At a time of optimism but also flux and uncertainty in the Middle East and North Africa, nations across the region are witnessing forceful calls from their populaces for meaningful and transparent democratic change. Some are faced with the challenge of building new democratic institutions while others aim to reform existing ones to respond to popular demands for increased openness and equality. In either case, advancement of the rule of law is foundation to successful endeavors.

Throughout the region, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) works to foster rule of law by assisting local partners with judicial development, upgrading legal education, strengthening the legal profession, fighting corruption, advancing the rights and professional participation of women, enhancing access to justice and building a rule of law culture. ABA ROLI’s initiatives—both regional and bilateral—endeavor to strengthen the standing of individual countries and the region as a whole vis-à-vis international standards and best practices.

We work with local partners to address the specific rule of law issues related to the Middle East and North Africa’s rapidly shifting sociopolitical realities. In the wake of the January 2011 revolution in Tunisia, we support the Tunisian Bar Association in its leadership role in the country’s October constituent assembly elections. In Morocco, ABA ROLI works with the Moroccan anti-corruption agency, la Instance Centrale de Prévention de la Corruption (ICPC), on programs addressing corruption in Moroccan society.

Additionally, our work has included regional programs for legal professionals in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. ABA ROLI maintains offices and bilateral programs in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia and Turkey.

Interactive Teaching Techniques Make an Impact in Egyptian Law Schools

Until a few months ago, Egyptian public international law professor Dr. Salwa El-Ekiaby routinely felt mentally and physically exhausted. Between her courses at Benha University and those at Zagazig University, she taught more than 1,000 students. In keeping with standard practice, each class consisted of more than an hour of uninterrupted lecture, and student questions were answered after class. Ultimately, this technique proved taxing—Dr. El-Ekiaby’s energy was sapped after each lecture, and many students found it difficult to focus with so few opportunities for interaction. Read more »»

Bahraini Prosecutors Trained on Anti-Money Laundering Cases

In cooperation with the Bahraini Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Bahraini Judicial and Legal Studies Institute, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) hosted a training on asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering for approximately 20 Bahraini prosecutors from October 23-24 in Manama. Read more »»

Morocco’s Anti-Corruption Agency Hosts High Profile International Events

In late October, the Instance Centrale de la Prevention de la Corruption (ICPC), Morocco’s anti-corruption agency, hosted two high profile anti-corruption events in Marrakech. More than 700 delegates from 80 countries attended the annual conference of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies, while the Conference of State Parties of the United Nations Convention against Corruption drew representatives from dozens of international organizations and non-governmental organizations and was attended by nearly 2,000 delegates from more than 150 countries. Read more »»

Anti-Money Laundering Prosecutorial Training Held in the United Arab Emirates

In cooperation with the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Ministry of Justice, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) hosted a training on asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering for approximately 20 Emirati prosecutors on October 27 in Dubai. Read more »»

Mentoring Program to Help Young Judges Hone Their Skills

On September 28, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the Arab Women’s Legal Network (AWLN) launched a mentoring program for newly appointed women judges in Jordan. The program will help enhance the judges’ human rights-related knowledge and judicial skills. Read more »»

ABA ROLI, Tunisian Bar Association Work for Fair and Transparent Elections

For the first time in generations, on October 23, Tunisians had the opportunity to vote in real democratic elections. In the months leading up to the elections, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) coordinated with the Tunisian Bar Association (TBA) as it worked to assure that elections were fair and transparent. Read more »»