moldova works to ensure that the country’s criminal attorneys are fully trained in practical legal issues and human rights protections, that the Moldovan Bar Association has the capacity to adequately represent the interests of Moldovan attorneys, and that Moldovan criminal law legislation is in line with international standards. Therefore, ABA ROLI provides practical legal skills education for law students and young lawyers, training on the European Convention on Human Rights and operating a mock trial program. ABA ROLI provides institution-building assistance to the Moldovan Bar Association and continues to provide commentary to draft criminal laws and amendments.
In recent years, ABA ROLI helped develop and support legal clinics in Balti, Cahul, Comrat, Tiraspol and Parkani that provide students with practical skills to complement their university legal education. These clinics also provide the public with much-needed access to scarce legal services. Read more »»
Through its advocacy network in Moldova, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative supports improved participation in the justice system and makes high quality free legal services available to people in need. This network is composed of four student legal clinics (see Legal Education Reform ), the Traveling Lawyer Program and specialized NGOs Read more »»
ABA Rule of Law Initiative published and launched the CEDAW Assessment Tool Report for Moldova and took part in a wide range of activities to publicize it. The report measured the degree to which Moldova's laws promote and protect the rights of women, as required by the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the degree to which women are accorded these rights in practice. Read more »»
Publications
- Moldova Bar Association Organizational Assessment (September 2010). Also available in Romanian
- Recommendations to the Moldova Union of Lawyers Regarding Continuing Legal Education (September 2010). Also available in Romanian
- Recommendations to the National Institute of Justice Regarding Curriculum Development and Training Delivery (September 2010). Also available in Romanian
- Judicial Reform Index for Moldova, Volume III (June 2009). Also available in Romanian
- Legal Profession Reform Index for Moldova, Volume II (April 2009). Also available in Romanian
- Know Your Rights Brochure on Inheritance, Romanian version (March 2009)
- Know Your Rights Brochure on Land Lease, Romanian version (March 2009)
- Human Trafficking as Seen by Children (March 2009)
- Know Your Rights Brochure on Elections, Romanian version (February 2009)
- Practical and Legal Remedies for Victims of Domestic Violence, Romanian version (February 2009). Also available in Russian
- Legal Remedies for Women and Children from Social Vulnerable Categories, Romanian version (January 2009). Also available in Russian
- Child Protection Brochure
57/1 Banulescu-Bodoni str. 3rd Floor, office 325 2005, Chisinau, Moldova
Phone: +373-22-23-89-34,+373-22-23-89-35
Fax: +373-22-23-48-73
Email address: office@abaroli.md
Background
The Europe and Eurasia Division of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, founded in 1990 as ABA-CEELI (Initiative), launched its program in Moldova in 1993 with the placement of a rule of law liaison in the capital, Chisinau. The Initiative began its Criminal Law Reform Program in Moldova in 1999.
The Initiative helped to establish key NGOs that have enhanced the skills of Moldova's legal professionals and increased the scope and quality of justice available to the public. Its Rule of Law program has supported student legal clinics, a Traveling Lawyers program and specialized pro bono legal services. The Initiative also utilizes a variety of methods, including brochures and public education programs, to increase the public's legal literacy. It is active in gender programming and conducts legal assessments and commentaries.
Meet Our Staff
Richard Grawey, Legal Specialist, joined ABA ROLI in October 2011. Mr. Grawey recently oversaw a U.S. Department of State-funded international human rights project in Iraq. This followed his more than 20 years’ as a judge in the State of Illinois where he presided over a wide range of criminal cases from murder to probationable offenses, and in every stage of the proceedings from arraignments and pre-trial matters to post-trial motions and sentencing. He has also heard civil cases and has an additional 15 years experience as an attorney and Congressional committee counsel. You can contact Richard Grawey at richard.grawey@abaroli.md
