Broad Media Coverage for Fizi Trials

L ast week, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) supported a mobile court in the town of Baraka in South Kivu province, the Democratic Republic of Congo, during which trials were held for military officers accused of ordering mass rapes in the city of Fizi on New Year’s Day. Commanding officer Lt. Col. Kibibi Mutware and three others were found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison, while another five soldiers received between 10 and 15 years for their role in the attacks. Read more »»

europe and Eurasia

Law Professors Participate in an Anti-Human Trafficking Training

F rom February 9–13, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) held a training of trainers on an anti-human trafficking curriculum it developed for Kyrgyzstan. The 21 law professors who participated will help introduce the innovative curriculum to law schools around the country. Read more »»

Latin America and the Caribbean

Panamanian Journalists Trained on Legal Reform  

I n February, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) trained journalists on Panama’s ongoing implementation of an orality-based, adversarial legal system. The day-long workshop, held in Panama City, provided 31 journalists with the necessary knowledge to report accurately on the country’s transition to this system and with an improved understanding of their role—and of the roles of various justice sector actors—under the system. Read more »»

Latin America and the Caribbean

Assessment of Guatemalan Prosecutorial System Begins

T he Guatemalan criminal justice system faces many challenges, not the least of which is an impunity rate reaching 98 percent, according to the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. Impunity persists as both organized and random crimes continue to rise, and with extortion, kidnapping and violence against women now commonplace in Guatemala. Read more »»

Africa

Ambassador Entwhistle Visits Our Offices in the DRC

Our DRC Country Director Charles-Guy Makongo, left, introduces the U.S. Ambassador to the DRC James F. Entwistle, center, to ABA ROLI Staff Attorney Sheyna Muhima Euphrasia, right, as ABA ROLI field staff look on. During his visit to our offices in the DRC, Ambassador Entwhistle said that he was impressed by the volume and the quality of ABA ROLI’s work to fight impunity related to sexual violence.

Asia

Small Claims Courts Help Rural Banks Recover Loans and Expand Financial Services

M ore than 750 Philippine rural banks with more than 2,000 branches around the country have been encouraging entrepreneurship through loans to local communities, including in conflict-ridden areas. Unfortunately, between 2006 and 2010, delinquent payments on these loans have increased by an average of more than 10 percent a year. Read more »»