2014 undp ilrc annual report

International Legal Resource Center American Bar AssociationSection of International Law1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20036http://ambar.org/[email protected]

Timothy L. Dickinson, Paul Hastings LLPFounder & Chair; ILRC Steering Committee

Michael E. Burke, Arnall Golden Gregory LLPILRC Co-Chair

Christina Heid, International Projects [email protected]; +1 (202) 662-1034

Jacqueline Gichinga, Sr. International Program [email protected]; +1 (202) 662-1662

International LegalResource Center2014 ANNUAL REPORT

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ABBREVIATIONSAAR Abyei Area Referendum ACA Anti-Corruption Agency ADR Alternative Dispute ResolutionABA American Bar Association BPP Benchmarking Public Procurement BRC Bratislava Regional Centre

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

CERD Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement CPRD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

CRA Corruption Risk Assessment CSO Civil Society Organizations CTC Counter-Terrorism Committee CTED Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate DLC District Level Component DOCO United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office

DPP Directorate Public ProsecutorsDRRRT Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery Team EU European Union FINRA Financial Industry Regulatory Authority GBV Gender-based Violence HRBA Human Rights Based Approach HRCM Human Rights Commission of the Maldives HQ HeadquartersIFC International Finance Corporation IP Intellectual PropertyILRC International Legal Resource Center JACC Jordan Anti-Corruption CommissionJD ABA Justice Defenders Program JHRA Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan Project

JSC Judicial Services Commission KCDR Karachi Centre for Dispute Resolution LDC Least Developing Countries M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MDA Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDGs Millennium Development GoalsMOJ Ministry of Justice MP Members of ParliamentMPGIS Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening

NGO Non-Governmental Organizations NHRI National Human Rights Institutions NJP National Justice Programme OHCHR United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OSS One-Stop-Shop PDHJ Provedoria for Human Rights and JusticePOGAR Programme on Governance in the Arab Region

PBSO United Nations Peacebuilding Support OfficePPP Public-Private PartnershipsRSC Regional Service Centre SP Strategic PartnershipTOR Terms of ReferenceTOT Training-of-TrainersTRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNCAC United Nations Convention against Corruption

UNDG United Nations Development Group UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNFPA UN Population FundU.S. United States of America VAW Violence Against WomenWBG World Bank Group WBL Women, Business and the Law WRO UNDP’s Washington Representation Office WTO World Trade Organization


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1CELEBRATING 15 YEARS • 1999 - 2014

Introduction 2

A Message from ILRC Chairman Mr. Timothy L. Dickinson 3

A Message from UNDP Washington Representation Office 5

Focus Areas 6

Core Services 7

How the ILRC Works 7

Guiding Principles 8

Project Profile 9

Legislative Assessments 10

Utilization of the ILRC 11

Expert Database 12

Special Thanks 13

2010 – 2013 Project Activities Overview 14-27

2010 – 2013 Project Highlights 28-75

Other Collaborations 76-81

Steering Committee and Advisory Committee 82

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION

1

The International Legal Resource Center (ILRC) was established in December 1999, based upon the common commitment of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the American Bar Association (ABA) to advocate for democratic governance and the rule of law on a global scale. For nearly fifteen years, the project has assisted UNDP as well as several other United Nations (UN) entities and multinational organizations that work in developing countries with legal issues beyond democratic governance. Respect for the rule of law is an essential component of all development initiatives and a prerequisite for the creation of sustainable environments and overall poverty reduction.

Housed within the ABA Section of International Law (the Section), the ILRC identifies experts for requests relating to technical legal assistance projects, knowledge management and advisory services worldwide. The ILRC also conducts assessments of draft and current legislation gauging its compliance with international standards where appropriate and provides legal research and substantive advice to governments on policy formulation. The ILRC continues to expand its range of capabilities and is flexible in responding to the changing needs of UNDP, other UN entities, multinational organizations and their local partners.

Through its committed staff, experienced committee members and diverse database of experts, the ILRC seeks to enhance our international capacity to deliver the highest quality assistance to those most in need.

The ABA is the largest voluntary professional membership association in the world. With nearly 400,000 members, a substantial number of whom are international attorneys from more than 90 countries, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, resource materials, judicial and legal training, support to bar associations around the world, and other initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.

For more information, please visit: www.americanbar.org/aba.html.

Founded in 1933, ABA Section of International Law is the leader in the development of policy in the international arena, the promotion of the rule of law and education of international law practitioners. It is the only ABA entity that focuses on the full range of international legal issues and is involved in a wide variety of substantive legal activities. Furthermore, its membership of approximately 22,000 spans over 90 countries, which includes 18% of its members as qualified lawyers practicing abroad and another 18% as non-U.S. qualified lawyers.

The ABA Section of International Law’s purposes are: to promote interest, activity, and research in international and comparative law and related areas; to further its development; to diffuse knowledge among members of the legal profession and others; to formulate professional opinion thereon; to promote professional relationships with lawyers similarly engaged in foreign countries; and to implement Goal IV of the Association – “To advance the rule of law in the world.”

For more information, please visit: www.americanbar.org/intlaw.

2 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

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YEARS IN REVIEW

As the ILRC moves into its fifteenth year, it seems appropriate to take a moment to revisit not only the past year, but the past decade and a half, both to assess past accomplishments and the achievement of future goals.

Our mission has been to assist the UNDP with democratic governance projects and enhancement of rule of law throughout the world, from desktop reviews to boots on the ground. The ABA shares these goals and we are proud to join forces with our UNDP and other colleagues in this critical work.

The ILRC was founded in 1999, following a series of conversations I had with UNDP Resident Representatives and the realization that ABA members throughout the world were not only providing technical legal assistance in areas such as Eastern Europe, but were enthusiastic to do even more such work worldwide. This dovetailed well with UNDP’s recognition that, to advance its primary goal of the eradication of poverty, advancement of democratic governance was imperative. The leadership of the ABA, along with then UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown, soon entered into the Project Cooperation Agreement in October 1999, and the “ABA-UNDP Legal Resource Unit” (later to be renamed the ILRC) officially opened its “doors” for business in December 1999, heralding a new era of cooperation between our institutions to achieve common goals.1

Most of my prior annual messages were essentially reviews of the previous year and setting objectives for the next year, including identifying ways to improve and strengthen our collaboration with UNDP and other UN entities. In looking back over a greater period of time, our objectives remain largely unchanged. Nevertheless, our world is ever-evolving, and we are keenly aware that the ILRC must remain nimble in our ability to enhance

our capabilities to provide whatever is needed for UNDP to advance its goals. Looking at current events, whether in Syria or Crimea, only serves to strengthen my view – we must keep progressing in order to bring good governance to jurisdictions that are themselves in a state of flux. With our global network and the continued expansion of our team of highly-skilled experts, we are well-positioned to continue to grow and take on new clients and challenges, while continuing to provide our high-level expertise at virtually no cost.

As we take a look back to provide context for the future, we have much to celebrate! To date, we have carried out over 300 projects worldwide, including a large number of projects relating to the kinds of governance issues that we might have anticipated, such as constitutional reform, access to justice, criminal law reform, mainstreaming human rights and institutional capacity building. But in addition to these more traditional areas, we’ve also been able to help in even more specialized areas of law, such as tax reform, compliance with international treaties, HIV/AIDS legislation, transparency and the list goes on. What is particularly noteworthy in reviewing this exhaustive list is the breadth of what the collaboration between the ABA and UNDP has addressed.

In just the past year, we have brought together more than fifty experts to comment on Fiji’s Mineral (Exploration and Exploitation) Bill; assisted the Jamaican Government in its efforts to update HIV/AIDS policy and legal reforms; conducted judicial trainings in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan; and mapped the state of legal aid in over fifty countries, along with many other significant projects which are further highlighted in the body of this report.

We have also taken on projects with new institutions and other members of the UN family, including UN Women, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Bank Group (WBG). We expect to continue that trajectory with further projects with additional international organizations whose interests and needs align with our capabilities. As these institutions undertake further projects that can benefit from our services, we hope to build close cooperation with multiple stakeholders.


A Message from

ILRC Chairman,

Timothy L. Dickinson

1The four focus areas of UNDP: Poverty Reduction, Democratic Governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development. For more information, please visit: www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/about_us.html.

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YEARS IN REVIEW


Over the years, our volunteer database has grown to over 2,000 strong, with volunteers who speak 129 languages and reside in 114 countries. At least 48.5% of our volunteers are non-US nationals; thus, the ILRC is truly a global program, mirroring the United Nations.

Please join me in reviewing this annual report of our recent projects and highlights. We hope that this may inspire those interested in our work to participate. I am extremely grateful to our colleagues at UNDP for their tireless work, along with our incredible ILRC experts who are responsible for making this partnership viable and successful. Individually, I would like to express a special thanks to our Senior International Program Associate, Jacqueline Gichinga, for her seven years of diligent service and indefatigable dedication. She has been the embodiment of our institution, working behind the scenes in frequently challenging circumstances with grace and determination.

Finally, I would like to welcome Michael Burke who joins the ILRC as a Co-Chair. Mike is a former Section Chair and has served as a leader in the Section for fifteen years. He continues to play a major role in the Section’s international activities and will bring a wealth of leadership and foresight.

We welcome any comments or questions and hope thatyou will join us in addressing governance issues and supporting the rule of law around the globe.

Timothy L. DickinsonFounder & ChairILRC Steering Committee

Signing of the Project Cooperation Agreement by Robert A. Stein, ABA Executive Director, and Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP Administrator.

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YEARS IN REVIEW

UNDP is the UN’s global development agency, working in 177 countries to provide knowledge, experience and resources to help create country-owned solutions to global and national development challenges. Funded entirely through voluntary contributions, UNDP manages an annual budget of approximately $5 billion, including roughly $1 billion of core resources that support basic program activities, technical expertise and the global country network necessary to deliver its worldwide programs. UNDP serves as the manager of the UN’s development system, ensuring greater UN coherence at the country level.

UNDP’s Washington Representation Office (WRO) acts as a liaison between UNDP and the United States (U.S.) government, think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic, diplomatic and media communities informing them about UNDP’s role, capabilities, programs and results.

Present at the birth of this partnership, WRO maintains close ties with the ILRC team in order to secure a more stable practice into the future. A number of outreach initiatives to country offices and program officers at Headquarters are being discussed in line with the WRO’s efforts to increase their field teams’ visibility in Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit: www.us.undp.org/content/washington/en/home/operations/about_undp.html.

A Message fromUNDP’s Washington Representation Office

Signing of the Project Cooperation Agreement by Robert

UNDP Administrator.

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FOCUS AREAS

UNDP, the ILRC’s main client, works to help countries build and share solutions to development challenges in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight overarching development goals that are interrelated and defined by targets and indicators with the aim of attaining results by 2015.2 As the deadline approaches, there is evidence that progress has been made despite the ever changing global environment. According to UNDP 2013 statistics, their programs: supported the creation of 6.5 million jobs, over half for women, in 109 countries; increased access to justice in 117 countries; helped build resilience in 14 crisis-affected regions; conducted elections with 43 million newly registered voters; made social protection inclusive for 15 million people; and balanced natural resource use for 250 million hectares.3 UNDP and other development partners are planning and coordinating the post-2015 agenda and are rethinking development to make sure that all initiatives not only reduce poverty and inequality, but sustainably improve all human development outcomes. UNDP assists developing nations in four main areas:

• Democratic Governance• Poverty Reduction and Achievement of the MDGs• Crisis Prevention and Recovery• Environment and Energy for Sustainable

Development

Each practice area is vital to the realization of the MDGs and enables UNDP to coordinate its efforts with other specialized entities within and outside the UN. UNDP applies a human rights and gender-sensitive approach to all of its activities.

Strengthening the capacity and quality of democratic institutions worldwide is central to promoting the rule of law and creating an enabling environment for the eradication of poverty. Consequently, work within UNDP’s Democratic Governance is organized and monitored in accordance with several focus areas:

• Access to Information and E-Governance• Access to Justice and Rule of Law• Anti-Corruption

• Civic Engagement• Electoral Systems and Processes• Human Rights• Local Governance and Local Development• Parliamentary Development• Public Administration• Women’s Empowerment• Youth

The ILRC is designed to provide technical assistance to UNDP country offices, UNDP regional service centres (RSC), other international entities and their local partners in a wide variety of areas, including, but not limited to:

• Reforming legal institutions and systems;• Establishing new access to justice mechanisms;• Building constitutional frameworks;• Encouraging compliance with international

standards and regulations;• Supporting comprehensive analyses on draft or

current legislation;• Improving parliaments’ efficiency and strategic

planning;• Restructuring public sector regulations and

processes;• Strengthening anti-corruption measures;• Sustaining decentralization measures and

strengthening local institutions;• Developing independent lawyer associations;• Conducting legal education and judicial trainings;• Providing legal services and advice to indigent and

marginalized populations; and• Evaluating UNDP projects and assisting with work

plan development.

By engaging in the above legal reform efforts, ILRC experts and staff help further the work of UNDP and other entities and directly affect change in developing countries. Over the years, ILRC expertise has contributed to incremental progress towards the MDGs.


2 For more information about the MDGs, please visit: www.mdgmonitor.org/.3 For more information about UNDP, please visit: www.undp.org.

HOW THE ILRC WORKS

UNDP OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

1. TECHNICAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTTOR* or Legal Query

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CORE SERVICES

Identification and recommendation of legal experts In response to requests from UNDP country offices and RSCs as well as other international entities, the ILRC identifies and recommends experts to serve in developing countries on virtually any issue. Additionally, the ability of the ILRC to draw upon pro bono contributions from experts helps reduce the cost of development projects. The ILRC provides substantive back-up support to legal experts to enhance their work in the field.

Legal research and knowledge managementThe ILRC conducts research and provides legal information and comments on law-related matters to UNDP country offices and their local partners. The requests are submitted directly to the ILRC or through

their knowledge networks. The ILRC’s resources are also available to others within the UN system and the international development arena.

Coordination and oversight of legislative assessmentsIn response to field requests, the ILRC coordinates multifaceted assessments of draft and current domestic legislation, gauging its compliance with international standards where appropriate.

Other servicesThe ILRC will provide individually tailored programs and services in response to the changing needs of UNDP, other UN entities, multilateral organizations and their partners.

• • • • • • • • Youth

limited to:

• • • •

•

• planning;

• processes;

• •

• • •

•


2

3 For more information about UNDP, please visit: www.undp.org.

HOW THE ILRC WORKS

UNDP OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

1. UNDP or another international entity in the field initiates the process by providing ILRC staff with Terms of Reference (TOR), or requests for legal experts, legal research or advice.2. ILRC staff conducts research and consults with its committees, registered experts and affiliates for suggestions and recommendations.3. ILRC staff delivers expert recommendations, research or legislative assessments to UNDP or other international entity and provides further back-up support as necessary. *A sample TOR for legal expert positions, including specifications of responsibilities, qualifications and deliverables is available upon request.

1. TECHNICAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTTOR* or Legal Query

2. ILRC STAFF

ILRC Steering and Advisory Committees, ILRC Expert Database, ABA Entities and Legal Related NGOs Worldwide and Networks

3. SERVICESExperts, Research, Assessments

and Other


GUIDING PRINCIPLESQuality The ILRC is committed to providing high-quality technical assistance to all legal reform projects. Operating from a database of over 2,000 legal experts and international development professionals, the ILRC provides a wide array of substantive support ranging from core rule of law principles and access to justice issues to business law fundamentals. With experts averaging 20.5 years of experience, the ILRC brings a wealth of know-how to every UNDP project. Junior lawyers, early in their careers, are equally important to the continued progress of the ILRC. They provide solid contributions by conducting legal research and supporting ad hoc activities on short notice.

Cost Effectiveness The ILRC delivers tremendous benefits in a cost effective manner. Entities recruiting experts who volunteer their time through the ILRC are solely responsible for covering business-related expenses. The recruitment process, legal research and legislative assessments are provided at no cost. Special requests have also been accommodated at no additional expense.

Timeliness The ILRC provides quick turn-around responses to recruitment, research requests and other knowledge management products. Requests for experts are answered in a one- to two-week period, while general research, e-discussions and assessments take anywhere from one to six weeks to complete. However, the timeline for assessments vary to account for the lag between correspondence with remote experts, the country office and their local partners.

Flexibility The ILRC accesses a network of experts whose time commitments complement the needs of international development projects. Short-term assignments fit well with ILRC professionals who have full-time careers; however, longer in-country postings also appeal to certain ILRC experts.

Diversity In addition to its database, which includes highly experienced multilingual legal experts and international development professionals, the ILRC benefits from its relationship with the Section and its partnerships with regional bar associations and the greater ABA. With approximately 22,000 members divided into 60 regional and special interest committees within twelve divisions, as well as task forces and working groups. The Section is the leader in the development of policy in the international arena. The ILRC has also drawn on this lifelong partnership and its affiliation with the greater ABA, as well as international and national bar associations.

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PROJECT PROFILE

Over the past decade and a half, the ILRC’s experience has steadily grown in the number, type and scope of services it provides. Beginning in 2000, when we received just fifteen requests from UNDP for technical legal services, the ILRC has now aided over 300 UNDP projects in at least 100 countries, in areas encompassing democratic governance and rule of law. Through the identification and recommendation of experts, provision of legal information, legislative assessments and other specialized services, the ILRC has built a reputation for responsiveness and adherence to the changing needs of field staff working in developing countries.

In addition to a significant increase in the total number of requests handled per year, the ILRC has seen an increase in requests for research and distribution of legal information. To date, the ILRC has facilitated nineteen legislative assessments. Requests for legislative assessments, legal resources and research have grown to make up more than half of all projects. This is likely due to UNDP’s much-enhanced knowledge management system and the launch of UNDP Teamworks, an online platform that shares development knowledge and expertise as well as UN Women’s Knowledge Gateway, an online global community that shares resources and tools for women’s economic empowerment. Additional efforts have been made to inform UNDP offices and other entities about the potential benefits of receiving free legislative drafting advice.

Trends can also be seen in the geographic scope of ILRC services over the past decade. While the ILRC has

responded to requests from over a hundred countries, Afghanistan, Jamaica, Jordan, the Maldives, Nepal, Sudan and Uzbekistan are countries that have received the ILRC’s assistance repeatedly in the past three years. Growth in projects can be attributed to UNDP’s growing portfolio of projects in these countries and as well as improved and continued relationships with UNDP country staff and the ILRC’s additional collaborations with UN Women, UNODC and the World Bank Group (WBG). Assistance with knowledge sharing to UNDP/Headquarters, UN Women and country offices has also increased significantly over the past three years. Additionally, the ILRC has actively participated in e-discussions, desktop research and other ad hoc requests.

A large portion of ILRC programming support over the past three years focused on access to justice, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), anti-corruption, judicial reform, human rights, legal aid, marginalized groups, parliamentary development, public administration and other related rule of law issues. Furthermore, gender issues were more prominent, including gender equality, gender mainstreaming/sensitization, gender-based violence (GBV) and gender-responsive budgeting. In order to achieve long-term and sustainable results, emphasis has been placed on capacity building, implementation and enforcement as well as monitoring and evaluation within the scope of work in projects.


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LEGISLATIVE ASSESSMENTS

Facilitating legislative assessments is a long-standing tradition for the ILRC. Since its inception in 1999, the ILRC has presented UNDP and its local partners with this cost-effective service. This streamlined process is conducted virtually and provides comprehensive analyses and line-by-line commentary on draft or current legislation from developing countries.

The ProcessGiven its expansive database of legal and international development professionals, the ILRC is able to assemble a group of experts on almost any legislative topic. Following a preliminary briefing and guidance from ILRC staff, the team thoroughly analyzes a draft or current law identified for review. The experts, who offer their services pro bono, are directed to gauge their comments through a legal and development lens. Thus, they provide top-notch advice that is not only legally sound, but is also current, practical and applicable in developing countries. These comments are compiled into a comprehensive report that is forwarded to UNDP and stakeholders for review. The stakeholder feedback and the experts’ revisions are incorporated into a final draft. One or more of the expert commentators may travel in-country in order to expand on the report and build

local capacity through legislative drafting workshops. Travel is subject to approval by UNDP or other partner organizations that are responsible for covering all travel-related costs.

Benefits and Long-term OutcomesOver the years, the ILRC has conducted several legislative assessments that address a wide range of legal issues. Details of these assessments can be found in the pages to follow. ILRC legislative assessments serve as comprehensive resources and can be used to:

• Improve the legislative drafting skills of government officials, NGOs and stakeholders in developing countries.

• Encourage increased collaboration between local partners, NGOs and governments.

• Promote adherence to and ratification of international and regional standards, where applicable.

• Identify areas which are problematic or have been omitted (including identifying internal inconsistencies).

• Provide comparative analyses on best practices from different countries.

2013 UNDP/Ghana Analysis of Legal Aid Commission Act

2013 UNDP/Fiji Analysis of Draft Mineral (Exploration and Exploitation) Bill 2006

2012 UNDP/Moldova Review of the Draft Law on Chemicals

2012 UNDP/Uzbekistan Analysis of Draft Law on Innovations and Innovation Activity

2012 UNDP/Jamaica Analysis of Private Sector Working Group’s Tax Reform Proposal in Jamaica

2011 UNDP/Tanzania Analysis of Zanzibar’s Draft Bill on Anti-Corruption

2010 UNDP/Sudan Assessment of Residency Requirements for Migratory Groups in connection with the Referenda

2010 UNDP/Sudan Assessment of Referenda on Southern Sudan and the Abyei Area

2009 UNDP/Sudan Analysis of Draft Law on Legal Aid

2006 UNDP/Viet Nam Enterprise and Investment Decrees

2006 UNDP/Bhutan Contract Law

2005 UNDP/Viet Nam Anti-Corruption

2005 UNDP/Viet Nam Investment Law

2005 UNDP/Viet Nam Enterprise Law

2005 UNDP/Viet Nam Environmental Law

2003 UNDP/Viet Nam Health Law and HIV/AIDS

2002 UNDP/Viet Nam Court Administration

2002 UNDP/Viet Nam Bankruptcy Law

2001 UNDP/Mongolia Communications Law

YEAR UNDP OFFICE ASSESSMENT


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Benefits and Long-term Outcomes

comprehensive resources and can be used to:

• Improve the legislative drafting skills of government officials, NGOs and stakeholders in developing countries.

• Encourage increased collaboration between local partners, NGOs and governments.

• Promote adherence to and ratification of international and regional standards, where applicable.

• Identify areas which are problematic or have been omitted (including identifying internal inconsistencies).

• Provide comparative analyses on best practices from different countries.

ASSESSMENT

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EXPERT DATABASE

The ILRC is continually growing and diversifying its pool of experts. We extend invitations to legal practitioners and international development specialists from all over the world to lend their expertise to UNDP supported programs and other legal reform initiatives. Today, our database contains over 2,000 members who practice in common law, civil law, mixed jurisdictions and who are well versed in international development issues. We invite all lawyers and other development professionals interested in worldwide technical legal assistance to register with the ILRC today!

Simply email: [email protected] for additional information.

The ILRC also draws upon the members of the Section, the greater ABA as well as other national, regional and international bar associations, and cooperates with NGOs working on legal reform issues.

The ILRC Expert Database at a Glance*

ILRC Criteria for Selecting and Recommending Legal Experts

• 2,119 registered experts • 48.5% are non-U.S. experts• 37.6% of the experts are female• 78.3% of experts have more than 10 years

of experience• 114 countries and territories are

represented in the database• Registered experts speak 129 languages

and dialects

* Please note that the above statistics are approximated and not all the registered experts provide their complete personal data.

• Experience matching the terms of reference• Knowledge of the law and developments in

relevant fields of expertise• Knowledge of international development

issues• Experience in developing countries• Familiarity with host country’s history

and culture, as well as political and legal systems

• Language, communication and pedagogic skills

• Record of pro bono service

This page lists experts and interns who have worked on ILRC projects since 2007. Apologies for any missing names.

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NGOs working on legal reform issues.

ILRC Criteria for Selecting and Recommending Legal Experts

YEARS1999-2014

SPECIAL THANKS!

This page lists experts and interns who have worked on ILRC projects since 2007. Apologies for any missing names.

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PROJECT ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW


Afghanistan (2004) Provision of legal research Legal profession Establishing national bar associations in post-conflict countries

Afghanistan (2005) Identification of legal expert Human rights; Legal profession

Afghanistan (2006) Identification of legal expert Administrative law

Afghanistan (2007) Identification of legal expert Security issues Evaluating a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program

Afghanistan (2007) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Strengthening local legislative research services

Afghanistan (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Restructuring and reforming government institutions

Afghanistan (2010) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Strengthening accountability and quality assurance mechanisms in the judiciary

Afghanistan (2010) Identification of legal expert Rule of law; Access to justice Centralizing the national justice programs

Afghanistan (2010) Identification of legal expert Rule of law; Judicial reform Developing judicial capacity at district and local levels

Afghanistan (2010) Identification of legal expert Administrative law

Afghanistan (2011) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Enhancing civil society’s capacity to fight corruption

Afghanistan (2013) Provision of legal research Business law Implementing street vending policies and legislation

Albania (2010) Identification of legal expert Gender; Administrative law Drafting the regulatory framework for the new domestic violence refuge

Albania-UN Women (2010) Identification of legal expert Gender; Administrative law Training trainers on gender equality

Angola (2005) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform

Angola (2009) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform

Argentina (2004) Provision of legal research Tax law Educating the public on taxation

Armenia (2004) Provision of legal research Communications law Regulating media coverage of disastrous emergencies

Armenia (2006) Provision of legal research Citizenship

Armenia (2008) Identification of legal expert Gender Reviewing the draft law on equal opportunities and equal rights

Armenia (2009) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform; E-governance Increasing participation and access to the judicial and legislative branches

Azerbaijan (2006) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Bahrain (2006) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Supporting parliamentary research bodies

Bahrain (2010) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Improving the central functions of parliament

Bangladesh (2003) Identification of legal expert Human rights

Bangladesh (2006) Provision of legal research Election law

Bangladesh (2007) Provision of legal research Election law Ensuring the independence of election commissions

Bangladesh (2008) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption Analyzing the impact of anti-corruption activities

Bangladesh (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Property law Advancing pro-poor legislation on evictions and resettlement

Bangladesh (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Belarus (2002) Provision of legal research Legislative drafting Capacity building for legislative drafting

Belarus (2006) Provision of legal research Immigration law Creating legal infrastructure for immigration and asylum

Belarus (2012) Identification of legal expert Trade law; Economic law Assessing compliance to the World Trade Organization

Belarus (2013) Identification of legal expert Access to Justice; Gender

Bhutan (2006) Identification of legal expert Contract law Drafting a comprehensive law on contracts

Bhutan (2006) Coordination of legislative assessment Contract law

Bhutan (2007) Provision of legal research Election law Maintaining high and effective political participation of the urban population

Bhutan-UNFPA (2010)* Provision of legal research Gender

Bolivia (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Botswana (2004) Identification of legal expert Human rights Increasing national compliance with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Botswana (2012) Provision of legal research Commercial law; Health law Establishing an effective HIV/AIDS public private partnership

Burundi (2006) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Supporting transitional justice efforts

Burundi (2006) Identification of legal expert Juvenile justice Designing a national action plan on juvenile justice

Burundi (2006) Identification of legal expert Law enforcement administration Supporting the security sector in a post-conflict situation

UNDP Country/RSC Form of Assistance Provided

SubstantiveLegal Field

*Listed UN acronyms: UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

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REQUESTS 2000 - 2013


Afghanistan (2004) Provision of legal research Legal profession Establishing national bar associations in post-conflict countries

Afghanistan (2005) Identification of legal expert Human rights; Legal profession Training legal professionals

Afghanistan (2006) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Supporting provincial councils

Afghanistan (2007) Identification of legal expert Security issues Evaluating a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program

Afghanistan (2007) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Strengthening local legislative research services

Afghanistan (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Restructuring and reforming government institutions

Afghanistan (2010) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Strengthening accountability and quality assurance mechanisms in the judiciary

Afghanistan (2010) Identification of legal expert Rule of law; Access to justice Centralizing the national justice programs

Afghanistan (2010) Identification of legal expert Rule of law; Judicial reform Developing judicial capacity at district and local levels

Afghanistan (2010) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Building the capacity of parliamentarians

Afghanistan (2011) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Enhancing civil society’s capacity to fight corruption

Afghanistan (2013) Provision of legal research Business law Implementing street vending policies and legislation

Albania (2010) Identification of legal expert Gender; Administrative law Drafting the regulatory framework for the new domestic violence refuge

Albania-UN Women (2010) Identification of legal expert Gender; Administrative law Training trainers on gender equality

Angola (2005) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Planning justice sector reform

Angola (2009) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Evaluating the process of justice reform

Argentina (2004) Provision of legal research Tax law Educating the public on taxation

Armenia (2004) Provision of legal research Communications law Regulating media coverage of disastrous emergencies

Armenia (2006) Provision of legal research Citizenship Drafting a national dual citizenship law

Armenia (2008) Identification of legal expert Gender Reviewing the draft law on equal opportunities and equal rights

Armenia (2009) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform; E-governance Increasing participation and access to the judicial and legislative branches

Azerbaijan (2006) Provision of legal research Administrative law Creating a national civil service commission

Bahrain (2006) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Supporting parliamentary research bodies

Bahrain (2010) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Improving the central functions of parliament

Bangladesh (2003) Identification of legal expert Human rights Training the judiciary on human rights law

Bangladesh (2006) Provision of legal research Election law Supporting the elections administration

Bangladesh (2007) Provision of legal research Election law Ensuring the independence of election commissions

Bangladesh (2008) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption Analyzing the impact of anti-corruption activities

Bangladesh (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Property law Advancing pro-poor legislation on evictions and resettlement

Bangladesh (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law Understanding informal governance systems

Belarus (2002) Provision of legal research Legislative drafting Capacity building for legislative drafting

Belarus (2006) Provision of legal research Immigration law Creating legal infrastructure for immigration and asylum

Belarus (2012) Identification of legal expert Trade law; Economic law Assessing compliance to the World Trade Organization

Belarus (2013) Identification of legal expert Access to Justice; Gender Developing specialized courts

Bhutan (2006) Identification of legal expert Contract law Drafting a comprehensive law on contracts

Bhutan (2006) Coordination of legislative assessment Contract law Reviewing the national draft law on contracts

Bhutan (2007) Provision of legal research Election law Maintaining high and effective political participation of the urban population

Bhutan-UNFPA (2010)* Provision of legal research Gender Sensitizing parliamentarians to gender implications

Bolivia (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law Managing the national parks service

Botswana (2004) Identification of legal expert Human rights Increasing national compliance with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Botswana (2012) Provision of legal research Commercial law; Health law Establishing an effective HIV/AIDS public private partnership

Burundi (2006) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Supporting transitional justice efforts

Burundi (2006) Identification of legal expert Juvenile justice Designing a national action plan on juvenile justice

Burundi (2006) Identification of legal expert Law enforcement administration Supporting the security sector in a post-conflict situation

Corresponding UNDP Program

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Burundi (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Burundi-UN Women (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting the newly elected female parliamentarians

Cambodia (2001) Identification of legal expert Administrative law

Cambodia (2007) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Strengthening local legislative research services

Central African Republic (2002) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption

Chad (2006) Identification of legal expert Administrative law

Chile (2009) Provision of legal research Elections

China (2001) Identification of legal expert Health law; Human rights

China (2001) Identification of legal expert Commercial law; Human rights Training on corporate governance and citizenship

China (2002) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption

Colombia-UN Women (2011) Provision of legal research Gender

Comoros (2002) Identification of legal expert Constitutional law Developing a constitutional framework for the Union

Comoros (2009) Provision of legal research Elections Developing the capacity of an independent electoral commission

Congo D.R. (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law; Citizenship Reviewing a draft law on nationality

Congo D.R. (2005) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Planning justice sector reform

Congo D.R. (2006) Provision of legal research Legal aid

Congo D.R. (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Congo D.R. (2011) Provision of legal research Gender Promoting women and children’s participation in local governance

Côte D’Ivoire (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Legal aid Revising the legal aid system

Croatia (2010) Provision of legal research Human rights; Administration of justice Merging independent statutory bodies and government offices in the human rights field

Ecuador (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Strengthening state bodies to effectively promote public policies on human rights issues

Egypt (2006) Provision of legal research Election law; E-governance Implementing electronic election infrastructure

Egypt (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law

El Salvador (2011) Provision of legal research Gender; Administrative law Setting a public budget for implementing gender-based violence law

Eritrea (2003) Provision of legal research Security issues Transitioning militants to the civilian police force

Ethiopia (2004) Provision of legal research Election law; Gender Increasing female voter turnout in national elections

Ethiopia (2011) Provision of legal research Environment Establishing a governance system for the forestry sector

Ethiopia (2011) Provision of legal research Administrative law Revenue sharing between central, regional and local governments

Fiji (2007) Identification of legal expert Human rights Evaluating a human rights awareness project

Fiji (2008) Identification of legal expert Administrative law

Fiji (2013) Coordination of legislative assessment Natural resource law; Human rights Analyzing a draft mineral bill

Gabon (2006) Identification of legal expert NGO law

Georgia (2004) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Assessing the capacity needs of the Ministry of Economy

Georgia (2006) Identification of legal expert Human rights Training the public defenders office

Ghana (2010) Provision of legal research Elections; Administrative law Identifying the impact of political transition and human development

Ghana (2013) Coordination of legislative assessment Legal aid

Guatemala (2002) Identification of legal expert Law enforcement administration Supporting security sector reform

Guinea (2007) Provision of legal research Election law; Gender Increasing women’s political participation

Guinea (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Guinea Bissau (2009) Identification of legal expert Administrative law

Guinea Bissau (2012) Provision of legal research Gender; Human rights Complying with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Haiti (2002) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Drafting the criminal and criminal procedure codes

Haiti (2008) Identification of legal expert Human rights Evaluating the capacity of local human rights organizations

Honduras (2003) Provision of legal research Law enforcement administration Strengthening the police force

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Burundi (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting public administration reform

Burundi-UN Women (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting the newly elected female parliamentarians

Cambodia (2001) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Developing the capacity of the parliament

Cambodia (2007) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Strengthening local legislative research services

Central African Republic (2002) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Evaluating public administration reform

Chad (2006) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Supporting the parliament

Chile (2009) Provision of legal research Elections Increasing the participation of youth in elections

China (2001) Identification of legal expert Health law; Human rights Analyzing HIV/AIDS legislation

China (2001) Identification of legal expert Commercial law; Human rights Training on corporate governance and citizenship

China (2002) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption Reforming public administration

Colombia-UN Women (2011) Provision of legal research Gender Funding strategies for gender-based violence shelters

Comoros (2002) Identification of legal expert Constitutional law Developing a constitutional framework for the Union

Comoros (2009) Provision of legal research Elections Developing the capacity of an independent electoral commission

Congo D.R. (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law; Citizenship Reviewing a draft law on nationality

Congo D.R. (2005) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Planning justice sector reform

Congo D.R. (2006) Provision of legal research Legal aid Designing and managing legal aid clinics

Congo D.R. (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law Revising the civil service statute

Congo D.R. (2011) Provision of legal research Gender Promoting women and children’s participation in local governance

Côte D’Ivoire (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Legal aid Revising the legal aid system

Croatia (2010) Provision of legal research Human rights; Administration of justice Merging independent statutory bodies and government offices in the human rights field

Ecuador (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Strengthening state bodies to effectively promote public policies on human rights issues

Egypt (2006) Provision of legal research Election law; E-governance Implementing electronic election infrastructure

Egypt (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Empowering the national NGO federation

El Salvador (2011) Provision of legal research Gender; Administrative law Setting a public budget for implementing gender-based violence law

Eritrea (2003) Provision of legal research Security issues Transitioning militants to the civilian police force

Ethiopia (2004) Provision of legal research Election law; Gender Increasing female voter turnout in national elections

Ethiopia (2011) Provision of legal research Environment Establishing a governance system for the forestry sector

Ethiopia (2011) Provision of legal research Administrative law Revenue sharing between central, regional and local governments

Fiji (2007) Identification of legal expert Human rights Evaluating a human rights awareness project

Fiji (2008) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Evaluating local governance projects

Fiji (2013) Coordination of legislative assessment Natural resource law; Human rights Analyzing a draft mineral bill

Gabon (2006) Identification of legal expert NGO law Supporting national civil society organizations

Georgia (2004) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Assessing the capacity needs of the Ministry of Economy

Georgia (2006) Identification of legal expert Human rights Training the public defenders office

Ghana (2010) Provision of legal research Elections; Administrative law Identifying the impact of political transition and human development

Ghana (2013) Coordination of legislative assessment Legal aid Analysis of legal aid legislation

Guatemala (2002) Identification of legal expert Law enforcement administration Supporting security sector reform

Guinea (2007) Provision of legal research Election law; Gender Increasing women’s political participation

Guinea (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law Developing a governance program

Guinea Bissau (2009) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Assessing the capacity of the parliament

Guinea Bissau (2012) Provision of legal research Gender; Human rights Complying with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Haiti (2002) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Drafting the criminal and criminal procedure codes

Haiti (2008) Identification of legal expert Human rights Evaluating the capacity of local human rights organizations

Honduras (2003) Provision of legal research Law enforcement administration Strengthening the police force

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Honduras (2006) Provision of legal research Administrative law; Ethics Comparing regulations on political party finance

India (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law Developing national strategies for urban poverty reduction

India (2006) Provision of legal research Human rights Protecting the right to information

India (2009) Identification of legal expert Human rights Developing legal rights material for marginalized communities

India (2010) Provision of legal research Judicial reform; Access to justice Sensitizing judicial officers on legal issues of marginalized groups

India (2011) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption

India (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law Analyzing international practices in the delivery of services and goods

Indonesia (2000) Identification of legal expert Election law

Indonesia (2002) Provision of legal research Constitutional law Supporting local governments and decentralization

Iran (2007) Provision of legal research Environment; Security issues Performing disaster management administration

Jamaica (2003) Provision of legal research Human rights; Health law Drafting anti-discrimination laws related to HIV/AIDS

Jamaica (2004) Provision of legal research Criminal law Prosecuting individuals for exposing partners to HIV

Jamaica (2008) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Establishing community justice tribunals

Jamaica (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Increasing the capacity of the government to implement a gender strategy

Jamaica (2012) Provision of legal research Tax law; Fiscal law

Jamaica (2012) Coordination of legislative assessment Tax law; Fiscal law

Jamaica (2013) Identification of legal expert Health law; Access to Justice Assessing HIV/AIDS legal compliance

Jamaica (2013) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Reviewing the best practices in laws, regulations and policies regarding HIV

Jordan (2010) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption; Tax law Training on corruption in tax revenues

Jordan (2010) Identification of legal expert Legislative drafting techniques

Jordan (2010) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Improving parliamentary performance in conflict prevention and recovery

Kazakhstan (2003) Provision of legal research Human rights Training in international human rights law

Kazakhstan (2008) Provision of legal research Election law Increasing election participation and strengthening processes

Kazakhstan (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Mainstreaming the rights of people with disabilities

Kazakhstan (2010) Provision of legal research Gender Developing mechanisms for the implementation of laws on equality

Kazakhstan (2013) Identification of legal expert Criminal law

Kenya (2006) Provision of legal research Housing law Comparing legal eviction practices

Kenya (2006) Provision of legal research Environmental law

Kenya-UNODC (2011)* Identification of legal expert Gender; Law enforcement administration Training prosecutors and police on gender-based violence

Kosovo (2011) Provision of legal research Good governance Establishing governance accountability mechanisms

Kyrgyzstan (2005) Identification of legal expert Constitutional law Assessing draft constitutional provisions and conflicts

Kyrgyzstan (2007) Identification of legal expert Access to justice

Kyrgyzstan (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Strengthening the work of parliamentary factions

Kyrgyzstan (2011) Provision of legal research Administrative law Building the capacity of public supervisory councils

Lao P.D.R. (2000) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Evaluating judicial training programs

Lao P.D.R. (2004) Identification of legal expert Legal profession

Lao P.D.R. (2005) Identification of legal expert Human rights Ensuring compliance with international standards

Lao P.D.R. (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights; Gender Institutionalizing customary law

Lao P.D.R. (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law; Judicial reform

Latvia (2002) Identification of legal expert Legal aid Establishing a legal aid system

Latvia (2003) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Training on judicial appointment procedure and training

Lesotho (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Liberia (2006) Provision of legal research Legal aid

Liberia (2007) Provision of legal research Human rights

*Listed UN acronym: UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

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Honduras (2006) Provision of legal research Administrative law; Ethics Comparing regulations on political party finance

India (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law Developing national strategies for urban poverty reduction

India (2006) Provision of legal research Human rights Protecting the right to information

India (2009) Identification of legal expert Human rights Developing legal rights material for marginalized communities

India (2010) Provision of legal research Judicial reform; Access to justice Sensitizing judicial officers on legal issues of marginalized groups

India (2011) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Drafting an anti-corruption bill

India (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law Analyzing international practices in the delivery of services and goods

Indonesia (2000) Identification of legal expert Election law Training on civic education and elections

Indonesia (2002) Provision of legal research Constitutional law Supporting local governments and decentralization

Iran (2007) Provision of legal research Environment; Security issues Performing disaster management administration

Jamaica (2003) Provision of legal research Human rights; Health law Drafting anti-discrimination laws related to HIV/AIDS

Jamaica (2004) Provision of legal research Criminal law Prosecuting individuals for exposing partners to HIV

Jamaica (2008) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Establishing community justice tribunals

Jamaica (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Increasing the capacity of the government to implement a gender strategy

Jamaica (2012) Provision of legal research Tax law; Fiscal law Reforming tax code and tax policy

Jamaica (2012) Coordination of legislative assessment Tax law; Fiscal law Analyzing a tax reform proposal

Jamaica (2013) Identification of legal expert Health law; Access to Justice Assessing HIV/AIDS legal compliance

Jamaica (2013) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Reviewing the best practices in laws, regulations and policies regarding HIV

Jordan (2010) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption; Tax law Training on corruption in tax revenues

Jordan (2010) Identification of legal expert Legislative drafting techniques Developing legislative capacity

Jordan (2010) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Improving parliamentary performance in conflict prevention and recovery

Kazakhstan (2003) Provision of legal research Human rights Training in international human rights law

Kazakhstan (2008) Provision of legal research Election law Increasing election participation and strengthening processes

Kazakhstan (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Mainstreaming the rights of people with disabilities

Kazakhstan (2010) Provision of legal research Gender Developing mechanisms for the implementation of laws on equality

Kazakhstan (2013) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Adjudicating cases related to financing terrorism

Kenya (2006) Provision of legal research Housing law Comparing legal eviction practices

Kenya (2006) Provision of legal research Environmental law Regulating and disposing of solid waste

Kenya-UNODC (2011)* Identification of legal expert Training prosecutors and police on gender-based violence

Kosovo (2011) Provision of legal research Good governance Establishing governance accountability mechanisms

Kyrgyzstan (2005) Identification of legal expert Constitutional law Assessing draft constitutional provisions and conflicts

Kyrgyzstan (2007) Identification of legal expert Access to justice Promoting the legal empowerment of the poor

Kyrgyzstan (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Strengthening the work of parliamentary factions

Kyrgyzstan (2011) Provision of legal research Administrative law Building the capacity of public supervisory councils

Lao P.D.R. (2000) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Evaluating judicial training programs

Lao P.D.R. (2004) Identification of legal expert Legal profession Building independent bar associations

Lao P.D.R. (2005) Identification of legal expert Human rights Ensuring compliance with international standards

Lao P.D.R. (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights; Gender Institutionalizing customary law

Lao P.D.R. (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law; Judicial reform Establishing regional courts

Latvia (2002) Identification of legal expert Legal aid Establishing a legal aid system

Latvia (2003) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Training on judicial appointment procedure and training

Lesotho (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Empowering the national NGO federation

Liberia (2006) Provision of legal research Legal aid Designing a national legal aid system

Liberia (2007) Provision of legal research Human rights Drafting a human rights national plan of action

93988_ABADC_Text.pdf 19 10/10/14 11:16 AM





Lithuania (2006) Identification of legal expert Juvenile justice Implementing a national plan of action on juvenile justice

Lithuania (2006) Provision of legal research Human rights; Criminal law Combating trafficking in persons

Macedonia (2004) Identification of legal expert Commercial law Streamlining business registration and regulations

Macedonia (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice Strengthening civil society engagement

Madagascar (2007) Provision of legal research Legal aid Incorporating legal aid clinics within a traditional justice system

Malawi (2004) Provision of legal research Human rights State party reporting to human rights treaties

Malaysia (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Enacting laws on gender equality and sexual harassment

Maldives (2001) Identification of legal expert Banking law Establishing a regulatory framework for microcredit funds

Maldives (2004) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Revising the national criminal code

Maldives (2009) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Assessing the capacity needs of justice institutions

Maldives (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice Developing national civil code procedures

Maldives (2010) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Examining successful mechanisms for transitional justice

Maldives (2011) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Strengthening the justice sector

Maldives (2013) Identification of legal expert Human rights; Administrative law Developing a court monitoring program for the human rights commission

Mauritius (2000) Provision of legal research Criminal law Drafting laws for cross border prisoner transfers

Mexico (2006) Provision of legal research Administrative law Using social audits in public administration

Mexico (2009) Provision of legal research Elections Coordinating elections in a post-national emergency situation

Moldova (2006) Identification of legal expert Human rights Developing a human rights national plan of action

Moldova (2007) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Developing a five-year strategy for justice sector reform

Moldova (2012) Coordination of legislative assessment Environmental law Analyzing a draft law on chemicals

Mongolia (2001) Coordination of legislative assessment Communications law Evaluating a draft public radio and television law

Mongolia (2003) Provision of legal research Criminal law Comparing pre-trial detention standards

Mozambique (2003) Provision of legal research Administrative law National planning and amending budget system legislation

Mozambique (2004) Provision of legal research Health law; Security issues Addressing HIV/AIDS in the armed forces

Mozambique (2010) Provision of legal research Human rights; NGO law Drafting codes of conduct for human rights NGOs

Mozambique (2010) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Addressing the punitive aspects of HIV legislation

Nepal (2001) Provision of legal research Human rights; Criminal law Combating trafficking in persons

Nepal (2002) Identification of legal expert Alternative dispute resolution Utilizing community-based arbitration

Nepal (2003) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform; Commercial law Training the judiciary in cyberspace and copyright law

Nepal (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Financing local governance to improve service delivery

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Enshrining economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting public outreach activities to promote participatory constitution building

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Examining the constitutional status of the national human rights commission

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Criminal law; Human rights Drafting criminal provisions to ensure justice for victims

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Alternative dispute resolution; Access to justice Implementing community mediation projects

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Implementing a new federal structure in a post-conflict setting

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Criminal law; Human rights Developing a witness protection system and a victim support program

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting the directorate for execution of court judgments

Nepal (2010) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Ensuring the transparency and accountability of judiciary appointments

Nepal (2010) Provision of legal research Gender; Judicial reform Training judges and judicial personnel on gender-based violence

Nepal (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights Empowering local human rights defenders

Nepal (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice Increasing access to justice

Nepal-UN Women (2011) Provision of legal research Gender; Access to justice Incorporating gender in transitional justice processes

Nepal-UN CTED (2013)* Identification of legal expert Criminal law Increasing judicial capacity in the adjudication of terrorism cases

*Listed UN acronym: UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)





Lithuania (2006) Identification of legal expert Juvenile justice Implementing a national plan of action on juvenile justice

Lithuania (2006) Provision of legal research Human rights; Criminal law Combating trafficking in persons

Macedonia (2004) Identification of legal expert Commercial law Streamlining business registration and regulations

Macedonia (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice Strengthening civil society engagement

Madagascar (2007) Provision of legal research Legal aid Incorporating legal aid clinics within a traditional justice system

Malawi (2004) Provision of legal research Human rights State party reporting to human rights treaties

Malaysia (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Enacting laws on gender equality and sexual harassment

Maldives (2001) Identification of legal expert Banking law Establishing a regulatory framework for microcredit funds

Maldives (2004) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Revising the national criminal code

Maldives (2009) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Assessing the capacity needs of justice institutions

Maldives (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice Developing national civil code procedures

Maldives (2010) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Examining successful mechanisms for transitional justice

Maldives (2011) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Strengthening the justice sector

Maldives (2013) Identification of legal expert Human rights; Administrative law Developing a court monitoring program for the human rights commission

Mauritius (2000) Provision of legal research Criminal law Drafting laws for cross border prisoner transfers

Mexico (2006) Provision of legal research Administrative law Using social audits in public administration

Mexico (2009) Provision of legal research Elections Coordinating elections in a post-national emergency situation

Moldova (2006) Identification of legal expert Human rights Developing a human rights national plan of action

Moldova (2007) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Developing a five-year strategy for justice sector reform

Moldova (2012) Coordination of legislative assessment Environmental law Analyzing a draft law on chemicals

Mongolia (2001) Coordination of legislative assessment Communications law Evaluating a draft public radio and television law

Mongolia (2003) Provision of legal research Criminal law Comparing pre-trial detention standards

Mozambique (2003) Provision of legal research Administrative law National planning and amending budget system legislation

Mozambique (2004) Provision of legal research Health law; Security issues Addressing HIV/AIDS in the armed forces

Mozambique (2010) Provision of legal research Human rights; NGO law Drafting codes of conduct for human rights NGOs

Mozambique (2010) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Addressing the punitive aspects of HIV legislation

Nepal (2001) Provision of legal research Human rights; Criminal law Combating trafficking in persons

Nepal (2002) Identification of legal expert Alternative dispute resolution Utilizing community-based arbitration

Nepal (2003) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform; Commercial law Training the judiciary in cyberspace and copyright law

Nepal (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Financing local governance to improve service delivery

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Enshrining economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting public outreach activities to promote participatory constitution building

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Examining the constitutional status of the national human rights commission

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Criminal law; Human rights Drafting criminal provisions to ensure justice for victims

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Implementing community mediation projects

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Implementing a new federal structure in a post-conflict setting

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Criminal law; Human rights Developing a witness protection system and a victim support program

Nepal (2009) Provision of legal research Administrative law Supporting the directorate for execution of court judgments

Nepal (2010) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Ensuring the transparency and accountability of judiciary appointments

Nepal (2010) Provision of legal research Gender; Judicial reform Training judges and judicial personnel on gender-based violence

Nepal (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights Empowering local human rights defenders

Nepal (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice Increasing access to justice

Nepal UN Women (2011) Provision of legal research Gender; Access to justice Incorporating gender in transitional justice processes

Nepal UN CTED (2013)* Identification of legal expert Criminal law Increasing judicial capacity in the adjudication of terrorism cases

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Nepal (2013) Provision of legal research Legal aid Increasing access to justice through mediation and legal aid

Niger (2006) Identification of legal expert Human rights Creating a national plan of action for access to justice

Nigeria (2007) Provision of legal research Environmental law Drafting best practices for environmental country assessments

Nigeria (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law Strengthening civil society organizations’ response to HIV/AIDS

Nigeria (2012) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Conducting corruption risk assessments

Nigeria (2012) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Visualizing the costs of corruption

Pakistan (2003) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Building the capacity for budgeting and lobbying

Pakistan (2008) Identification of legal expert Alternative dispute resolution; Gender Building local capacity to address gender-based violence

Pakistan (2008) Provision of legal research Access to justice Strengthening the role of parliament in drafting pro-poor laws

Pakistan (2009) Provision of legal research Human rights Mainstreaming the rights of people with disabilities

Pakistan (2009) Provision of legal research Alternative dispute resolution; Gender Identifying community mediation projects with a gender perspective

Panama (2005) Identification of legal expert Trial advocacy; Access to justice Building capacity for public defenders

Paraguay (2006) Provision of legal research Property law Restituting property seized by the government

Paraguay (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Improving the structural innovation of the executive power

Peru (2002) Identification of legal expert Human rights; Criminal law Implementing an exhumation of remains project

Philippines-UN Women (2008) Provision of legal research Gender Accelerating rural, indigenous and Muslim women’s political participation

Rwanda (2001) Identification of legal expert Alternative dispute resolution Formulating a supreme court training program

Rwanda (2001) Identification of legal expert Alternative dispute resolution Supporting the national reconciliation commission

Rwanda (2008) Provision of legal research Gender Supporting the national gender monitoring office cycles

São Tomé & Príncipe (2005) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Reforming public sector planning

São Tomé & Príncipe (2009) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Developing judicial capacity and accountability

São Tomé & Príncipe (2010) Provision of legal research Access to justice Evaluating access to justice nationwide

Serbia (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law Comparing salary scales and careers for the civil service

Serbia (2005) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Assessing the magistrates’ support project

Serbia (2007) Identification of legal expert Human rights Evaluating the national anti-discrimination framework

Serbia (2007) Identification of legal expert Rule of law; Judicial reform Providing access to justice for past mistreatments

Serbia (2007) Identification of legal expert Commercial law Assessing the national investment plan

Serbia (2007) Provision of legal research Environmental law Establishing a legal framework for sustainable use of natural resources

Serbia (2009) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Evaluating a UNDP program on fostering democratic governance and sustainable development

Serbia (2010) Provision of legal research Alternative dispute resolution; Human rights Utilizing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for economic and social rights

Sierra Leone (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law Developing cabinet procedures

Solomon Islands (2011) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Strengthening government institutions

South Sudan (2011) Provision of legal research Law enforcement administration Training law enforcement on gender sensitivity

St. Vincent & Grenadines (2001) Identification of legal expert Anti-corruption Developing an anti-corruption national plan of action

Sudan (2004) Provision of legal research Law enforcement administration Re-establishing community policing in post-conflict societies

Sudan (2006) Identification of legal expert Rule of law Establishing a post-conflict legal framework

Sudan (2007) Identification of legal expert Rule of law Capacity building for governance, decentralization and judicial reform

Sudan (2007) Provision of legal research Legal aid Implementing a legal aid system

Sudan (2008) Identification of legal expert Rule of law Evaluating the impact of a UNDP rule of law program

Sudan (2008) Provision of legal research Gender Advancing gender equality in on-going conflict and post-conflict situations

Sudan (2008) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Supporting the establishment of a national judicial service commission

Sudan (2008) Provision of legal research Juvenile justice Establishing a restorative justice system for children

Sudan (2009) Identification of legal expert Legal profession Designing a law library

Sudan (2009) Provision of legal research Gender; Elections Supporting women candidates in elections in a post-conflict country

Sudan (2009) Coordination of legislative assessment Legal aid Supporting legislative drafting and building a legal aid system






Sudan (2010) Coordination of legislative assessment Election law Defining the criteria for residency for migratory groups to determine voting eligibility

Sudan (2010) Coordination of legislative assessment Election law

Sudan (2010) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Training on the role and functions of parliament

Sudan (2012) Identification of legal expert Good governance

Suriname (2000) Identification of legal expert Environmental law Developing environmentally sound resource extraction

Tajikistan (2006) Provision of legal research Disability law Ensuring the legal rights of the disabled

Tajikistan (2007) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Providing legislative support for anti-corruption strategies

Tanzania (2003) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Comparing court systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania (2011) Coordination of legislative assessment Anti-corruption

Thailand (2011) Provision of legal research Rule of law; Access to justice Establishing a law reform committee

Timor-Leste (2001) Identification of legal expert Election law Conducting civic education and assisting with elections

Timor-Leste (2002) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Assessing and building the capacity of the judicial sector

Timor-Leste (2004) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Drafting a procedural handbook for parliament

Timor-Leste (2004) Identification of legal expert NGO law Creating regulatory mechanisms for NGOs and CSOs

Timor-Leste (2007) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Providing legislative support for anti-corruption strategies

Timor-Leste (2008) Provision of legal research Criminal law Advising on the investigatory power of the national human rights institution

Timor-Leste (2008) Provision of legal research Human rights

Timor-Leste (2008) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Developing mentoring guidelines for training the national judiciary

Timor-Leste-UNMIT (2009)* Provision of legal research Legal profession Facilitating the establishment of an independent bar association

Timor-Leste (2009) Provision of legal research Alternative dispute resolution; Human rights Mediating human rights cases

Timor-Leste (2011) Identification of legal expert Human rights Researching discrimination tests applied by human rights mechanisms

Tunisia (2008) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Developing a legal rights and services manual for HIV/AIDS patients

Turkey (2008) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Incorporating plea bargaining in the criminal justice system

Turkey (2013) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Undertaking an impact assessment of the judicial reform process

Turkmenistan (2001) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Turkmenistan (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights; Access to justice Increasing knowledge on the rights of persons with disabilities

Uganda (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law Comparing regulatory frameworks

Ukraine (2003) Provision of legal research Health law; Juvenile justice Implementing HIV/AIDS education for juvenile offenders

Ukraine (2004) Provision of legal research Discrimination; Communications Balancing the media, right to privacy and HIV/AIDS

Ukraine (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Integrating gender sensitivity in education and developing capacity to prevent gender-based violence

United Arab Emirates (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Strengthening parliamentarians’ relationship with the media

Uruguay (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Promoting gender equality in the work place

Uzbekistan (2006) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Utilizing ombudspersons in the penal system

Uzbekistan (2008) Provision of legal research Property law

Uzbekistan (2008) Provision of legal research Children’s rights

Uzbekistan (2011) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Collaborating with non-government stakeholders in decision-making processes

Uzbekistan (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law

Viet Nam (2008) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Assessing the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS

Viet Nam (2008) Provision of legal research Legislative drafting techniques Improving civil service legislation

Viet Nam (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for laws on domestic violence and gender equality

Yemen (2002) Identification of legal expert Human rights

Yemen (2006) Provision of legal research Human rights Harmonizing domestic laws with international instruments

Yemen (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights Comparing findings on human rights public awareness surveys

Zambia (2007) Provision of legal research Good governance



* Listed UN acronym: UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)

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Sudan (2010) Coordination of legislative assessment Election law Defining the criteria for residency for migratory groups to determine voting eligibility

Sudan (2010) Coordination of legislative assessment Election law Determining the eligibility to vote

Sudan (2010) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Training on the role and functions of parliament

Sudan (2012) Identification of legal expert Good governance Assessing governance and the rule of law

Suriname (2000) Identification of legal expert Environmental law Developing environmentally sound resource extraction

Tajikistan (2006) Provision of legal research Disability law Ensuring the legal rights of the disabled

Tajikistan (2007) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Providing legislative support for anti-corruption strategies

Tanzania (2003) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Comparing court systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania (2011) Coordination of legislative assessment Anti-corruption Reviewing the draft bill on anti-corruption

Thailand (2011) Provision of legal research Rule of law; Access to justice Establishing a law reform committee

Timor-Leste (2001) Identification of legal expert Election law Conducting civic education and assisting with elections

Timor-Leste (2002) Identification of legal expert Judicial reform Assessing and building the capacity of the judicial sector

Timor-Leste (2004) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Drafting a procedural handbook for parliament

Timor-Leste (2004) Identification of legal expert NGO law Creating regulatory mechanisms for NGOs and CSOs

Timor-Leste (2007) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Providing legislative support for anti-corruption strategies

Timor-Leste (2008) Provision of legal research Criminal law Advising on the investigatory power of the national human rights institution

Timor-Leste (2008) Provision of legal research Human rights Establishing a human rights monitoring network

Timor-Leste (2008) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Developing mentoring guidelines for training the national judiciary

Timor-Leste-UNMIT (2009)* Provision of legal research Legal profession Facilitating the establishment of an independent bar association

Timor-Leste (2009) Provision of legal research Mediating human rights cases

Timor-Leste (2011) Identification of legal expert Human rights Researching discrimination tests applied by human rights mechanisms

Tunisia (2008) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Developing a legal rights and services manual for HIV/AIDS patients

Turkey (2008) Identification of legal expert Criminal law Incorporating plea bargaining in the criminal justice system

Turkey (2013) Identification of legal expert Administration of justice Undertaking an impact assessment of the judicial reform process

Turkmenistan (2001) Provision of legal research Administrative law Reporting on pension system reform

Turkmenistan (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights; Access to justice Increasing knowledge on the rights of persons with disabilities

Uganda (2004) Provision of legal research Administrative law Comparing regulatory frameworks

Ukraine (2003) Provision of legal research Health law; Juvenile justice Implementing HIV/AIDS education for juvenile offenders

Ukraine (2004) Provision of legal research Discrimination; Communications Balancing the media, right to privacy and HIV/AIDS

Ukraine (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Integrating gender sensitivity in education and developing capacity to prevent gender-based violence

United Arab Emirates (2008) Provision of legal research Administrative law Strengthening parliamentarians’ relationship with the media

Uruguay (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Promoting gender equality in the work place

Uzbekistan (2006) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Utilizing ombudspersons in the penal system

Uzbekistan (2008) Provision of legal research Property law Supporting the national land reclamation fund

Uzbekistan (2008) Provision of legal research Children’s rights Drafting the law on the rights of the youth

Uzbekistan (2011) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Collaborating with non-government stakeholders in decision-making processes

Uzbekistan (2012) Provision of legal research Administrative law Designing laws on civil service

Viet Nam (2008) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Assessing the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS

Viet Nam (2008) Provision of legal research Legislative drafting techniques Improving civil service legislation

Viet Nam (2009) Provision of legal research Gender Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for laws on domestic violence and gender equality

Yemen (2002) Identification of legal expert Human rights Conceptualizing a human rights training

Yemen (2006) Provision of legal research Human rights Harmonizing domestic laws with international instruments

Yemen (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights Comparing findings on human rights public awareness surveys

Zambia (2007) Provision of legal research Good governance Developing governance indicators


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UNDP HEADQUARTERS/REGIONAL OFFICES and UN ENTITY HEADQUARTERS

UNDP/APRC (2006)* Identification of legal expert Human rights Training on HIV/AIDS and legal rights

UNDP/APRC (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Legal aid Providing legal aid to female prisoners

UNDP/BRC (2009) Provision of legal research Alternative dispute resolution Identifying alternative dispute resolution training institutions in Europe and the CIS region

UNDP/BRC (2010) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption; Human rights Linking national human rights institutions and anti-corruption agencies

UNDP/BRC (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice Promoting access to justice for persons with disabilities

UNDP/BRC (2012) Provision of legal research Environmental law Assessing governance in the water sector

UNDG/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights Mapping UN agency tools for mainstreaming human rights

UNDP/HQ (2006) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Developing a funding framework for criminal justice

UNDP/HQ (2007) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Developing judicial ratio standards

UNDP/HQ (2007) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Assessing national HIV/AIDS strategies

UNDP/HQ (2008) Provision of legal research Gender; Anti-corruption Combating corruption and promoting gender equality

UNDP/HQ (2009) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Supporting governments in formulating the legal and regulatory frameworks for civil society

UNDP/HQ (2009) Provision of legal research Elections; Gender Addressing gender inequality in electoral and other governance processes

UNDP/HQ (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Defining the role of parliamentarians in development effectiveness

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Good governance Committing to good governance

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Rule of law Transitioning from civil to common law

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Administrative law Discussing the relationship between illicit financial flows and development

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Rule of law; Access to justice Revising approaches to rule of law and transitional justice

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Gender; Environmental law Applying a gender lens to climate change and conflict

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Assessing the challenges and results of capacity development interventions

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Legal aid Improving early access to legal aid in criminal investigations and proceedings

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Access to justice Mapping the state of provision of legal aid

UNDP/OGC (2011) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Addressing corruption in harbors and international ports of entry

UNDP/PAPP (2009) Provision of legal research Legal profession; Access to justice Establishing legal aid clinics

UNDP/POGAR (2010) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Implementing whistleblower protection systems

UNDP/RSC-LAC (2005) Identification of legal expert Access to justice Training on public or class action litigation techniques

UN/OHCHR (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights; Anti-corruption Using human rights approaches to fight corruption

UN/PBSO (2012) Provision of legal research Gender; Security Issues Ensuring gender-responsive rule of law programming

UN WOMEN/HQ (2011) Identification of legal expert Access to justice; Gender Reviewing modules on justice and security sectors

OTHER COLLABORATIONS

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

ABA Justice Defenders Identification of legal experts Human rights; Access to justice

WORLD BANK GROUP

Benchmarking Public Procurement Identification of legal experts Public procurement; Contract law

Debt Resolution and Business Exit Program Identification of legal experts Mediation; Alternative dispute resolution

Doing Business Identification of legal experts Commercial law; Contract law; Employment law; Accounting law

Women, Business and the Law Identification of legal experts Gender; Family law; Employment law

WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT

World Justice Project Identification of legal experts Civil law; Commercial law; Criminal justice; Labor law; Health law



*Listed UN acronyms: Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (APRC) • Bratislava Regional Center (BRC) • Headquarters (HQ) • UN Development Group (UNDG) • Oslo Governance Centre (OGC) • Programme Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) • Progamme on Governance in the Arab Region (POGAR) • UNDP Regional Service Center for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNDP/RSC-LAC) • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) • UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO)




UNDP HEADQUARTERS/REGIONAL OFFICES and UN ENTITY HEADQUARTERS

UNDP/APRC (2006)* Identification of legal expert Human rights Training on HIV/AIDS and legal rights

UNDP/APRC (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Legal aid Providing legal aid to female prisoners

UNDP/BRC (2009) Provision of legal research Alternative dispute resolution Identifying alternative dispute resolution training institutions in Europe and the CIS region

UNDP/BRC (2010) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption; Human rights Linking national human rights institutions and anti-corruption agencies

UNDP/BRC (2011) Provision of legal research Access to justice Promoting access to justice for persons with disabilities

UNDP/BRC (2012) Provision of legal research Environmental law Assessing governance in the water sector

UNDG/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights Mapping UN agency tools for mainstreaming human rights

UNDP/HQ (2006) Identification of legal expert Administrative law Developing a funding framework for criminal justice

UNDP/HQ (2007) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Developing judicial ratio standards

UNDP/HQ (2007) Provision of legal research Health law; Human rights Assessing national HIV/AIDS strategies

UNDP/HQ (2008) Provision of legal research Gender; Anti-corruption Combating corruption and promoting gender equality

UNDP/HQ (2009) Provision of legal research Administration of justice Supporting governments in formulating the legal and regulatory frameworks for civil society

UNDP/HQ (2009) Provision of legal research Elections; Gender Addressing gender inequality in electoral and other governance processes

UNDP/HQ (2010) Provision of legal research Administrative law Defining the role of parliamentarians in development effectiveness

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Good governance Committing to good governance

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Rule of law Transitioning from civil to common law

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Administrative law Discussing the relationship between illicit financial flows and development

UNDP/HQ (2011) Provision of legal research Rule of law; Access to justice Revising approaches to rule of law and transitional justice

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Gender; Environmental law Applying a gender lens to climate change and conflict

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Judicial reform Assessing the challenges and results of capacity development interventions

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Access to justice; Legal aid Improving early access to legal aid in criminal investigations and proceedings

UNDP/HQ (2013) Provision of legal research Access to justice Mapping the state of provision of legal aid

UNDP/OGC (2011)* Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Addressing corruption in harbors and international ports of entry

UNDP/PAPP (2009) Provision of legal research Legal profession; Access to justice Establishing legal aid clinics

UNDP/POGAR (2010) Provision of legal research Anti-corruption Implementing whistleblower protection systems

UNDP/RSC-LAC (2005) Identification of legal expert Access to justice Training on public or class action litigation techniques

UN/OHCHR (2011) Provision of legal research Human rights; Anti-corruption Using human rights approaches to fight corruption

UN/PBSO (2012) Provision of legal research Gender; Security Issues Ensuring gender-responsive rule of law programming

UN WOMEN/HQ (2011) Identification of legal expert Access to justice; Gender Reviewing modules on justice and security sectors



ABA Justice Defenders Identification of legal experts Human rights; Access to justice

WORLD BANK GROUP

Benchmarking Public Procurement Identification of legal experts Public procurement; Contract law

Debt Resolution and Business Exit Program Identification of legal experts

Doing Business Identification of legal experts Commercial law; Contract law; Employment law; Accounting law

Women, Business and the Law Identification of legal experts Gender; Family law; Employment law

WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT

World Justice Project Identification of legal experts Labor law; Health law


for Human Rights (OHCHR) • UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO)

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In the aftermath of a deadly incident on a UN facility in October 2010, attracting good quality professionals had become even more challenging. UNDP/Afghanistan approached the ILRC to seek their assistance with the recruitment of experts with backgrounds in law and justice. The justice sector in particular had severely suffered from this incident. The ILRC’s response was rapid and effective. We were able to identify top-notch lawyers in a relatively short timeframe. As a result of this support, UNDP/Afghanistan was able to quickly mobilize the requisite human capacity to continue its work in the justice sector.

Ahmad Masood Amer

Assistant Country Director

UNDP/Afghanistan

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2010 – 2013 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

AFGHANISTAN 2010Building the Capacity of Parliamentarians

The Afghan Parliament was inaugurated in December 2005 with enormous support provided by UNDP. As part of its continued support to build an effective parliament, UNDP/Afghanistan requested further expertise. Along with other experts, the ILRC expert participated in a five-day orientation session attended by over 200 parliamentarians. The ILRC expert presented on best practices and discussed the important role parliament plays in peacebuilding. Additionally, consultations were carried out with relevant stakeholders related to the development of the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. The expert also conducted institutional capacity assessments for the implementation of the plan as well as an in-depth analysis of the political environment and achievements of the Afghan Parliament in recent years.

AFGHANISTAN 2010Centralizing the National Justice Programs

With the growth of its justice portfolio, UNDP/Afghanistan sought to consolidate all the justice projects. Two ILRC experts were selected to serve as a Senior Justice and Human Rights Project Manager and a District Level Component (DLC) Manager. The project consolidated the justice sector into a National Justice Programme (NJP) and required the ILRC candidate to provide high-level leadership and vision for UNDP’s engagement in the Afghan justice sector. The first merged project at the central level focused on capacity building of the three government justice institutions. The second project addressed access to justice at the district level, which strengthened citizens’ capacity to utilize the existing justice delivery systems. The third merged project assisted the Afghan Government to systematically expand rule of law beyond Kabul and improve provincial justice assistance delivery. Overall, the consolidation was intended to improve the coordination of justice reform in Afghanistan. In assisting with the NJP formation, the ILRC expert played the leadership role in all aspects of project delivery, strategic planning, resource mobilization and technical assistance for this critical area of work for UNDP.

AFGHANISTAN 2010Developing Judicial Capacity at District and Local Levels

With the consolidation of the justice projects in Afghanistan, new structures and activities were set out under a new project Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan (JHRA). The JHRA project increases the capacity of the three national justice institutions (the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office) to better contribute to the justice reform process and the realization of human rights in Afghanistan. The DLC works with these three institutions on the district-level to improve justice infrastructure, train district justice officials and conduct legal awareness activities on the community level.The DLC also builds courthouses and secures judicial residences and other key infrastructure projects in remote districts. Under the supervision of the Senior JHRA Project Manager (highlighted above), another ILRC expert served as the DLC Manager. In this capacity, the ILRC expert facilitated the day-to-day functions of the DLC team and was responsible for management results delivery, capacity development for institutional reforms and development, policy reforms and development services, analytical national knowledge products, building partnerships and resource mobilization.

AFGHANISTAN 2010Strengthening Accountability and Quality Assurance Mechanisms in the Judiciary

The internal Afghan Inspection and Control Department, which provides quality assurance over courts and acts as a watchdog to detect judicial fraud


JHRA Delegation to the Faryab Province, October 2010.


and corruption, requested that UNDP support its capacity building efforts. Independence of the oversight body was a key consideration for an effective watchdog organization. The ILRC report provided comparative examples of similar oversight mechanisms such as the Bulgarian Judiciary and International Criminal Court. The report also addressed concerns of observing human rights in the system, including: a right to a fair trial, general impartiality of the legal process, the prohibition on detention without trial, prohibition on inhumane or degrading treatment and other general well-accepted rights of accused persons in the context of criminal prosecutions. An important accomplishment from a Timor-Leste project that improved independent oversight was highlighted because of the project’s development of an office with the ability to refer cases of corruption or human rights violations to the Prosecutor General.

AFGHANISTAN 2011Enhancing Civil Society’s Capacity to Fight Corruption

UNDP/Afghanistan Accountability and Transparency Project sought to strengthen the capacity of civil society actors and media to more effectively engage in policy dialogues and advocate for greater transparency and accountability. In its effort to do so, UNDP/Afghanistan requested examples of best practices and lessons learned, as well as relevant toolkits and training materials. Given the plethora of available information, the ILRC report narrowed the information down to three areas: a) relevant toolkits and training materials for conducting civil society organizations (CSO) capacity assessments in the area of accountability; b) training materials to strengthen the CSO role in policy reform and decision making at national and subnational levels; and c) relevant tools and capacity development initiatives that aim to engage CSO both technically and operationally with the state to enhance accountability and transparency demand.

AFGHANISTAN 2013Implementing Street Vending Policies and Legislation

A component on the legal empowerment of the poor, with a particular focus on economic, social and cultural rights, was supported by the JHRA Project. The efforts of this diverse group of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Labor


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for the standards of service to domestic violence victims and their family members, and for the financial support of the shelter. Extensive collaboration was needed with civil society and government ministries involved in the initial drafting of the protection order and the mandate for the shelter.

ALBANIA (UN WOMEN) 2010Training Trainers on Gender Equality

UN Women established a partnership with the Albanian School of Magistrates to improve understanding and knowledge of national and international gender equality obligations and their roles in implementation and enforcement. Without enforcement, the passage of the laws is not sufficient; so focus turned to the judges as one way to ensure enforcement. After revising the curriculum in accordance with these obligations, UN Women decided to conduct a series of Training-of-Trainers (TOT) on the revised curriculum. The ILRC expert finalized the training agenda and prepared training modules, presentations and materials for the TOT manual, including training in skills transfer. Feedback was provided after the trainings and changes were incorporated into the agenda prior to the subsequent trainings. Consequently, it was evident that more emphasis was needed to improve comprehension of integrating national and international obligations while observing cases. The second testing results showed that participants had an improved understanding of international law and norms related to gender equality.

BAHRAIN 2010Improving the Central Functions of Parliament

Following a series of assessments, UNDP initiated a capacity-building project with the Parliament of Bahrain. As a relatively young parliament, it was important to ensure quality legislation through the development of strategic, business and work plans for all institutional units to guide both chambers of parliament. UNDP initiated a project with parliament to support both chambers’ secretariat by strengthening the parliamentary staff capacities as well as the capacities and human resources of the parliamentarian secretariat. The ILRC expert, both a senator and former MP, reviewed and commented on the draft strategic plan documents of the secretariat and other departments. He also led the strategic planning exercises with each Chamber, Secretary Generals and both speakers of the Majlis-ash-

General.

AFGHANISTAN 2011Enhancing Civil Society’s Capacity to Fight Corruption

and transparency demand.

AFGHANISTAN 2013Implementing Street Vending Policies and Legislation

and Social Solidarity, Kabul Municipality, National Police, Members of Parliament (MP), the Chamber of Commerce and street vendor representative, resulted in the institutionalization of a Technical Committee anchored to the Kabul Municipality. This Committee is mandated to generate policy discussions regarding legal, economic and social empowerment of street vendors to create a conducive and enabling environment for one of the lowest levels of the informal economy, namely street vendors. UNDP wanted to draw from experiences from other countries on street vending policies, legislation and the processes undertaken to design and implement such legislation. The ILRC provided research papers, books and scholarly articles discussing best practices of street vending policies in countries that have tried to legally, economically and socially empower street vendors. The ILRC report shared experiences from around the world, particularly from Mexico, South Africa and India. The examples discussed these issues amongst others: the provision of legal status to street vendors; statistics on street vendors throughout the world demonstrating the share of employed persons in street vending; a comparison of policies regarding the informal work settings; the use of statistics to promote recognition of the working poor in informal work settings in hopes to incorporate them into the policy-making and rule-setting processes; the inclusion of street vendors in urban planning schemes because of the high impact of street workers on the economy and city culture; and the inclusion of street workers in redesign of an area, rather than evicting them.

ALBANIA 2010Drafting the Regulatory Framework for the New Domestic Violence Refuge

In 2008, the Albanian Government adopted a new and improved Gender Equality Law. One key part of its implementation provided government shelters for domestic violence victims. Albania needed technical support to ensure effective implementation and other advances in their legal framework. Working alongside UNDP, the ILRC expert drafted regulatory framework for a new domestic violence refuge. The ILRC expert was responsible for developing building security plans; internal regulation for beneficiaries and personnel; personnel TOR; intake forms; procedures and admission criteria; model agreements between beneficiaries, shelter management for full-time and part-time personnel; case management forms and instructions; and a normative act


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Shura Council and conducted workshops using TOT methodology. For the workshops, participants were divided into groups and the sessions were set up using interactive methods to encourage discussion of key issues for consideration in the strategic plan development. Feedback indicated that the presentations were well received. The second phase entailed technical support to draft the strategic plan.

BANGLADESH 2010Advancing Pro-poor Legislation on Evictions and Resettlement

According to UNDP, millions live in slum squatter settlements in Bangladesh. While Dhaka’s informal sector provides employment for Bangladeshi working poor, the benefits accrued to the city’s economy are often overlooked. Civil society, together with UNDP, urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law to consider an urban-poor agenda. The ILRC report provided a list of internationally accepted standards for lawful eviction and resettlement laws and policies. Anti-eviction laws and policies were shared from Brazil, India, Israel, Malaysia, Palestinian Territories and South Africa. The report suggested that the restrictions and bans on forceful evictions of illegal tenants (including slum dwellers) without adequate compensation be promulgated in the national constitution and encouraged the implementation of internationally accepted standards for protection of slum dwellers and other similar strategies.

BANGLADESH 2012Understanding Informal Governance Systems

UNDP/Bangladesh’s studies in good governance found the role of both formal and informal governance systems very evident in Bangladesh. To further their studies, UNDP sought to define informal governance and determine what legitimizes structures and systems as formal governance systems. The ILRC report listed over fifteen academic research papers and reports from multilateral institutions as resources for the purpose of providing diverse theoretical and analytical insights into the concept of informal and formal governance. The legal origin of formal and informal institutions differs from country to country as does the influence of informal governance systems in the economic, political and social arenas. While discussions about informal governance in developing nations are not uncommon, reports were shared that discussed the relevance of

While working on projects such as reforms of anti-eviction laws in Bangladesh and development of a transparent judicial system in Nepal (pg 54), I was able to learn about challenges that developing countries are facing in the process of achieving the MDGs. This experience was crucial for my graduate studies and later work in the field of international law.

Vladislav Tomic

Novi Sad, Serbia

It was a great experience to document lessons learned and share best practices of other countries’ previous accession to the WTO from Eastern Europe and from around the world (such as Armenia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and Ukraine). My assignment also involved conducting comparative analyses of all the relevant IP provisions in Belarus’ legal system and of other WTO Members, indicating the necessary steps toward a deeper harmonization of Belarus’ legal framework for its future WTO accession.

Paolo Farah

Miron, Italy



informal governance in modern society, including the role of informal governance in the European Union (EU) and Australia. Particular case studies and models of informal governance were also shared from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kenya, Micronesia, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Somalia and South Africa.

BELARUS 2012Assessing Compliance to the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Working jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNDP/Belarus partnered to implement a project supporting Belarus’ accession to the WTO through strengthening national institutional capacity and expertise. UNDP had provided extensive assistance to assess the possible implications of accession to WTO and raised public awareness about the WTO accession process. Supplementary assistance was provided by an ILRC expert to coordinate the studies of a working group on the legal aspects of trade in goods on the assessment of conformity of the Belarusian legislation with the norms of baseline WTO Agreements. In a collaborative effort with Intellectual Property (IP) legal experts, UNDP/Belarus explored the possibility of assessing the general best practices adopted in the accession negotiations to the WTO, with particular focus on IP legislation. The objective of the project was to define which legislative and administrative reforms Belarus should undertake in order to harmonize its current IP framework in compliance with the WTO Agreements, especially the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (commonly referred to as TRIPS). Working from his home base, the ILRC expert provided several analytical reports and travelled twice to Minsk to participate in an international roundtable discussing compliance of national legislation with the norms of baseline WTO agreements.

BELARUS 2013Developing Specialized Courts

UNDP/Belarus examined the feasibility of improving the country’s court system through the development of specialized courts. The objective was to promote access to justice for Belarusians, and particularly for the socially vulnerable. A document conceptualizing the framework for the implementation of the specialization project was developed by The Institute for Re-Training and Upgrading Qualifications of Judges and Prosecutors and Legal Professionals at the Belarusian State University.


Shura Council and conducted workshops using TOT methodology. For the workshops, participants were divided into groups and the sessions were set up using interactive methods to encourage discussion of key issues for consideration in the strategic plan development. Feedback indicated that the presentations were well received. The second phase entailed technical support to draft the strategic plan.

BANGLADESH 2010Advancing Pro-poor Legislation on Evictions and Resettlement

According to UNDP, millions live in slum squatter settlements in Bangladesh. While Dhaka’s informal sector provides employment for Bangladeshi working poor, the benefits accrued to the city’s economy are often overlooked. Civil society, together with UNDP, urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law to consider an urban-poor agenda. The ILRC report provided a list of internationally accepted standards for lawful eviction and resettlement laws and policies. Anti-eviction laws and policies were shared from Brazil, India, Israel, Malaysia, Palestinian Territories and South Africa. The report suggested that the restrictions and bans on forceful evictions of illegal tenants (including slum dwellers) without adequate compensation be promulgated in the national constitution and encouraged the implementation of internationally accepted standards for protection of slum dwellers and other similar strategies.

BANGLADESH 2012Understanding Informal Governance Systems

UNDP/Bangladesh’s studies in good governance found the role of both formal and informal governance systems very evident in Bangladesh. To further their studies, UNDP sought to define informal governance and determine what legitimizes structures and systems as formal governance systems. The ILRC report listed over fifteen academic research papers and reports from multilateral institutions as resources for the purpose of providing diverse theoretical and analytical insights into the concept of informal and formal governance. The legal origin of formal and informal institutions differs from country to country as does the influence of informal governance systems in the economic, political and social arenas. While discussions about informal governance in developing nations are not uncommon, reports were shared that discussed the relevance of

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result, there was a need for TOR related to lobbying, communication techniques and leadership; formulating and implementing gender-sensitive laws and reinforcing the capacity of the secretariat. The ILRC shared research and numerous gender and parliamentary related TOR to serve as guidelines in their own TOR development.

COLOMBIA (UN WOMEN) 2011Funding Strategies for Gender-based Violence Shelters

UN Women in Colombia found it expensive to maintain and support traditional shelters for victims of GBV, so alternative models to fund GBV shelters were needed. The ILRC provided a report with strategies for sustainable financing, including funding streams from the government, PPP, academic institutions and licensing fees, among others. In the report, examples of alternative models for shelter and GBV responses were provided as well as guidelines and goals for shelters. The report referenced over fifteen country examples and concluded with suggestions and further measures for UN Women to consider while developing their GBV action plan. Additionally, the report covered useful information related to GBV shelters such as incorporating primary prevention and implementing laws for perpetrators of GBV.

CONGO D.R. (DRC) 2011Promoting Women and Children’s Participation in Local Governance

The program on decentralization and local development in the Congo aimed to emphasize gender and involvement of women and children in the health and education sectors. To this end, UNDP needed useful information to apply to the Congolese context. The ILRC provided four previously submitted reports to UNDP country offices in Chile, Ethiopia, Guinea and the Sudan and several resource links related to enhancing the role of women in government.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE 2011Revising the Legal Aid System

In Côte d’Ivoire, the judicial sector reform efforts focused on increasing access to justice and promoting an independent judiciary. The legal aid system is characterized by excessive centralization and vagueness of eligibility criteria. Given this criticism, UNDP efforts focused on legal aid and a functional framework for legal

UNDP sought international experts to review and critique the concept paper before presenting the findings at a roundtable event.

In June 2013, three ILRC experts travelled to Minsk to present their findings at a roundtable attended by members of the Institute, Belarusian State University legal professionals, judges and UNDP officials. The presentation of the expert, a judge, explored the concept paper’s goals and proposals with respect to the technical aspects of the projected courts, and discussed best international practice standards in the relevant areas. Another ILRC expert, a retired judge, gave a lecture at the Institute focused on the importance of juvenile and family courts, while emphasizing the necessity of developing courts which are uniquely fitted to Belarus’s specific cultural context. The final expert, legal counsel with the Government of British Columbia, provided a gender-focused review of the court’s specialization project as set out in the concept paper, stressing the importance of maintaining international standards of gender equality as one of the project’s foundational principles as it moves forward. The presentation marked the first gender-focused review for this UNDP office.

BOTSWANA 2012Establishing an effective HIV/AIDS Public-Private Partnership

Botswana had made significant strides in managing the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The rise in costs of HIV/AIDS treatment led Botswana to consider innovative options such as public private partnerships (PPP) for sustainable financing to manage the epidemic. With more than 80% of the treatment costs covered by the national development budget, the

government was under pressure from other competing national needs. Together with UNDP, the government sought to mobilize private sector resources through the development of a PPP. The ILRC compiled information models of commendable PPP in the area of national or local HIV/AIDS responses; best practices and experiences in establishing PPP; key stakeholders that should be engaged in PPP and common issues experienced in implementing partnerships. Additionally, some tools and recommendations for a successful partnership were provided—examples included PPP between governments, non-profit organizations and private sector partners regarding these varying aspects. Partnerships with the private sector can entail very different aspects of the HIV/AIDS response, such as prevention, treatment, care, research and financing. The ILRC report also recommended legislative and contractual frameworks and public policy with regard to PPP; transparent and comprehensible procurement and resource allocation; and civil society inclusion in the development process of the partnership. Based on the wide scope of PPP, a review of the models, resources and databases provided an in-depth analysis to help determine partnership best suited for their response to HIV/AIDS.

BHUTAN (UN Population Fund) 2010Sensitizing Parliamentarians to Gender Implications

The UN Population Fund office in Bhutan planned to incorporate a gender-sensitization workshop for high-level executives and policy and planning heads as a reminder to mainstream gender in policy and decision making. The ILRC delivered a report providing evidence on promoting equality and incorporation of gender implications. Examples were shared from India, Indonesia and Malaysia, with specific attention on inequalities faced by women. Among the recommendations for future programming were the promotion of gender equality in primary and secondary education curricula and the allocation of resources using gender-sensitive approaches.

BURUNDI (UN WOMEN) 2010Supporting the Newly Elected Female Parliamentarians

In Burundi, UN Women had organized activities to reinforce the capacities of parliamentarian women to perform their daily work and reinforce the institutional capacity of the secretariat to mainstream gender. As a


ILRC experts presenting recommendations toward further improvement of the legislation and practice in the administration of justice in Belarus.



result, there was a need for TOR related to lobbying, communication techniques and leadership; formulating and implementing gender-sensitive laws and reinforcing the capacity of the secretariat. The ILRC shared research and numerous gender and parliamentary related TOR to serve as guidelines in their own TOR development.

COLOMBIA (UN WOMEN) 2011Funding Strategies for Gender-based Violence Shelters

UN Women in Colombia found it expensive to maintain and support traditional shelters for victims of GBV, so alternative models to fund GBV shelters were needed. The ILRC provided a report with strategies for sustainable financing, including funding streams from the government, PPP, academic institutions and licensing fees, among others. In the report, examples of alternative models for shelter and GBV responses were provided as well as guidelines and goals for shelters. The report referenced over fifteen country examples and concluded with suggestions and further measures for UN Women to consider while developing their GBV action plan. Additionally, the report covered useful information related to GBV shelters such as incorporating primary prevention and implementing laws for perpetrators of GBV.

CONGO D.R. (DRC) 2011Promoting Women and Children’s Participation in Local Governance

The program on decentralization and local development in the Congo aimed to emphasize gender and involvement of women and children in the health and education sectors. To this end, UNDP needed useful information to apply to the Congolese context. The ILRC provided four previously submitted reports to UNDP country offices in Chile, Ethiopia, Guinea and the Sudan and several resource links related to enhancing the role of women in government.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE 2011Revising the Legal Aid System

In Côte d’Ivoire, the judicial sector reform efforts focused on increasing access to justice and promoting an independent judiciary. The legal aid system is characterized by excessive centralization and vagueness of eligibility criteria. Given this criticism, UNDP efforts focused on legal aid and a functional framework for legal

aid revision. To that end, additional information was needed on drafting or reviewing legal aid in a civil law system. The ILRC shared its experience and results from analyzing Sudan’s Draft Law on Legal Aid in 2009, where experts specifically indicated that the scope of several provisions in the draft law needed to be substantially expanded in order to meet international standards of comprehensive legal aid programs. Additionally, the legal experts expressed concern that the draft law failed to address the complicated sensitivities in Sudan related to religion and ethnicity, and that it should encompass some of the traditional dispute resolution mechanisms used in rural areas, rather than focusing only on the formal legal system. The aforementioned were a few points for UNDP/Côte d’Ivoire to take into consideration during the revision process. The ILRC also shared with UNDP/Côte d’Ivoire commentary from an ILRC expert who had played a pivotal role in the review of Sudan’s Draft Law on Legal Aid.

CROATIA 2010Merging Independent Statutory Bodies and Government Offices in the Human Rights Field

UNDP sought to learn the pros and cons of merging independent statutory bodies and government offices that handled children’s rights, gender equality and rights of persons with disabilities that were currently functioning independently. To assist UNDP in developing recommendations on the possible merger of Croatia’s official human rights institutions, the ILRC report shared recent experiences from other countries regarding mergers or considered mergers, which enabled UNDP/Croatia staff and local partners to understand their options and possible outcomes. Analyses were shared from Guyana, Ireland, Rwanda and the U.S. The report concluded with a comprehensive list of thought-provoking questions to determine whether the merger of human rights institutions was a good option.

EL SALVADOR 2011Setting a Public Budget for Implementing Gender-based Violence Law

In 2011, El Salvador began to implement the Violence Against Women (VAW) Law. The institution charged with ensuring the full enforcement of the VAW Law sought assistance from UNDP in the national law and policies’ implementation budget. The funds negotiation with the Ministry of Finance’s public budget was critical, so they sought examples of country experiences and best

suited for their response to HIV/AIDS.

BHUTAN (UN Population Fund) 2010Sensitizing Parliamentarians to Gender Implications

approaches.

BURUNDI (UN WOMEN) 2010Supporting the Newly Elected Female Parliamentarians


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In 2011, the Regional Center of UNDP for Latin America and the Caribbean and the ILRC provided technical assistance related to systematizing experiences and tools on costing and budgeting the implementation of national laws and policies on VAW and GBV. This knowledge was useful for implementing the VAW legislation in El Salvador.

Ivonne Urriola Pérez

Especialista Técnica de Género

PNUD Centro Regional LAC

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practices in public budgeting for the implementation of related laws. The ILRC provided fifteen regional and country experiences along with resources and best practices for gender-responsive budgeting. Furthermore, the ILRC also suggested several methodologies that would best meet El Salvador’s needs.

ETHIOPIA 2011Establishing a Governance System for the Forestry Sector

With the abundance of carbon stock found in Ethiopia’s forest resources, the country has very good prospects for generating carbon finance in the forestry sector. However, Ethiopia experiences high levels of deforestation and annually loses millions of tons of carbon emission from woody vegetation. In light of this, UNDP/Ethiopia sought to support the Ethiopian Government to establish federal and regional forestry sector institutions. With ILRC expert assistance, the report had information on the kind of institutional arrangements appropriate for federal and regional levels. The report also analyzed how forestry governance affects the implementation of bio carbon, emissions and deforestation initiatives. Operational good governance, whether in forestry governance or elsewhere, needs to be clear, open, transparent and accountable. The report offered UNDP a number of articles and regional examples addressing the drawbacks and scale-up options of participatory forest management. Furthermore, the report could be more widely used to inform new policies, institutions, rules and regulations on forestry management and good governance.

ETHIOPIA 2011Revenue Sharing Between Central, Regional and Local Governments

In Ethiopia, the local governments often struggle to generate sufficient revenue to provide local services. Fiscal equalization is used to fill the gap; specifically, vertical fiscal equalization which uses a formula for block grants from the federal government allocation to the regional governments. Since the grant-sharing formula was under review, UNDP’s Democratic Institutions Programme in Ethiopia looked to learn from the experiences of other countries. The ILRC provided a general analysis on dividing revenue and a comparative analysis of international policies, all of which were applied to the findings in the current Ethiopian context. Best practices were shared from Australia, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Uganda. Concluding recommendations, observations and questions for further study were provided for UNDP/Ethiopia to take into consideration in the review of the fiscal equalization formula.

The e-discussion forum that we conducted on the forest governance system in Ethiopia attracted a lot of interest at home and abroad, including the ILRC. The contribution of the ILRC and others in the e-discussion influenced the government to consider the governance system in the country and establish the new Ministry of Environmental Protection and Forestry. The new Ministry will have sub-offices in the nine national regional states, two city administrations and districts as well.

Ababu Ababu Anage

National Climate Change Specialist

UNDP/Ethiopia

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Assisting UNDP while serving as project manager of an international legal team helping draft laws for the Republic of Fiji has given me a unique perspective with regards to Fiji’s abundantly rich mineral and other natural resources. My aim has been for this team to establish substantive legal means for Fiji to protect its resources. In this, there must be a clear balance of interests between protective mining and environmental interests. My efforts with the ILRC has been a wonderful and rewarding experience.

Thomas S. Mullikin

Camden, South Carolina

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investing in Fiji’s mineral sector and whether the draft bill provided adequate protections for the indigenous people, locally impacted communities and the environment, consistent with the Fijian government’s current vision for sustainable economic growth. It was recommended that the Fijian Government reduce the breadth of government discretion for licensing; improve transparency procedures and assurances; increase the number and substance of engagement opportunities; better protect the ownership rights of indigenous and local populations; and tighten environmental protections. In addition to this comprehensive analysis, seven junior associates conducted desktop research related to environmental, health, safety and socio-economic impacts; royalty payment systems; and stakeholder dialogues and engagement.

FIJI 2013Analyzing Fiji’s Draft Mineral (Exploration and Exploitation) Bill

UNDP/Fiji requested an external analysis of Fiji’s Draft Mineral (Exploration and Exploitation) Bill 2006. The extraction of oil, gas, minerals and other natural resources has led to a significant increase in revenue for a number of Pacific Island countries. While the revenue earned has fluctuated over the years, the increase in revenue has not led to any significant improvement in overall human development outcomes. As public attention has turned toward the expanded use of the Pacific’s resource endowment, including seabed mining, a key question emerged on how natural resource extraction can better contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction in the Pacific region. UNDP’s strategy in the region aims to support program countries to harness their extractive industries for a people-centered and sustainable development process.

In order to receive the necessary documents and to fully understand the issues facing Fiji, two expert team members travelled to Fiji on two separate occasions to meet directly with UNDP, Fijian officials, leaders of the Fijian government and other local stakeholders to discuss the draft bill and ILRC support. The ILRC report assessed whether the draft bill met its dual goals of investment promotion and equitable returns for the people of Fiji. To this end, over fifty legal experts evaluated whether the draft bill provided investors with a clear, stable and transparent framework for

All I can say is very professional and quality support. Client orientation, enthusiasm, passionate – those are the words which come up to my mind!

Akiko Fujii

Deputy Resident Representative

Fiji Multi-Country Office

Tom Mullikin, the team leader, presents the ILRC experts’ findings from the analysis to UNDP/Fiji and the Fijian Government Technical Committee.

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GHANA 2010Identifying the Impact of Democratic Political Transition and Human Development

One section of the Ghanaian National Human Development Report examined post-election transitions and the potential impact on human development progress. In particular, UNDP/Ghana wanted to focus on institutional arrangements. In response, the ILRC report referenced materials and research related to: a) the analysis of institutional arrangements allowing a smooth transition of governments and policies, with a focus on adequacy, transparency and predictability of such arrangements; b) discussions pertaining to the impact of political transition on policies and programs, as well as its effect on human development; c) the political economy of transition (how to promote interaction between outgoing and incoming politicians and guarantee the rights of the opposition and minority groups to foster social cohesion); d) the importance of media in political transitions and its role in elections and shaping public debate on policy and governance issues as well as media monitoring methodologies; and e) the correlation between political transition and human security. In order to draw the nexus between democratic political transition and human development, the report suggested further analysis on the importance of civil education on democratic political transition and perception of democracy’s desirability.

GUINEA BISSAU (UN WOMEN) 2012Complying with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

In 2012, UN Women in Guinea-Bissau began activities related to CEDAW compliance with a particular interest in an analysis of the national legal framework in terms of CEDAW compliance in the context of a fragile state. The ILRC report offered diverse lessons learned, best practices and detailed indicators to assess CEDAW compliance with national legal frameworks and a survey of multiple countries with a perspective for use in Guinea-Bissau. The report provided an overview of CEDAW compliance in selected national legal frameworks, offering highlights of best practices and lessons learned. The countries analyzed included Fiji, Lesotho, Mauritius and the Solomon Islands using the following factors: human development index, gender

inequality index, size, location, legal history and status of CEDAW compliance. The lessons learned and best practices in CEDAW compliance highlighted from these countries centered on these overarching issues: a) women’s political participation in elections and government; b) customary law and practice; c) family relations and exploitation of women and girls; and d) education and employment. Using CEDAW compliance indicators, the report analyzed each country’s national legal frameworks. The examples illustrated the diverse ways in which CEDAW obligations could be fulfilled, varying with a country’s social and political conditions, resources and legal frameworks. Close examination of these diverse, yet successful legal mechanisms for fulfilling CEDAW obligations is of paramount importance to inform effective national legal frameworks in Guinea-Bissau and similar countries.

INDIA 2011Drafting an Anti-Corruption Bill

After much demand, the Indian Parliament passed a resolution tasking the Standing Committee with drafting an anti-corruption law. The provisions within the Lokpal Bill, the proposed anti-corruption law in India, were then vigorously debated by the Indian Parliament and its Standing Committee. The UNDP governance team requested international examples of anti-corruption laws from relevant countries with best practices of legislation on anti-corruption and ombudsmen. Some contentious issues included: whether the prime minister, judiciary and complaints against the lower bureaucracy could be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal legislation; whether the legislation should make it mandatory for every government department to institute a citizens’ charter; and whether the Lokpal should be accountable to government or the Supreme Court. Two ILRC experts shared perspectives from Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) in the hope that UNDP would find it useful to share during the deliberations of the Indian Parliament’s Standing Committee on the Lokpal Bill. Several months later, UNDP subsequently requested additional input on some remaining issues to be resolved in the bill. A third ILRC expert, a professional legislative drafter by training, provided further input.


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Bissau and similar countries.

INDIA 2011Drafting an Anti-Corruption Bill

drafter by training, provided further input.

UNDP/India shared global examples of Anti-

Corruption Agency Laws and Lessons drawn

from 23 countries on the ‘contentious issues’

and shared these with the Parliamentary

Standing Committee on Personnel, Public

Grievances, Law and Justice in September.

Following the submission to Standing

Committee of Parliament, UNDP was invited

to present views on this renowned Bill to

members of the Standing Committee on

October 21, 2011. This is a very strategic

initiative indicative of UNDP’s value added

in sharing global knowledge on one of the

most prominent subjects in India today. To

compile this background research on global

examples and best practices, the country

office networked with key experts within

UNDP and outside including the UNDP Asia-

Pacific Regional Centre; UNDP Bureau for

Development Policy; UNODC Vienna; ABA-

UNDP International Legal Resource Centre

(ILRC); Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy

(MACA); Independent Anti-Corruption

Experts/ former senior officials of Corrupt

Practices Investigation Bureau, Singapore,

Independent Commission Against Corruption,

Hong Kong, UNODC Regional Centre for East

Asia and the Pacific. It’s been great to have

the support of ILRC services over the years.

Sumeeta Banerji

Assistant Country Director & Head

(Democratic Governance)

UNDP/India

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INDIA 2012Analyzing International Practices in the Delivery of Services and Goods

After the Government of India introduced the Right of Citizens to Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill in parliament, UNDP/India requested international best practices that could inform the deliberations of the upcoming Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. Citizens Charters serve as a pact between service providers and users and were assumed instrumental in overcoming the myriad problems that plagued public service provisioning. The ILRC report provided an overview of Citizens Charters within which the present bill was drafted, as well as highlights of best practices and lessons learned. The report provided examples from Belgium, France, India, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK with implemented Citizens Charters or rights-based legislation similar to the bill under consideration in India as well as some articles on transparency and accountability. Factors in selecting countries included the following: whether the country had implemented a Citizens Charter, the presence of rights based legislation and the presence of ombudsman functions.

INDIA 2012Sensitizing Judicial Officers on Legal Issues of Marginalized Groups

Marginalized communities in India face challenges in accessing rights and entitlements. UNDP/India requested information related to training and sensitizing judicial officers on laws and issues related to marginalized groups. Regional comparative examples were provided that outlined strategies used in Guatemala, Philippines and Tajikistan. The strategies included information dissemination throughout the judiciary and involving poor and marginalized groups in discussions on the problems of the justice system. The report also identified policy recommendations that would effectively address the listed concerns. Training modules and resources to strengthen the judiciary were also included.

JAMAICA 2012Reforming Tax Code and Policy

Jamaica’s tax reform efforts correlated with its commitment to the International Monetary Fund as a condition of its continued support, as well as to the Inter-American Development Bank for its policy-based

loan support. The Private Sector Working Group on Tax Reform in Jamaica prepared a proposal for consideration by the Parliamentary Tax Committee and requested the ILRC’s expertise. The overall goal of the proposed tax reform was for Jamaica to have a tax system which promotes economic growth and acts as a catalyst for development and is characterized by simplicity, equity and competitive rates and administered in an efficient and effective manner. The Working Group identified a series of strategic objectives which needed to be pursued and achieved in order to promote economic growth and business development as well as the shifting and sharing of the tax burden. To this end, a brief report loosely structured on overarching issues was drafted: broadening the tax base, compliance, incentives, tax administration and ownership. These issues were exemplified with substantive case studies from Colombia, Indonesia and Japan, delineating how different approaches to tax reform have been utilized. This report concluded with brief recommendations regarding further research followed by a list of suggested readings.

Upon learning of the ILRC’s other services, UNDP/Jamaica also requested a legal opinion on the draft tax reform proposal. The ILRC recruited a team of seven experts working remotely from around the world to assist on a pro bono basis. Within a month, the experts reviewed the proposal and the ILRC submitted a report to UNDP/Jamaica. The report compiled the legal experts’ analysis, comments, questions and recommendations on the tax reform proposal. The comments and questions in the report pertained to the broad substantive policies as well as to the tax design, drafting and implementation processes. The report first examined a general assessment of the proposal, along with general comments and recommendations. More specific comments, questions and suggestions were set out separately for each tier of the proposal.

JAMAICA 2013Assessing HIV/AIDS Legal Compliance

Jamaica’s 2012-2017 National HIV Strategic Plan recognizes the breadth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic as not just a health problem, but also a development issue requiring multi-sector responses, including areas of governance. The HIV/AIDS legal assessment of Jamaica was a part of an initiative of UNDP/Jamaica, with funding support the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (commonly referred to as UNAIDS) and in partnership with the Ministry of Health to


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followed by a list of suggested readings.

the proposal.

JAMAICA 2013Assessing HIV/AIDS Legal Compliance

My assignment with UNDP/ Jamaica on an HIV-related legal assessment really challenged me to rethink the boundaries of the law and its relationships with policies, social norms and political interests in the field of public health. The ILRC provided continuous guidance and indispensable pro-bono legal assistance which ensured that the project delivered its intended outcomes in a timely manner. I am tremendously grateful for its assistance.

Jennifer Chan

Vancouver, Canada

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build capacity for reform of outdated, inconsistent and discriminatory HIV-related laws in Jamaica and to increase access to justice for vulnerable populations. The ILRC expert traveled to Jamaica and held interview meetings with 37 stakeholders to understand their concerns regarding HIV-related discrimination and other legal issues. The expert presented her analysis of Jamaica’s legal compliance gap to a national, multi-sector steering committee of key stakeholders comprised of representatives of relevant government ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), CSO and international development partners active in supporting Jamaican HIV/AIDS initiatives. The expert submitted a short plan of action and an HIV/AIDS Legal Assessment Report with detailed recommendations for legal and policy reforms as well as accompanying actions and timelines for these actions.

Several months later, UNDP requested examples of HIV regulation and legislation. The ILRC report provided best practices in legislating the rights of persons living with HIV. These best practices, organized by subject area, centered on the recommendations for legal reforms presented by the ILRC expert’s assessment report. The best practices consisted of excerpts from laws, regulations and policies enacted by various countries, as well as model legislation developed by various NGOs. These provisions were specifically selected because their language may be useful to the Jamaican government in drafting legislation to protect the rights of persons living with HIV.

JORDAN 2010Developing Legislative Capacity

After parliamentary elections and the increase of seats in the Jordanian lower House of Parliament, including additional seats for women, there was a need to implement an orientation program. The orientation was to cover the mechanics of parliament, the role of MP’s and basics of the Jordanian Parliament’s By-Laws. UNDP also required that the orientation dedicate time to discuss gender issues, including: equality, promoting women’s role in public life and decision making, gender mainstreaming, child and family and gender-responsive budgeting. After first conducting an assessment, the ILRC expert, a former MP, designed the blueprint for the orientation in consultation with UNDP’s governance team, the Secretary General and Directors and former MPs. The ILRC expert also prepared a parliamentary development strategy paper and five sets

I have become so accustomed to the high quality technical expertise provided by ILRC, that they are always at the fore of my thoughts for project support. The depth of quality consultants that the organization produces to support legal research and analysis is impressive.

Rachel Morrison

HIV Programme Officer

UNDP/Jamaica

From assessing Jamaican legal aid legislation to contributing to a global survey of legal aid delivery (pg 71), the ILRC has given me the opportunity to be engaged in meaningful and interesting projects. Working on these projects has been quite rewarding, as is volunteering alongside the dedicated and bright professionals who are committed to this work.

Brie Allen

Chicago, Illinois



of TORs for projects and activities related to capacity building of parliamentary committees. At the end of the mission, the final orientation manual was approved by the parliament general secretariat in order to ensure the institutionalization of the orientation program.

JORDAN 2010Improving Parliamentary Performance in Conflict Prevention and Recovery

Because of instability in the Arab region, UNDP, in close consultation with key actors and partners in the region, launched an initiative toward empowering parliaments as actors in violence and crisis prevention and post-conflict recovery through a series of activities in the region. One activity entailed hosting a regional seminar to share best practices and lessons learned on parliamentary performance on conflict prevention and recovery. In order to prepare, UNDP needed research on parliament’s role in conciliation, types of the conciliation committees, commissions or structures to establish and information analyzing the challenges around their implementation. An ILRC expert was selected to conduct this research. In addressing the above-mentioned issues, his report examined the experiences of Sudan and Iraq, discussed information on parliamentary committees and analyzed the committees’ role and work in conflict and post-conflict situations. The report concluded with twelve regional and national recommendations for development programming with the committees of conciliation, crisis prevention and recovery within parliament.

JORDAN 2010Training on Corruption in Tax Revenues

The Jordanian Anti-Corruption Commission (JACC) identified a need to build the capacities of its investigation department and other relevant departments using case studies and simulations. The JACC, relatively new at the time, faced many complex challenges in such areas as: automation, case development, selection and investigation, workload management, organization, personnel selection and development, coordination and legislation. One ILRC expert was selected to provide trainings for JACC officials. His trainings focused on global practices and procedures on how to identify, investigate and prosecute criminal offenders involved in corruption, fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion and other ‘white collar’ crimes. The other ILRC expert presented details regarding tax administration practices and laws in Jordan. Both


build capacity for reform of outdated, inconsistent and discriminatory HIV-related laws in Jamaica and to increase access to justice for vulnerable populations. The ILRC expert traveled to Jamaica and held interview meetings with 37 stakeholders to understand their concerns regarding HIV-related discrimination and other legal issues. The expert presented her analysis of Jamaica’s legal compliance gap to a national, multi-sector steering committee of key stakeholders comprised of representatives of relevant government ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), CSO and international development partners active in supporting Jamaican HIV/AIDS initiatives. The expert submitted a short plan of action and an HIV/AIDS Legal Assessment Report with detailed recommendations for legal and policy reforms as well as accompanying actions and timelines for these actions.

Several months later, UNDP requested examples of HIV regulation and legislation. The ILRC report provided best practices in legislating the rights of persons living with HIV. These best practices, organized by subject area, centered on the recommendations for legal reforms presented by the ILRC expert’s assessment report. The best practices consisted of excerpts from laws, regulations and policies enacted by various countries, as well as model legislation developed by various NGOs. These provisions were specifically selected because their language may be useful to the Jamaican government in drafting legislation to protect the rights of persons living with HIV.

JORDAN 2010Developing Legislative Capacity

After parliamentary elections and the increase of seats in the Jordanian lower House of Parliament, including additional seats for women, there was a need to implement an orientation program. The orientation was to cover the mechanics of parliament, the role of MP’s and basics of the Jordanian Parliament’s By-Laws. UNDP also required that the orientation dedicate time to discuss gender issues, including: equality, promoting women’s role in public life and decision making, gender mainstreaming, child and family and gender-responsive budgeting. After first conducting an assessment, the ILRC expert, a former MP, designed the blueprint for the orientation in consultation with UNDP’s governance team, the Secretary General and Directors and former MPs. The ILRC expert also prepared a parliamentary development strategy paper and five sets

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This assignment with UNDP in the Kingdom of Jordan was certainly one of the most rewarding ones I have had in the last 15 years.

Tim Wellesley

Reno, Nevada

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experts used case studies and identified conditions where corruption is most likely to exist. During the trainings, break-out groups were formed to discuss opportunities and recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of JACC operations. To conclude, the ILRC expert drafted a report detailing the international criminal investigation practices and procedures portion of the training.

KAZAKHSTAN 2010Developing Mechanisms for the Implementation of Laws on Equality

Following a request from UNDP/Kazakhstan, the ILRC issued a report concerning the development of equal rights and opportunity laws. The report focused heavily on international comparisons from Austria and Sweden. Strategies for inclusion of women were the report’s central point, which emphasized the need for gender-responsive budgeting, career opportunities development and childcare programs to assist working women. The report concluded with suggestions for assessing and monitoring progress and noted numerous training institutions that offer short-term training seminars on the relevant subject matter.

KAZAKHSTAN (UNODC) 2013Conducting Judicial Trainings on Investigation, Prosecution and Adjudication of Cases Related to Financing Terrorism

The UNODC project sought to promote a regional approach to counter terrorism in Central Asia and, at the

same time, strengthen capacities of the respective states to address terrorism-related issues at the national level while respecting the rule of law. UNODC organized a series of TOT courses for prosecutors and judges on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases related to terrorism financing. UNODC sought an expert judge to develop a training manual and deliver two-day trainings to judges on effective adjudication of cases related to the financing of terrorism in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

The ILRC expert, a judge, worked alongside other international experts and trainers recruited from Israel and the UK. The experts specifically trained local judges on how to adjudicate terrorism-related cases in a way that respects the rule of law. In order to ensure that the training was practically effective, the experts focused on the implementation of domestic anti-terrorism legislation designed to curtail terrorism financing and presented cases from comparative jurisdictions.

Courses were held for 40 judges in Astana, and Dushanbe, where 25 judges attended. The training sessions were very interactive and encouraged judges to grapple with case studies. Participants were presented with draft versions of a training manual, which they used as a reference while working through case studies. In Astana and Dushanbe, the national training centers under the General Prosecutor’s Office and Justice Institute/Council hosted the courses. There was a mixture of judges from courts of first and second instances, as well as military and supreme courts.


ILRC expert Tim Wellesley with participants after his training on corruption in tax revenues for the Investigation and Information Department in Jordan.

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The ILRC was instrumental in providing expertise to address terrorism-related issues in Central Asia. The bringing together of international experts with the cooperation of the judiciaries and governments of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan was an exemplary model in the fight against terrorism. It was a pleasure to be part of this international effort. My compliments to everyone involved in this project.

The Honorable David O. Carter

Santa Ana, California

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KENYA (UNODC) 2011Training Prosecutors and Police on Gender-based Violence

Over the last five years, Kenya has taken progressive steps to address the issue of gender-based and sexual violence, through adoption and implementation of broad national policies and strategies and substantive laws—including the 2006 Sexual Offences Act. To support implementation of these laws, UNODC/Kenya, the Directorate Public Prosecutors (DPP) and other partners and stakeholders initiated the process for developing a training manual and curriculum for prosecutors and police officers to improve their knowledge, skills and competence in handling cases of gender-based and sexual violence, as well as the ability to provide necessary support to victims.

An ILRC expert conducted research and a desk review of existing material, including training manuals, curricula and existing legislative framework regarding sexual offences and GBV in Kenya. To supplement the existing material, the expert also interviewed the DPP, local organizations and female lawyers to gain a realistic picture. Shortly thereafter, the expert developed a comprehensive training manual and curriculum, adapted to the local needs, on sexual offences and GBV for prosecutors and police officers. The manual included measures to prevent sexual violence against women and children; ways to respond and investigate acts of violence, including forensic investigation; and resources to meet victims’ needs with a specific focus on assistance and rehabilitation. International standards as well as local laws, cases and examples were used to

bring the lead prosecutors up to international standards and enable them to train their regional staff. With UNODC feedback, the ILRC expert conducted an initial workshop for a selected group of prosecutors and police officers, based on the above-mentioned material, along with representatives from key victim assistance services. The expert provided interim and final reports, including recommendations for additional beneficiary training needs and the development of protocols and standard operating procedures.

KOSOVO 2011Establishing Governance Accountability Mechanisms

In an effort to strengthen governance accountability, UNDP/Kosovo requested information to identify mechanisms for civil society to monitor and engage


While I learn and grow from every assignment, Kenya was a particular treat because even though the assignment was complex and the political situation dicey, the Kenyan people I worked with were equal to the challenge and extended every courtesy.

Dianne Post

Phoenix, Arizona

One of the training sessions for prosecutors and judges on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases related to terrorism financing.

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in dialogue with the government. An ILRC expert shared their personal experience of working in the area of governance. The report noted the international community’s role in tackling barriers to public confidence and presented three critical measures that regional and international agencies could adopt. The report noted Kosovo’s challenges, as well as provided four broad ways that UNDP/Kosovo could implement the proposed mechanisms.

KYRGYZSTAN 2010Strengthening the Work of Parliamentarian Factions

While actively supporting the Kyrgyz National Parliament, UNDP was approached by the Social Democracy Parliamentary Faction to strengthen their work. The report provided examples of assistance and support for parliamentary groups and political parties as reported by international organizations and NGOs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Romania. Manuals and guidelines that focused on important party establishment issues as well as increasing women’s political participation were also included.

KYRGYZSTAN 2011Building the Capacity of Public Supervisory Councils

The Kyrgyz President’s Office approached UNDP for assistance with capacity building of the newly established Public Supervisory Councils. The office specifically asked UNDP to equip the Councils with the necessary skills and capacity in public oversight of financial resources, budget, decision-making and performance management of services. The Councils, made up of civil society members, business community and other professionals, were developed to promote and strengthen transparency and accountability. The ILRC report provided general principles for UNDP engagement and assistance, as well as examples of other institutional-building projects from Afghanistan, Sudan and Zimbabwe. A handful of resources were also included in the report.

MACEDONIA 2010Strengthening Civil Society Engagement

In an effort to reform engagement with CSO, UNDP/Macedonia sought information about internationally accepted practices regarding CSO and enhancing

dialogue. The report examined pre-existing UNDP strategies which centered on forming partnerships and revitalizing engagement with CSO. Framework from organizations such as UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNAIDS provided conceptual comparisons for UNDP/Macedonia. The report presented compacts as an option to enhance dialogue and collaboration between CSO, before highlighting comparative examples of UNDP’s experience with civil society engagement.

MALDIVES 2010Developing National Civil Procedure Codes

With plans to develop a civil procedure code as part of their promoting access to justice project, UNDP/Maldives requested references from other national civil procedure codes. The ILRC report identified issues such as service of process, statute of limitations, ADR and legal remedies, all of which are relevant to civil procedure in developing countries. Additionally, the report included a comparative analysis of legislative solutions in various countries that faced similar issues with civil procedure codes as well as jurisprudential insight into the relevance of these issues in civil code design. The report stressed that the code should provide for an appellate review as a main legal remedy and the statute of limitations should be adjusted to a particular cause of action. Future programming recommendations included adopting standards successfully implemented in countries with a similar background, emphasizing ADR as an efficient methodology and taking into account the geography of the country when developing service of process reform.

MALDIVES 2010Examining Successful Mechanisms for Transitional Justice

With the change of government after thirty years, transitional justice and investigations into past injustices became important issues for UNDP/Maldives. Successful mechanisms for transitional justice were requested and in response, the ILRC provided a report outlining over twenty sources of international norms and guidance. The report also gave UNDP/Maldives a more focused look at transitional justice through examining successful programs in nearby countries, before highlighting successful programs throughout the world. UNDP also wanted to determine UN and UNDP’s role in transitional justice. To this end, the ILRC report provided over a


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dozen international norms and guidance materials as well as regional and international examples, and concluded with recommendations such as encouraging active civic participation and open communication between citizens and government.

MALDIVES 2011Strengthening the Justice Sector

In line with international standards, UNDP worked closely to strengthen the justice sector and human rights in the Maldives. The access to justice project also endeavored to strengthen institutional capacities to better address the needs of people, notably the marginalized and disadvantaged. An immediate need was to facilitate development of an effective, modern and independent judiciary and properly functioning Judicial

Services Commission (JSC). UNDP/Maldives needed expertise on technical and policy assistance in order to effectively develop a judicial performance management system. The ILRC expert provided an initial desk review of the existing performance management system to assess the effectiveness, gaps and deficiencies. Additionally, meetings with the JSC provided the expert with guidance on the focal areas. The expert drafted reports on judicial performance management regulation, judicial complaints and discipline, as well as the existing JSC Code of Ethical Conduct for Judges. The second half of the mission to educate the JSC on the proposed regulation and assist in implementation of the new judicial procedures was delayed due to the current political tension in the Maldives. The expert also expressed interest in facilitating an in-depth dialogue on international best practices within the Maldives’ context.

society engagement.

MALDIVES 2010Developing National Civil Procedure Codes

MALDIVES 2010

Justice


The Chair (in black) of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives making an address at the Court Monitoring stakeholder’s workshop in Male.

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My experience working with the ILRC on the review of Moldova’s Draft Law on Chemicals provided me with the rare opportunity to work with legal experts across several fields, from around the world. The highly collaborative process and nature of the review ensured that the report reflected the knowledge, views, and understanding of the most experienced and best legal minds. The ABA’s professionalism made it a pleasure to volunteer for the ILRC. I look forward to continuing to contribute more of my time to this important work.

Sarah Bresolin Silver

Cambridge, MA

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MALDIVES 2013Developing a Court Monitoring Program for the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM)

Starting in 2004, the Maldives underwent a series of reform initiatives. The Constitution was amended to establish a system of democratic governance and provide, for the first time, separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary. However, the transition to democracy had been difficult, with the country facing significant challenges in consolidating the initial progress. As part of these national efforts toward democratization, there was significant focus on promoting human rights and strengthening the justice sector in line with the Maldives’ obligations under various international human rights treaties and its own National Development Plan. While the 2008 Constitution provides for fair and public hearings by an independent court or tribunal established by law, the Maldives had yet to establish a system of court/trial monitoring; nor had it established a specific legal framework for the implementation of such a scheme.

The HRCM proposed the implementation of a court/trial monitoring program, funded by the Integrated Governance Project of UNDP that ensured a free, fair and accessible judicial system. UNDP/Maldives selected an ILRC expert to review all studies, policies and regulations on trial procedures in the Maldives as well as review international standards and policies on trial procedures. The expert consulted with key stakeholders including judges, magistrates, court staff, practitioners and public prosecutors. He also developed a proposal for a court monitoring program to train the HRCM in conducting trial monitoring. He concluded his mission by developing a manual for the court monitoring process.

MOLDOVA 2012Analyzing Moldova’s Draft Law on Chemicals

UNDP/Moldova asked the ILRC to provide an external legal opinion on Moldova’s Draft Law on Chemicals and identify problematic areas. In partnership with UNEP, UNDP’s program objectives were to develop an integrated system of chemical management efficient from technical, economic, social and environmental points of view. The program also envisaged harmonization of national legislation with EU legislation and creation of the necessary legal and institutional framework to establish the Chemicals Agency in Moldova. The draft

law aimed to develop an integrated approach for chemical management, including import, production, processing, storage, transport, use, disposal/treatment and recycling, as well as adherence to relevant international treaties. In this context, UNDP/Moldova sought the ILRC’s assistance to provide legal support for revision of the draft law and recommendations on relevant secondary legislation in line with EU directives in the respective area.

A team of seven experts was assembled to work remotely. Through their review of the draft law, the legal experts identified provisions that need to be improved or changed for the draft law to meet EU standards and other goals. Additionally, they specified registration procedures, further defined the penalty provisions in the draft law and provided a number of substantive and strategic recommendations. The team also provided a redline mark-up of the draft law with their precise recommendations regarding particular provisions and language choice. As supplemental material, a table with the legal experts’ questions and suggestions regarding particular provisions of the draft law was included as an annex. The report concluded with a comprehensive table of definitions that allowed drafters to compare every defined term found in the draft law with its corresponding definition from each of the EU source regulations.

MOZAMBIQUE 2010Addressing the Punitive Aspects of HIV Legislation

In 2009, Mozambique adopted HIV legislation and while it addressed issues of gender, stigma and discrimination, it criminalized HIV transmission. To further UNDP efforts, the ILRC audited all HIV and human rights instruments that Mozambique had ratified. The report showed that Mozambique had already ratified many international human rights conventions and recommended additional ratification of major human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Furthermore, the audit lauded the constitutional human rights-based amendments in 2004 and recommended the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the full legislative enactment prohibiting discrimination against women and enforcement of anti-discriminatory practices. In addition, the report also highlighted other countries’ experiences and lessons learned when implementing similar activities. The report emphasized combating negative social stereotypes


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experiences in mainstreaming gender in transitional justice mechanisms. The ILRC provided seven country examples of initiatives for gender-sensitive transitional justice, along with international standards, lessons learned and documents that addressed implementation of different mechanisms at all stages of intervention. The report suggested particular attention to issues that were not addressed in the draft strategy, but were needed in order to mitigate challenges that Nepal faced.

NEPAL 2011Increasing Access to Justice

The mobile legal clinics program provides legal awareness and free legal counseling to vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized groups in Nepal. In partnership with civil society in three districts, the program’s aim was to empower local communities to claim their rights. The ILRC report reviewed the international frameworks and initiatives that provide free legal aid services to poor and disadvantaged people and described the existing legal and organizational framework of providing legal services in Nepal. The report also analyzed how access to legal aid services supports the achievement of the MDGs through initiatives undertaken by the UN Rule of Law Unit, World Bank and UNDP. Legal aid clinics success stories were also highlighted from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

NEPAL 2013Increasing Access to Justice through Mediation and Legal Aid

In partnership with Nepal’s Bar Association, UNDP’s rule of law programming aimed to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Law and Justice in Nepal. To build public confidence in the entire justice system, UNDP also aimed to work with the government institutions to institutionalize mediation and also develop a national legal aid strategy. Having worked on a number of mediation and legal aid projects recently, the ILRC was quick to respond.

The ILRC’s first report included information on a variety of legal aid governance and delivery schemes. In the past decade, a number of countries overhauled their legal aid laws and institutions, and thus there were many examples of relatively new, successful and innovative approaches to legal assistance available to countries seeking to make reforms. Additionally, a wide range of legal aid projects have successfully been implemented around the world.

associated with HIV and the inclusion of a national drug policy and drug treatment options as part of any legislation or community action programs targeted towards a rights-based HIV policy. The latter suggestion was due to the correlation between HIV transmission and drug use. This report was also shared with UNDP/DRC, which was also developing gender and HIV operational plans.

MOZAMBIQUE 2010Drafting Codes of Conduct for Human Rights NGOs

When the MOJ’s department responsible for promoting human rights decided to develop a code of conduct for human rights NGOs, with an emphasis on balancing accountability and flexibility, the ILRC provided a report to UNDP identifying international attempts at establishing NGO accountability. Although there were numerous international documents on corruption and transparency, none regarded corruption and transparency specifically within the realm of NGOs or other human rights organizations. However, the report provided numerous international and national bodies that have deliberated on the issues and provided guidance on creating new codes of conduct. The report also shared state-established human rights NGO codes of conduct from Cambodia and Kenya, as well as examples of actual codes of conduct from other African countries.

NEPAL 2010Ensuring the Transparency and Accountability of Judiciary Appointments

Under the Constituent Assembly, final judicial appointments are confirmed by the head of state in Nepal. Since the legal community was concerned with judicial independence, UNDP examined the process of building an accountable and transparent appointment system. The ILRC gathered information on international standards for judicial appointments. The report outlined fundamentals such as political independence of the bench and the importance of a candidate’s intellectual and legal background. The report also provided regional comparative analysis, which indicated judicial separation from the executive and lack of high quality human resources as two major obstacles to overcome. Incorporating diversity into the judiciary was also emphasized and the ILRC provided models of capacity building for judicial independence.

NEPAL 2010Training Judges and Judicial Personnel on Gender-based Violence

UNDP sought to develop a TOT manual on GBV in partnership with the National Judiciary Academy, the only authorized body to train judges and judicial personnel and provide support to the development of a GBV national plan of action. The ILRC assembled a team of four gender experts to compile a report. Multiple sources such as a training guide previously used in Rwanda, the UN Police Standardized Training Curriculum and numerous books on the subject were taken as points of reference for the recommendations issued to UNDP/Nepal. Key strategies for training judges included setting appropriate frameworks and standards in line with international human rights norms and emphasizing the need to instill a clear understanding of the domestic violence cycle to judges so that GBV cases could be handled expeditiously.

NEPAL 2011Empowering Local Human Rights Defenders

As part of an initiative to strengthen the capacity of local human rights defenders, UNDP/Nepal launched a joint initiative with OHCHR and Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission to enhance the collaborative approach for the protection and promotion of human rights. Together, they identified the need for information about human rights defenders’ relationship with NHRIs, codes of conduct to guide the work of human rights and training materials on how to monitor and document human rights violations and raise awareness on human rights issues. The ILRC provided ten international, regional and national examples of organizations and institutions that work with human rights defenders and fifteen training manuals, studies and guides to best practices for empowerment. The report also included an analysis of the current human rights issues in Nepal and suggestions to consider in light of existing issues.

NEPAL (UN WOMEN) 2011Incorporating Gender in Transitional Justice Processes

In partnership with the Nepalese Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, UN Women developed a draft strategy for incorporating gender in Nepal’s transitional justice process. To support this effort, UN Women requested documents and comparative




experiences in mainstreaming gender in transitional justice mechanisms. The ILRC provided seven country examples of initiatives for gender-sensitive transitional justice, along with international standards, lessons learned and documents that addressed implementation of different mechanisms at all stages of intervention. The report suggested particular attention to issues that were not addressed in the draft strategy, but were needed in order to mitigate challenges that Nepal faced.

NEPAL 2011Increasing Access to Justice

The mobile legal clinics program provides legal awareness and free legal counseling to vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized groups in Nepal. In partnership with civil society in three districts, the program’s aim was to empower local communities to claim their rights. The ILRC report reviewed the international frameworks and initiatives that provide free legal aid services to poor and disadvantaged people and described the existing legal and organizational framework of providing legal services in Nepal. The report also analyzed how access to legal aid services supports the achievement of the MDGs through initiatives undertaken by the UN Rule of Law Unit, World Bank and UNDP. Legal aid clinics success stories were also highlighted from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

NEPAL 2013Increasing Access to Justice through Mediation and Legal Aid

In partnership with Nepal’s Bar Association, UNDP’s rule of law programming aimed to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Law and Justice in Nepal. To build public confidence in the entire justice system, UNDP also aimed to work with the government institutions to institutionalize mediation and also develop a national legal aid strategy. Having worked on a number of mediation and legal aid projects recently, the ILRC was quick to respond.

The ILRC’s first report included information on a variety of legal aid governance and delivery schemes. In the past decade, a number of countries overhauled their legal aid laws and institutions, and thus there were many examples of relatively new, successful and innovative approaches to legal assistance available to countries seeking to make reforms. Additionally, a wide range of legal aid projects have successfully been implemented around the world.

Often, these projects focused on specific legal concerns, criminal or civil procedure challenges, or underserved populations. Thus, a closer examination of these projects may assist Nepal in identifying and addressing specific technical challenges that arise in the delivery of legal aid. This report did not delve into every legal, institutional and programmatic issues that could arise in the development and implementation of a national legal aid strategy. Instead, it provided an overview of such issues, provided resources for further research and highlighted a number of concerns to address and questions to answer when developing such a strategy. The first section outlined relevant international standards and other sources; the second, set out national legal aid strategies and systems of legal aid regulation; and the third section presented relevant case studies.

The ILRC’s subsequent report focused on mediation. UNDP/Nepal’s program also included engagement with the Mediation Council to better institutionalize mediation and implement laws that concerned

NEPAL 2010Training Judges and Judicial Personnel on Gender-based Violence

UNDP sought to develop a TOT manual on GBV in partnership with the National Judiciary Academy, the only authorized body to train judges and judicial personnel and provide support to the development of a GBV national plan of action. The ILRC assembled a team of four gender experts to compile a report. Multiple sources such as a training guide previously used in Rwanda, the UN Police Standardized Training Curriculum and numerous books on the subject were taken as points of reference for the recommendations issued to UNDP/Nepal. Key strategies for training judges included setting appropriate frameworks and standards in line with international human rights norms and emphasizing the need to instill a clear understanding of the domestic violence cycle to judges so that GBV cases could be handled expeditiously.

NEPAL 2011Empowering Local Human Rights Defenders

As part of an initiative to strengthen the capacity of local human rights defenders, UNDP/Nepal launched a joint initiative with OHCHR and Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission to enhance the collaborative approach for the protection and promotion of human rights. Together, they identified the need for information about human rights defenders’ relationship with NHRIs, codes of conduct to guide the work of human rights and training materials on how to monitor and document human rights violations and raise awareness on human rights issues. The ILRC provided ten international, regional and national examples of organizations and institutions that work with human rights defenders and fifteen training manuals, studies and guides to best practices for empowerment. The report also included an analysis of the current human rights issues in Nepal and suggestions to consider in light of existing issues.

NEPAL (UN WOMEN) 2011Incorporating Gender in Transitional Justice Processes

In partnership with the Nepalese Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, UN Women developed a draft strategy for incorporating gender in Nepal’s transitional justice process. To support this effort, UN Women requested documents and comparative


I have worked with the ILRC since 2010. For this particular project with UNDP/Nepal, I shared my personal experience in the area of gender and sexual violence from my work in Uganda and the African Great Lakes Region.

Laura Nyirinkindi

Kampala, Uganda



government institutions. A UNDP assessment in 2011 found that while many understood the benefits of mediation and its ability to complement the formal justice system, mediation was not institutionalized and not fully integrated in court procedures. The assessment also identified vulnerable communities to be educated on which justice mechanism was most appropriate. Other issues included the lack of oversight, monitoring frameworks and public information on the benefits of either choosing formal or informal systems. The submitted report addressed four issues which all pertain to informal mediation: a) mechanisms and measures to enhance interface/complementarity between formal and informal justice system; b) code of conduct for the mediators; c) the training module for the mediation which covers human rights based approaches (HRBA) to access to justice; and d) the certification process and guidelines for supervisory and regulatory mechanism.

NEPAL (UN CTED) 2013Increasing Judicial Capacity in the Adjudication of Terrorism Cases

The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by the UN Security Council in 2001 in the wake of the September 11 U.S. terrorist attacks. The Committee was tasked with implementing a number of measures intended to enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities. The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) assists with the work of the CTC. In collaboration with the Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation, the South Asia Judges Project was created to support law enforcement personnel in South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and their role within a comprehensive criminal justice response to terrorism.

Judges in South Asia play a key role in implementing counter-terrorism measures, yet they did not have a regional forum in which to enhance their counter-terrorism capacities. CTED wanted to place special emphasis on judges, giving them a forum to exchange best practices and tailor internationally recognized practices to match their own national and regional contexts, including within the curriculum of their national judicial training centers on the subcontinent. Opportunities to interact amongst judges in the region served as a confidence-building measure to help promote greater regional cooperation amongst judicial personnel involved in counter-terrorism.

To that extent, CTED requested assistance from the ILRC to find a high-level U.S. judge with experience in presiding over terrorism trials to serve as the technical expert in a workshop in Nepal. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to discuss the role of the police, prosecutors and judges in combating terrorism and the challenges they face in leading effective investigations and prosecutions, as well as a forum for discussing effective measures aimed at enhancing domestic and international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The judge also participated as an expert resource in several subsequent workshops in the region.

NIGERIA 2012Conducting Corruption Risk Assessments (CRA)

UNDP/Nigeria supported the alignment and review of existing tools and methodologies for the conduct of CRA in MDG-related ministries, departments and agencies, especially those involved in the water, health and education sectors. These particular sectors were important given their crucial role in poverty reduction and achieving sustainable development by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities and organizational loop-holes that prevent efficient service delivery and the effective use of resources. After defining CRA, the ILRC report provided a comprehensive examination at the existing conventions and legislations, including conventions from the EU and African Union. The CRA tools presented were both regional and country specific on assessing education, water, local government and public procurement services. The report highly recommended that UNDP/Nigeria use the tools, handbook and methodologies as guidance on identifying and preventing corruption in MDA.

NIGERIA 2012Strengthening Civil Society Organizations’ (CSO) response to HIV/AIDS

Although the prevalence is comparatively low to other African countries, Nigeria accounts for the second largest HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination continue to fuel the epidemic. Absence of legislation addressing HIV- related discrimination, capacity gaps for effective planning and coordination and inadequate access to treatment exacerbate the situation. While UNDP has strengthened the country’s HIV/AIDS response, very little support is provided to strengthen CSO capacity for advocacy and


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policy to address issues of stigma and discrimination as well as access to treatment. UNDP ultimately seeks to promote issues of human rights, transparency and accountability and national ownership and sustainability of the AIDS response and to address, through advocacy, vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection.

The ILRC submitted a report to UNDP/Nigeria comprised of five parts: the assessment of CSO and impediments to CSO capacity building in Nigeria; identification and assessment of CSO; CSO capacity-building outlook to influence policy on HIV/AIDS; other related ILRC reports; and finally, recommendations regarding further areas of research. The related ILRC reports that had been previously drafted for UNDP in Afghanistan, Egypt and Macedonia covered CSO assessment tools and practices on how to strengthen CSO. Since the registration mechanism for CSO in Nigeria is quite cumbersome, the ILRC report recommended a re-evaluation of the imposed requirements and a legal framework assessment of the broader environment in which CSO operate in order to establish a clear, comprehensive and enabling legal framework for CSO. One recurring argument was the lack of tax incentives for public support of CSO. The report recommended that such incentives could provide information on which CSO the public trusts and supports, thereby showing through donations, an identification and assessment mechanism for the government.

NIGERIA 2012Visualizing the Costs of Corruption

As a follow up to the previously mentioned CRA report for UNDP/Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in Nigeria expressed interest in visualizing the costs of corruption. While the economic consequences of corruption are particularly difficult to quantify, there is some scholarship to suggest that Nigeria could immediately double the standard of living for most of its citizens by attaining a more ‘normal’ level of corruption in society, with significant improvements in the health, education and life expectancy of its population. While it may not be possible to calculate Nigeria’s exact losses from corruption—nor where Nigeria as a society would be in the absence of corruption—one can make certain projections for how certain funds could have been spent. The ILRC report quantified program costs such as universal access to water and HIV/AIDS care and prevention; bed nets (malaria prevention) and

region.

NIGERIA 2012Conducting Corruption Risk Assessments (CRA)

and preventing corruption in MDA.

NIGERIA 2012

response to HIV/AIDS


In March 2012, the ILRC provided needed information and links to helpful resources for an initiative being supported by UNDP/Nigeria to develop methodologies and local capacities to conduct corruption risk assessments in MDG-related ministries, departments and agencies. In this regard, the detailed information and resources provided by ILRC helped serve as resource materials for the initiative and provided useful insights into the experiences, best practices and lessons learnt from similar initiatives and programmes across the world which the initiative in Nigeria leveraged upon. Similarly in July 2012, ILRC provided a detailed and well researched response to our query on visualizing the costs of corruption.

Folake Oluokun

Programme Analyst, Anti-Corruption

and Public Procurement

UNDP/Nigeria

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SERBIA 2010Utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for Economic and Social Rights

As a viable complement to formal justice mechanisms, ADR can be used to promote access to justice. In response to an inquiry from UNDP/Serbia, the ILRC provided a report on the effective use of ADR. Among the report’s focal points was the importance of accentuating ADR incentives, such as the openness of communication, cost effectiveness, anonymity and establishment of resolution conditions particular to each case. The report also stressed that building a public perception of legitimacy for ADR was imperative to the success of the system.

SIERRA LEONE 2012Developing Cabinet Procedures

Through the India-Brazil-South Africa Trust Fund, a partnership that promotes south-south cooperation, the Government of Sierra Leone, along with UNDP, implemented a project on leadership development and institutional capacity building. Under this project, the Cabinet Secretariat was one of the focal government institutions which specifically requested support to review and revise the cabinet procedures and develop a new manual to facilitate cabinet business processes. Country examples of cabinet manuals and handbooks, ministerial codes of conduct, reform project plans, and other relevant documents, as such, were provided from the Bahamas, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Namibia, Poland and Spain. Codes of conduct for cabinet members, ministers and public servants illustrated the importance of codes despite the fact that some did not have procedural manuals. Additionally, the ILRC report shared two previous reports drafted for UNDP in Paraguay and Uzbekistan to provide further guidance on civil service, government and public administration reform.

SOLOMON ISLANDS 2011Strengthening Government Institutions

An ILRC expert’s mission to the Solomon Islands was to enhance capacity building of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and nine Provincial Governments to fulfill their mandates in service delivery. This human resources management expert provided support to the Human Resource Management Division of MPGIS in carrying out its functions related to the Ministry and


vaccinations. Approximated costs were less than the estimated calculations lost to corruption on an annual basis. Lastly, the report compared Nigeria to Botswana, a resource-rich country with exceptional GDP growth and literacy rates partially attributed to lower levels of corruption.

PARAGUAY 2010Improving the Structural Innovation of the Executive Power

Part of Paraguay’s public administration reform process included the design of a plan for structural innovation of the Executive Power. In response, the ILRC compiled a comparative report examining related difficulties and major economic struggles faced by regional countries such as Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica as well as countries such as Hungary, Poland and South Korea. Synthesizing the different strategies that worked in each country, the ILRC report offered recommendations to UNDP/Paraguay to aid in public administration reform. These recommendations included an evaluation of the impact of governmental structures on overall economic performance of the country, consideration of strategies for poverty reduction, the transfer of some public services to the private sector to decrease unemployment and reduce high government employment and the decentralization of power. SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE 2010Evaluating Access to Justice Nationwide

After municipal and legislative elections in São Tomé and Príncipe, it was assumed that the new government would prioritize justice reform. The law regulating access to justice dated back to 1970 and other legal aid mechanisms had not kept abreast with reality. While UNDP had supported justice reform initiatives in the past, this new government offered the opportunity to expand the justice reform program on a national level. As an initial step, UNDP undertook a justice needs assessment to gauge citizens’ process in accessing justice and to involve citizens and other stakeholders in the development of a national justice reform program. Since this was the country’s first assessment, the ILRC shared two TOR from similar UNDP work in Angola and Serbia.

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Provincial Governments, as well as support to MPGIS in all aspects of capacity development at the national level. Assistance was provided on various fronts such as assisting MPGIS and Provincial Governments in undertaking their own human resources management functions, analyzing training needs and conducting capacity assessments of the Ministry’s headquarters and provinces. The expert submitted a thorough training and capacity needs assessment report which helped identify skill gaps, competency, professional and career needs for staff development. It also indicated specific courses and trainings identified for staff at headquarters and in the provinces.

SOUTH SUDAN 2011Training Law Enforcement on Gender Sensitivity

The post-conflict situation in South Sudan required security sector reform and strengthening. UNDP, in particular, wanted to incorporate gender sensitivity in its capacity building and law enforcement training in order to respond to the security and harassment of women. The ILRC shared an expert’s experience as a GBV crimes prosecutor in the U.S. and consultant in Tajikistan implementing a gender equality initiative. His background experience led him to emphasize the importance of specific skills-training related to effective interviewing tactics for victims and perpetrators of GBV. He focused on interviewing skills training, since it stresses the criminal nature of assaults on women, as well as useful ways to elicit information in preparation for a successful prosecutorial case. The report detailed training and interview skills that he used in Tajikistan to enhance security sector personnel training, interview preparation and lessons learned. The report also included two practical examples of domestic violence interviewing techniques and two mock interview scenarios from Tajikistan.

SUDAN 2010Defining the Criteria for Residency of Migratory Groups to Determine Voting Eligibility

For the Abyei Area Referendum (AAR) preparation, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the AAR Act noted that a Commission should determine the referendum residency requirements. UNDP/Sudan wanted to explore the residency issue, with respect to Abyei migratory groups. Given the nomadic and migratory tribes that cross the Abyei territory each year for cattle grazing, the definition of ‘residency’ raised a number of concerns. Some tribes remained in the area for half a year before returning to another area in the north during the dry season and it was likely that their migrant status precluded the referendum residency requirement. The ILRC assembled a team of eight experts with relevant experience to: a) define the ‘criteria for residency’ set forth by the direct enabling laws; b) examine the extent to which the enabling law lacked expressive or sufficient guidance and requirements; and c) share principles and policies as expressed in analogous laws and situations in other jurisdictions or relevant best practice guidelines, international compacts or treatises that would provide useful guidance. Over several months, the ILRC experts conducted this work and submitted a thorough report to UNDP.

SERBIA 2010Utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for Economic and Social Rights

for ADR was imperative to the success of the system.

SIERRA LEONE 2012Developing Cabinet Procedures

reform.

SOLOMON ISLANDS 2011Strengthening Government Institutions


Working together with my Solomon Islands’ colleagues to revise the organizational structure was one of my most enriching and personally rewarding career experiences. I was privileged to have the opportunity to work in Honiara and to travel by boat and plane to two of the provinces and to meet many local people. Getting to understand their difficult circumstances and to appreciate their enthusiasm in tackling their many challenges was indeed humbling, to say the least. I very much appreciate the support of the ILRC in making this consultancy possible.

Linda Buchanan

Ottawa, Canada

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With the support of the ILRC, I have been able to learn, teach and transfer knowledge with fellow Parliamentarians in the Sudan from as far as Darfur to Kassala. I have also worked with UNDP to strengthen parliaments in Afghanistan, Bahrain and Jordan. I would not have been able to do it without this tremendous support.”

Mac Harb

Ottawa, Canada

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SUDAN 2010Training on the Role and Functions of Parliament

The CPA in 2005 re-opened the door for multi-party democracy in Sudan. The CPA mandated general elections at six levels and further provided for referenda on self-determination in southern Sudan and Abyei in 2011. The UNDP project provided support to the democratic process in Sudan and promoted the participation of voters and other civil society stakeholders in all democracy-strengthening events. Using the electoral cycle, UNDP/Sudan wanted to emphasize institutional capacity building in the critical post-election period and assistance was provided to the National Elections Commission, its subsidiary bodies and stakeholders in the democratic process such as political parties, media, observers, women, youth and special needs groups. In offering support, the project provided fifteen introductory workshops for new members of the State Assemblies in Northern Sudan and a workshop for new members of the National Assembly.

The newly-elected members of the Sudanese Legislative Assemblies are a central function to the democratic process. The April 2010 elections were the first polls since 1986; consequently, the new parliamentarians had to confront a wide range of new responsibilities, duties and challenges. UNDP planned two-day introductory workshops for new members of the Legislative Assemblies in northern Sudan. The ILRC expert, a senator and former MP fluent in Arabic, assessed the priorities of the Assembly members’ roles as representatives. During the successful workshops, many questions arose on the balance between government and opposition members; how to successfully cooperate with one another in parliament; and how to effectively interact and communicate with constituents. Budgetary planning and oversight roles were also discussed.

SUDAN 2010Determining the Eligibility to Vote

In accordance with the 2005 CPA, Sudan was scheduled to hold two referenda—one on self-determination for South Sudan and the other on the administrative status of Abyei. The latter presented Abyei residents with the following choices, irrespective of the results of the other referendum: a) that Abyei retains its special administrative status in the north and b) that Abyei be part of Bahr el Ghazal. The South Sudan referendum presented the South Sudanese with the choice to either confirm a united Sudan or vote for secession.

The National Assembly adopted legislation for both the Abyei area and the South Sudan referenda. The Protocol on the resolution of the conflict in the Abyei area, set out in Chapter IV of the CPA, had conferred the Abyei area a special administrative status under the institution of the presidency in the north, in which Abyei area residents are dual citizens of both Southern Kordofan State in the north and Bahr el Ghazal State in South Sudan, with representation in both state legislatures. The ILRC report compiled the legal experts’ opinions on whether the CPA and draft South Sudan Referendum Act gave Abyei residents the right to vote in the South Sudan Referendum. The ILRC assembled a team of seven experts with relevant experience to provide legal opinion on Abyei residents’ rights. Working remotely over several months, the ILRC experts conducted this analysis and submitted a comprehensive report to UNDP.

SUDAN 2012Assessing Governance and the Rule of Law

The Strategic Partnership (SP) framework was created in late 2005 as a two-year co-financing partnership between UNDP and a number of other donor partners in support of the UNDP Governance and Rule of Law Programme in Sudan. The main objective of the SP was to strengthen governance and rule of law while supporting peace in Sudan and enabling progress towards achieving the MDGs. While most donors often conduct their own analyses, the partners agreed to conduct regular joint governance and rule of law analyses to provide strategic guidance in the prioritization of activities under partnership. A number of experts, including an ILRC expert, were selected to design a customized governance and rule of law assessment tool to be approved by the SP partners. With the agreed upon methodology, the team proceeded with desk analyses of country strategies and project reports, interviews with select stakeholders around the country and group consultations. The team presented their findings and recommendations in a single report which was circulated for further input and comment.


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I was selected to serve on the ILRC

panel of experts whose collective

response was provided on a pro bono

basis to UNDP/Thailand. For my part,

I prepared a brief memorandum that

outlined the nature and function of

a law reform commission; provided

examples of such commissions in

other jurisdictions; and, finally, included

lessons learned from UNDP support to

legislative drafting and/or law reform

commissions in Nepal and Serbia. As

such, I was able to draw upon my own

prior work for UNDP and the ILRC in

these countries, as well as to consolidate

my own knowledge of the valuable role

that Law Commissions can play in the

legislative reform process—especially

within the development contexts where

UNDP operates. My work for ILRC has

allowed me to fulfil my pro bono service

commitment to the legal profession,

while at the same time, representing the

ABA within the international community

on topics related to international, foreign

and comparative law.

Richard Langan

New York, New York

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TANZANIA 2011Reviewing the Draft Anti-Corruption Bill

Tanzania’s President Kikwete emphasized anti-corruption legislation as a top priority. However, Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous island in Tanzania, did not have an anti-corruption body or specific laws on anti-corruption. Consequently, UNDP/Tanzania requested a review of Zanzibar’s Draft Anti-Corruption bill. Five experts working remotely provided legal opinion on a pro bono basis. This draft report summarized the experts’ observations and recommendations regarding the draft bill and further discussed the experts’ substantive comments and issues with respect to various individual provisions of the Bill and their legal or political implications. The report also summarized the experts’ questions for the bill drafters and editorial observations focusing on clarity and grammatical revisions.

THAILAND 2011Establishing a Law Reform Committee

Thailand’s Law Reform Committee was established to encourage public participation and contributions to ensure a just legal system. UNDP/Thailand was particularly interested in establishing and sustaining the participatory and consultative process between the Committee, general public and civil society. Two ILRC experts drafted a report that defined the role of law reform committees. One expert provided key observations by evaluating UNDP’s support to law reform commissions and legislative task forces. The

expert cited several examples from Nepal and Serbia to illustrate the observations and recommendations. The other expert provided links to law reform commissions from eight countries.

TIMOR-LESTE 2011Researching Discrimination Tests Applied by Human Rights Mechanisms

UNDP, along with OHCHR and the Provedoria for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), was engaged in a long-term (2007-2014) comprehensive program to support PDHJ’s institutional capacity to ensure its effectiveness in developing and implementing programs in accordance with its mandate. The project was in the early stages of developing a human rights textbook for Timor-Leste to be used as part of the human rights training curriculum for PDHJ legal offices. UNDP/Timor-Leste requested the ILRC’s legal research expertise to conduct comparative research on discrimination tests which are used by national and international forums. In response, the ILRC brought together a team of three experts to research discrimination tests applied by international and regional human rights mechanisms, as well as by constitutional or high ranking courts at national levels. The research on discrimination laws and tests from other small island states and developing nations provided a rich source of comparative law for the textbooks. This research also formed the basis of comparative analysis for the textbook’s chapter on discrimination and possibly to other chapters on vulnerable groups’ rights. The textbook was published in late 2012 as Timor-Leste’s first comprehensive legal human rights text in Portuguese and based on Timorese law and context. The publication provided a balance of theory and practical examples to empower jurists and human rights defenders in their understanding of human rights law in Timor-Leste.

TURKEY 2013Undertaking an Impact Assessment of the Judicial Reform Process

UNDP/Turkey started a judicial reform process in 2002 and since then, has introduced four reform packages and amended several primary laws, restructured institutions and developed a strategic plan for the MOJ, judicial reform strategy and action plan. However, there had been no comprehensive impact assessment of the reform process. The two main objectives of the project were to undertake an impact assessment of the judicial reform


The team of experts designing the customized governance and rule of law assessment tool in Khartoum.

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process, develop a strategic framework for the reforms and set up a sustainable monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

The ILRC expert, a retired senior magistrate from Pakistan, visited Turkey and held initial meetings with UNDP, the MOJ Strategy Department and Court of Cassation (Supreme Court of Appeals) to find out their expectations from the project. The expert drafted an inception report for UNDP and the MOJ outlining the importance of the process, method of data collection, outputs, work plan and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) matrices. The ILRC expert also developed a strategic framework for judicial reforms in line with the rule of law, other international standards

and best practices and conducted an impact assessment of the judicial reforms since 2002. Additionally, the expert developed an inclusive and sustainable M&E plan with clear performance indicators, baseline and data collection methods and a schedule linked to each responsible agency. For this purpose, the ILRC expert visited Istanbul and Ankara to collect data, laws and previous reports and conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders. Work on the impact assessment and M&E mechanism continued into 2014 and the expert completed his mission in September of 2014 with the submission of the Reforms Impact Assessment and Strategic Reform Framework reports.

TURKMENISTAN 2011Increasing Knowledge on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Working with other UN entities, UNDP/Turkmenistan implemented a project to promote and protect human rights. The objective was to increase knowledge on international human rights standards and mechanisms while strengthening Turkmenistan’s national capacities to promote and protect human rights in accordance with these standards. One component was to prepare a report for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including specific concepts such as accessibility. As a result, UNDP/Turkmenistan requested examples of workshops, training manuals, handbooks, publications and agendas on accessibility and related issues such as standards, guidelines, action plans and audits. The ILRC report corresponded with UNDP’s request and even shared relevant resources, categorized by: policy, legislation and implementation; information and communication technology; transportation; and architecture, buildings and environment.


With the consistent support of ILRC, I have been able to assess impact of legal and judicial reforms in Turkey. This assignment has been very rewarding for me, and helped me learn and understand the Venice Commission and international standards and checklists for effective and efficient judiciaries around the world.

Zafar Gondal

London, United Kingdom

Initial meetings between the ILRC expert and UNDP and the members of the Turkish Ministry of Justice to finalize details of the impact assessment.

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UZBEKISTAN 2011Collaborating with Non-Government Stakeholders in Decision Making Processes

Uzbekistan’s public administration reform project aimed to decentralize the governance system, build capacity of civil servants and enhance partnership capacities of local governments with civil society and the private sector. UNDP/Uzbekistan initiated the reform process with a pilot project in several regions, working with local NGOs, community and the private sector to plan and implement a regional development strategy. UNDP/Uzbekistan requested strategies on collaboration with non-government stakeholders in decision-making processes and consultations. The ILRC report emphasized the importance of including non-government stakeholders and provided an analysis of various methods. International comparisons showcased efforts in Georgia, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Russia, Tajikistan and the U.S.

UZBEKISTAN 2012Designing Laws on Civil Service

UNDP/Uzbekistan was interested in civil service systems framework laws, as well as supporting policies or secondary legislation on specific areas of the civil service sector. The ILRC drafted two separate reports to provide insight on civil service reform and the rationale behind the civil service sector reform. One report focused on sharing best practices and lessons learned for an effective and professional civil service development from UNDP’s countries of interest: China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, the UK and U.S. The second report focused on improving civil service systems in the areas of enrollment and recruitment, training and education (pre-service and in-service), financing, codes of conduct and transparency and accountability. The highlights and research excerpts from various countries allowed for UNDP/Uzbekistan to glean lessons learned from the most successful examples of civil service law reforms.

UZBEKISTAN 2012Reviewing Draft Law on Innovation and Innovative Activities

Considering the significance of innovative development for Uzbekistan’s economy, UNDP, with government support, began to implement a project on the development of innovation policy and technology transfer. The project activities included support revising

Strategic Reform Framework reports.

TURKMENISTAN 2011Increasing Knowledge on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

architecture, buildings and environment.


of the impact assessment.

The ILRC was supportive in providing international legal comparison of dozens of countries on the draft law on innovation as well as one-stop-shops for delivery of local public services. We used this analysis a part of our policy analysis for the Uzbek Government in updating the draft regulatory documents as well as in advocacy to promote private sector development and administrative reform. The ILRC provided practical international legal expertise in those countries on which comparative legal analysis had been sought for, so it was extremely useful for us to apply this first-hand knowledge to our evidence-based policy advisory services provided to national counterparts on key development challenges.

Azizkhon Bakhadirov

Legal Adviser

UNDP/Uzbekistan

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I had an opportunity to provide assistance to a team of lawyers on a project for UNDP/Uzbekistan related to public sector reform and modernization of government services using e-governance and OSS models, from May - July 2013. Together, we compiled information on experiences of several countries in implementing OSS, and associated legal issues such as right to privacy of information, access to information. It was a great learning experience to work with the ILRC team of experts, and to expand my knowledge of public sector development through this project.

Sansanee Dhanasarnsombat

Bangkok, Thailand

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the Draft Law on Innovation and Innovative Activity. The law was envisioned to create accelerated legal, economic, organizational and other conditions for turn-key production of competitive products on the base of modern, ecologically clean, safe, energy and resource efficient technologies. The ILRC was asked to analyze the draft law to determine if any regulations or legislative acts needed to be amended. Additionally, UNDP wanted a comparative analysis based on past relevant

experience, particularly from Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Singapore and South Korea on universally accepted principles and norms in the area of regulation of innovation activity and stimulation.

The ILRC assembled a team of seventeen experts working remotely from around the world. The experts were teamed to review each of the above-mentioned countries. Each team consisted of a senior and junior expert who analyzed the related country laws. The report summarized the experts’ observations and recommendations regarding the draft law. The report provided a comparative analysis based on the laws and past relevant experience of the other countries. It also provided a detailed, section-by-section analysis of the draft law, including recommended changes to the text. A comprehensive assessment of Uzbekistan’s National Innovation System was conducted by the end of 2012 with the support of other partners. Shortly thereafter, the draft law was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and submitted to Oliy Majlis (Parliament).

UZBEKISTAN 2013Introducing a New Public Service Delivery Model

After the ILRC’s initial analysis of different One-Stop-Shop (OSS) models, including a review of Uzbekistan’s legal status and frameworks, UNDP requested the review on the feasibility and sustainability of Uzbekistan’s proposed OSS model. UNDP/Uzbekistan wanted to know the best process to introduce the model into public administration system and what kind of back office reform and enabling environment was needed in order to provide favorable institutional framework for OSS. The ILRC expert reviewed Uzbekistan’s OSS concept note, master plan, the Doing Business report on Uzbekistan and other analytical information and materials in order to prepare draft comments based on general experience and best practices with respect to OSS implementation in other countries. Regarding the OSS model, the expert specifically focused on the legal considerations that arise in the context of OSS implementation and provided additional insights relating to the development of an effective OSS system, based on general experience and best practices learned from the implementation of other countries’ OSS systems. To further supplement this work, the ILRC engaged four junior experts to conduct a comparative study on OSS models from 21 countries. This separate report detailed OSS-related legislation and regulations from thirteen developed countries.


Working with ILRC, we had the opportunity to work with Uzbekistan on some groundbreaking initiatives that could significantly modernize and streamline the country’s government procedures. It is a unique opportunity to be able to work with such a knowledgeable and diverse team on projects that potentially impact business investment and every-day life for citizens in the country.

Melanie Frank

Washington, D.C.

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YEMEN 2011Comparing Findings on Human Rights Public Awareness Surveys

While working with the Ministry of Human Rights to finalize a report on the nationwide human rights public awareness survey, UNDP/Yemen requested information on surveys for a regional comparison. The ILRC report included several regional examples and analyzed the methodology used in the regional surveys as well as UN agencies and other international organizations’ surveys on human rights issues. This information was supplemented with useful resources on human rights public awareness program surveys and suggested best practices for conceptualizing surveys.

ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL CENTRE 2011Providing Legal Aid to Female Prisoners

The UNDP/Asia-Pacific Regional Center requested assistance to develop a TOR for legal assistance for female prisoners on their cases. The ILRC shared its research related to legal aid and included TORs with legal aid components from other UNDP projects to serve as points of reference in the development of their own TOR.

BRATISLAVA REGIONAL CENTRE (BRC) 2010Linking National Human Rights Institutions and Anti-Corruption Agencies

UNDP/BRC developed a project to improve the cooperation between Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACA) and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI). Since UNDP wanted to include a training component, the ILRC report analyzed education and trainings related to ACA and NHRI. The report provided a general description of ACA and NHRI, as well as their functions, turning to examples of joint projects between the two in other countries, while weighing the advantages and disadvantages of joint funding. General linkages between corruption and human rights abuse were also analyzed and the report concluded with suggestions related to access to justice.

BRATISLAVA REGIONAL CENTRE 2011Promoting Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities

UNDP/BRC developed a study on human rights and access to justice for persons with disabilities that focused on ratification, implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Two project components involved the enhancement of access to justice for people with disabilities and strengthening the capacity of human rights and justice institutions. To support the Center’s study, the ILRC prepared a desk review with examples of successful interventions of CRPD ratification and implementation, as well as suggestions to strengthen human rights systems to support these goals and measurements to eliminate barriers to access by persons with disabilities.

BRATISLAVA REGIONAL CENTRE 2012Assessing Governance in the Water Sector

A number of UNDP centers were in the early stages of developing a user’s guide on water governance to improve the ability to select, adapt and develop appropriate assessment frameworks and indicators for conducting governance assessments in the water sector. UNDP/BRC requested information, documentation, links and contacts that would help to conduct a comprehensive map of existing assessment tools, directly or indirectly related to water. The Centre also wanted to identify water sector issues and indicators for stakeholders assessing governance. The ILRC report provided research papers, reports and case studies on stakeholders’ issues with water governance and an assessment of water governance from every continent. The report also detailed the strengths and weaknesses of some of the current water governance assessment tools while highlighting a few new approaches to water governance assessments. The report briefly touched on the development of appropriate and useful indicators for the accurate assessment of water governance. Other perspectives on the role of governance could be found throughout most of the articles that were mentioned in the report and indicated as such.


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OSLO GOVERNANCE CENTRE 2011Addressing Corruption in Harbors and International Ports of Entry

Corruption in harbors and ports of entry often delay cargo and increase transaction costs and unpredictability. Shipowners approached UNDP to explore establishing a pilot project to address corruption in harbors and other international ports of entry. An ILRC expert with experience in infrastructure and mining projects in Africa provided general comments on customs reforms and the implementation of customs frameworks from his experience in Congo, Madagascar, Niger and Tunisia.

PROGRAMME ON GOVERNANCE IN THE ARAB REGION (POGAR) 2010Implementing Whistleblower Protection Systems

Upon deciding to implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Articles 8 and 33, as they relates to whistleblower legislation and protection, UNDP/POGAR wanted to develop a publication supporting Arab decision makers’ capacity in the executive and legislative branches. The ILRC offered a country-by-country analysis of successful implementations of those Articles, starting with recent efforts by China, where a hotline was established to enable people to call in and report inconsistencies. Other notable country examples included France, which adopted whistleblowing regulations in 2005 and South Africa, which adopted provisions in 2000 under the Protected Disclosures Act. This Act allows the whistleblower to invoke any court’s jurisdiction to protect himself against retaliation. The report also recommended the review of cultural reluctance to whistleblowing and consideration of specialized whistleblowing methods for specific issues and enforcement of penalties against wrongdoing uncovered through whistleblowing.

UN DEVELOPMENT GROUP (UNDG) 2011Mapping UN Agency Tools for Mainstreaming Human Rights

The UN Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO), which promotes social and economic rights within UNDG, undertook a mapping exercise to identify UN agencies’ knowledge products on human rights mainstreaming to make the resources more widely accessible via the UN Practitioners Portal on Human Rights Based Approaches (HRBA Portal) as well as enable DOCO to assess areas of human rights mainstreaming

that need more attention. To support this, the ILRC compiled a list of over fifty training manuals and case studies, organized by the topics listed on the HRBA Portal. The ILRC also identified resources for several additional topic areas to the HRBA Portal’s topics.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS (HQ) 2010Defining the Role of Parliamentarians in Development Effectiveness

UNDP/HQ sought peer reviewers to assess the quality of a guidance note for parliamentarians on their role in development effectiveness as well as the report’s arguments and thoroughness. The report focused on parliamentarians and those who work with them, and provided a discussion on the importance of accountability within international development. It emphasized that parliamentarians should prepare and plan ahead to best represent citizens’ interests; implement, legislate and scrutinize the budget to respond to citizens’ demands; and monitor outcomes and conduct effective oversight.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2011Committing to Good Governance

Good governance at all levels was one of the core sessions at the fourth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries. UNDP/HQ requested a brief overview of best practices in governance to provide as resources for the conference. In response, an ILRC expert on governance provided a summary of the crucial first steps of good governance, as well as lessons learned from the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo’s initiative to strengthen governance. The ILRC expert also provided recommendations to assist developing countries in their commitment to good governance.

One of the ILRC’s experts, a former MP, suggested shortening the length of the guidance note and clarification of certain terminology used more commonly in development rather than the political arena. The guidance note recommended establishing mechanisms for greater mutual accountability and included information on combating corruption and incorporating gender equality. The ILRC expert noted that development assistance is usually under the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ purview and an intergovernmental issue; he was concerned that parliamentarians’ actual ability to act independently of the executive on relationships with foreign actors may be overestimated.

BRATISLAVA REGIONAL CENTRE 2011Promoting Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities

with disabilities.

BRATISLAVA REGIONAL CENTRE 2012Assessing Governance in the Water Sector

the report and indicated as such.


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UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2011Transitioning from Civil to Common Law

UNDP/HQ was eager to find any studies of countries where common and civil law had been merged, where the system changed from civil to common law, or any experts with experience on this subject matter, particularly in Africa. The ILRC quickly responded with a compilation of resources suggested by its network of experts. The compilation provided examples of transitioning and mixed legal systems from Botswana, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa and Swaziland, as well as Canada, the Philippines, United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam. Given its access to highly qualified experts, the ILRC also presented sixteen experts with experience in transitioning or merging of civil and common law systems. Shortly thereafter, the report was shared with UNDP/Rwanda colleagues assisting on the drafting of a short policy paper on the transition to the common law system on behalf of the justice and legal sectors in Rwanda.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2011Discussing the Relationship between Illicit Financial Flows and Development

UNDP/HQ commissioned an e-discussion on illicit financial flows from least developing countries (LDC). The e-discussion was intended to analyze the scope and dynamics of illicit financial flows from LDC, research factors that create an enabling environment, improve understanding of these factors and explore available policy options. According to UNDP, illicit financial flows from LDCs are in the billions of dollars. These are funds that could otherwise be used for development, and even more so in these poor countries. The ILRC asked two certified anti-money laundering specialists to engage in the e-discussion. With combined expertise from the Caribbean, Central America, Central and Southeast Asia, Europe, Middle East and Pacific Islands, these experts shared their experiences and recommendations for future UNDP engagement in finding hidden resources for development.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2011Revising Approaches to Rule of Law and Transitional Justice

Rule of law and transitional justice interventions have significantly increased since 2004, the last year the UN had outlined its approaches to rule of law engagement. The

UN Deputy Secretary-General launched an e-discussion to elicit feedback on the rule of law sector’s progress and encourage forward-looking recommendations. The e-discussion was guided by the following: how could the UN build political will of national stakeholders; what was the role of access to justice; how could the UN address limitations in informal justice processes; and how could the UN strengthen the link between justice and the security sector. An ILRC expert provided a comprehensive report addressing all elements of the query, including insight from personal experience in each area of the report and extensive analysis of the approaches taken in several countries.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2013Applying a Gender Lens to Climate Change and Conflict

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery Team (DRRRT) of UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery undertook a study on gendered vulnerabilities to climate change and conflict in five countries in the Horn of Africa. Applying a gender lens helps to return a human-centered focus to development interventions, and move beyond the debate over causality in climate change. The DRRRT expanded their study and requested further insight on gendered vulnerabilities from around the world. The ILRC’s contribution focused on gender in the Muslim world, specifically at the interface between conflict and disaster. The details of the report were structured in a way that supported the focus on gender at the interface between disaster and conflict, and examined potential obstacles and recommended next steps.

The argument put forward in the ILRC report was that the delivery of aid and its long-term impact might be improved if the social, cultural, religious and traditional contexts are taken into account. Similarly, the struggle for women’s rights during conflict and disaster could benefit from taking into account the context. Beneficiaries and activists could then use culture, religion, customs, social norms and/or traditions as a positive tool to enhance gender equality rather than fall back on relativism.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2013Assessing the Challenges and Results of Capacity Development Interventions

UNDP/HQ launched a month long e-discussion, aimed at strengthening judicial integrity, to learn from UN


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entities and other development actors. The e-discussion sought to map lessons learned and best practices on strengthening judicial integrity. Among other issues, UNDP in particular wanted to better understand: people’s perception with regard to the fair and equal delivery of justice; the bottlenecks to engage with development projects that address judicial independence and integrity; the use of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct or UNCAC requirements to evaluate judicial reform; and increasing the evidence base on the impact of judicial capacity and integrity initiatives on corruption prevention. The ILRC report included: a) background material and resources on existing efforts to enhance judicial integrity and surveys of public views on judicial performance; b) feedback from an ILRC expert, a former judge, regarding his personal experience improving and measuring judicial integrity in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey; and c) questions and recommendations for further research and planning on this subject, developed from the collected material. Results of the e-discussion fed into the reinvigoration of justice sector programming and a refreshed look into corruption risks in informal justice systems, social accountability mechanisms, special anti-corruption courts and judicial integrity. A compilation of best practices for conducting CRA in the justice sector is to be assembled in 2014.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2013Improving Early Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Investigations and Proceedings

In an effort to eventually launch a handbook and training curriculum on early access to legal aid in criminal investigations and proceedings, UNDP and UNODC launched an e-discussion to gather input from country offices, experts and practitioners. Prior groundwork showed that in parts of Africa, there was little likelihood that people using the criminal justice process benefited from legal services, in addition to the lack of adequate protection during criminal justice processes, especially during the early stages. For the purpose of this e-discussion, early access referred to the provision of legal assistance at the initial phase of the criminal justice process, beginning from the time a person interacts with the police as a possible suspect through initial pretrial stages. The handbook and training curriculum were to increase knowledge and provide practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners on how to set up early

approaches taken in several countries.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2013Applying a Gender Lens to Climate Change and Conflict

next steps.

gender equality rather than fall back on relativism.

UNDP/HEADQUARTERS 2013

Development Interventions


access schemes, pre-requisites for their effectiveness, possible structure and delivery mechanisms and the roles and responsibilities of various actors. The ILRC submitted a report which outlined a variety of early access schemes that utilized paralegals, student clinics, public defenders, emergency access hotlines and other forms of legal aid. While the recent emergence of early access schemes limited available empirical data, the report attempted to outline best practices learned from existing case studies. In this regard, the report concluded that one of the essential components of any early access scheme is increased transparency and communication between national legal aid actors and their civil society counterparts, combined with regular information sharing between courts, prosecutors and other relevant judicial agencies. The report found that detained suspects are often unable to access even the most basic information about their fundamental rights and, as a result, are unable to utilize judicial mechanisms intended to protect against unnecessary pre-trial detention. The report also provided a selected list of relevant publications and studies pertaining to early access programs and related legal aid schemes.

UNDP & UNODC Headquarters 2013Mapping the State of Provision of Legal Aid

At the beginning of 2013, UNDP and UNODC requested the ILRC to provide an overview report on the provision of legal aid around the world. Four ILRC experts provided over 380 pro bono hours to conduct this research. The draft report included an overview of existing legal aid policies, legislative frameworks and institutions for the provision of legal aid as well as a brief outline on implementation. It also included a mapping of existing studies undertaken on the state of legal aid at country, sub-regional, regional and global levels and an analysis of existing gaps in the knowledge/evidence base on the state of legal aid. The sample for this report covered over fifty countries, almost entirely from the 140 countries in the high, medium and low human development categories. As a practical matter the report was limited to organizations and institutions devoted primarily to providing legal aid. UNDP and UNODC are currently conducting a global study on the provision of legal aid and aim to develop a publicly accessible database of the current legislation and models of legal aid.

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Drafting the report on legal aid around the world with a diverse team of experts enabled me to broaden my knowledge of the wide range of legal aid and legal empowerment activities that are underway in a large number of countries. This comprehensive report will provide a good base of information to enable the international community to support the efforts to make the rule of law a reality for the poorest and most disenfranchised people. It will also hopefully facilitate the creation of regional and global networks for sharing of information about different approaches to providing legal aid.

Dan Manning

Boston, Massachusetts

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Subsequently, UNDP requested a specific analysis of Ghana’s Legal Aid Commission Act 2013. Within a week, a team of nine experts, on a pro bono basis, reviewed the legal aid legislation, enacted in 1997, and also addressed areas in the new bill concerning the structure, definitions, scope, functioning of the Commission, payment and compensation for legal aid and the application process. General recommendations were made to the drafters and UNDP, including suggestions to specific sections of the bill.


UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (OHCHR) 2011Using Human Rights Approaches to Fight Corruption

Human Rights Council Resolution 7/11 unites the role of good governance with the promotion and protection of human rights. In an effort to support government and civil society actors involved in using human rights based approaches in the fight against corruption, OHCHR in Geneva sought further guidance. The ILRC report identified cases involving human rights violations caused by corruption and studies, programs and best practices addressing the connection between human rights, good governance and anti-corruption. Corruption and human rights issues tend to exist together and low ratings in development and democracy also correspond with those countries rated poorly in corruption and/or human rights. The report also included a comparison chart with country ratings in development, democracy, human rights and corruption to demonstrate the correlation between human rights and corruption.

UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) 2012Ensuring Gender-Responsive Rule of Law Programming

The UN/PBSO and UN Women conducted a series of e-discussions on gender-responsive peacebuilding to generate best practices and lessons learned, as well as identify strong examples of gender-responsive and transitional justice projects. Gender-responsive rule of law programming is essential to the implementation of Resolution 1325 (2000) that addresses women’s role in peacebuilding in post-conflict situations. The UN’s approach to rule of law requires systematic support and focus on women and girls’ rights to security and justice before, during and after conflict. This report highlighted some activities at the grassroots level as well as the structural levels around the world that attempted to meet the principles of gender-responsive rule of law. Specifically, examples from Myanmar, Laos PDR, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tibet and Uzbekistan were provided. Transitional justice mechanisms such as truth reconciliation commissions, special courts and legislations that address gender violence, women’s rights and peacebuilding through gender lens were discussed. The report provided some recommendations regarding gender-responsive rule of law and raised a number of important questions for further research.

Working with other legal experts in the field of legal aid and legal empowerment allowed me to expand my own understanding of the complexities faced by practitioners when addressing this issue. It also allowed for the creation of a very comprehensive and useful report on the state of legal aid that incorporated varied perspectives on an issue of fundamental importance to the promotion of the rule of law.

Asa Solway Mitrovica, Kosovo

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4 against Women and Girls invited

The ILRC provided critical technical expertise and inputs to UN Women in the development of global guidance for the Justice and Security sectors in addressing violence against women and girls. The ILRC members were also instrumental in facilitating the transfer of this guidance to the broader network of practitioners through a very well received online webinar.

Dina Deligiorgis

Knowledge Management Specialist

Ending Violence against Women

UN Women/New York

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UN WOMEN/HEADQUARTERS 2011Reviewing Modules on Security and Justice Sectors

The UN Women Global Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence4 against Women and Girls invited the ILRC to contribute in the review of programming modules working with the security and justice sectors to end violence against women and girls. The Centre provides an online evidence-based resource complete with guidance, tools and country examples of best practice to support effective planning and design, implementation and M&E of programs to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. This resource is divided into fourteen programming modules that offer essential information and guidance for programming to address violence against women and girls including: basics on the forms, prevalence and consequences; international frameworks; primary challenges; strategies for prevention and response; and a full module on M&E. Furthermore, the site presents more than 800 products and features available in over sixty languages and is expanded and updated on an ongoing basis to ensure that practitioners have timely access to current information, knowledge and resources. The ILRC was invited to specifically review the security and justice sector programming modules.

The security sector knowledge module outlines key approaches and intervention strategies for engaging the security sector and provides step-by-step guidance on how to design, implement, monitor and evaluate initiatives that work primarily with the police (and in specific contexts, the military) to respond to violence against women and girls. To aid in this review process, the ILRC identified seven gender experts with expertise in working with security sector actors—all of whom had experience working on questions relevant to violence

against women. The experts provided feedback on the strengths and weaknesses in the prepared draft. This constructive feedback included the user-friendly character of the resource centre, while simultaneously expressed concerns on the lack of language choice.

The justice sector plays a powerful role in coordinating a response to ending violence against women and girls. The programming module delves into how the justice sector uses the authority of the government, or the community, to enforce laws and rules of behavior that can protect women and girls from violence and punish perpetrators. The ILRC identified five additional gender experts to provide comments for this module. The experts’ comments were similar to those for the security sector module only differing in context. The experts’ comments highlighted challenges posed by cross-jurisdiction responsibilities; the conflict between inter-agency mandates; gaps in the M&E processes; difficulties in interface between the informal and formal sectors; and the need to promote broad-based cultural change. There were also issues with repetitiveness and the need to provide definitions of terms that may differ due to culture or jurisdiction.

After the ILRC experts provided comments, UN Women invited the ILRC to co-host a webinar. The webinar offered the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion on the UN Women’s Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and Girls, which features global programming guidance, promising approaches, tools and other resources to support ILRC members working to address violence against women and girls. There was an introduction and website tour, followed by a discussion with a number of ILRC gender experts who had contributed to the reviews of the knowledge programming modules on the security and justice sectors.


4For more information, please visit: www.endvawnow.org/.

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Justice Defenders ProgramThe ILRC also provides support to the entities within the ABA that need the assistance of international experts.

The ABA Justice Defenders program, housed within the ABA Center for Human Rights provides pro bono legal assistance to human rights advocates working in difficult environments and vulnerable circumstances. In 2013, the program requested an

attorney to observe hearings in a Venezuelan trial and experts for a workshop in India to discuss litigation strategies and share best practices concerning the investigation and prosecution of atrocities. The Justice Defenders program continues to seek assistance from the ILRC on an as-needed basis.

For more information, please visit: www.americanbar.org/groups/human_rights/justice_defenders.html.

WORLD BANK GROUP

Debt Resolution and Business Exit ProgramThe Debt Resolution and Business Exit program (referred to in this report as the ADR program) of the WBG assists countries in improving their insolvency and ADR systems. The Debt Resolution and Business Exit team advises governments through World Bank Financial and Private Sector Development and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Advisory Services regional teams, on legislative and institutional reforms that closely engage key private sector constituents, including commercial banks, but also chambers of commerce, business associations, as well as independent private ADR centers.

For more information, please visit: www.wbginvestmentclimate.org/advisory-services/regulatory-simplification/debt-resolution-and-business-exit.

The Section and the ILRC have collaborated with the ADR program on the following projects in Pakistan, Morocco, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Egypt.

Pakistan 2011

The ADR program was instrumental in institutionalizing ADR and mediation, particularly in Karachi and Lahore. One significant milestone was the establishment of the Karachi Centre for Dispute Resolution (KCDR) in 2007, the first mediation center in Pakistan. More than seventy professionals were trained on foundation, advanced and consolidated levels of mediation training. The ILRC began to support the ADR program in conjunction with the Section’s Mediation Committee in 2010. The first collaboration related to mediation advocacy trainings in Karachi. The ILRC expert delivered mediation advocacy trainings in Karachi to members of the bar associations, bar councils, law faculties and law students in early May 2011. Resource materials on mediation and mediation advocacy for the legal profession were distributed to participants.

Morocco 2012

Under the framework of the ADR program in the Middle East and North African region, the ILRC provided best practices and experiences of integrating ADR in business and law schools curricula. Two Section representatives presented best practices at a workshop in Casablanca organized by the IFC in partnership with the Moroccan MOJ and the Ministry of Higher Education. Present at the workshop were presidents of commercial and first instance courts, deans of business and law schools in Morocco, mediation center presidents as well as other notable stakeholders with a vested interest in developing ADR in the educational space in Morocco. There were follow up discussions on how to include courses on alternative forms of dispute resolution and mediation in their university curricula.

Lebanon 2012

Also within the regional ADR program, IFC in Lebanon aimed to promote and institutionalize mediation as a cost efficient alternative to solve commercial disputes in Lebanon, where it took an average of 721 days to resolve a business dispute in the courts. The workshops were a part of the curriculum development activities. The IFC project builds the capacity of lawyers and professionals by providing accredited mediation training according to international standards and trained master trainers to secure sustainability over time. The project sought to build the institutional capacity of two mediation centers at the Chamber of Commerce of Beirut and the Tripoli Bar Association, and raise awareness with all stakeholders including the business community on the benefits of


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Pakistan 2011

legal profession were distributed to participants.

Morocco 2012

their university curricula.

Lebanon 2012



mediation for commercial disputes. IFC also planned to assist the MOJ in drafting a law on court-referred mediation and improving the judges’ knowledge of mediation.

In this context, and in order to foster a culture of mediation among future generations of business persons and legal professionals, IFC engaged with business and law schools to develop a curriculum on mediation to be taught in undergraduate classes. In June 2012, a Section representative presented at a workshop in Beirut. The presentation focused on how mediation is typically practiced in commercial settings in the U.S., the degree to which it has become widely accepted and how most corporations now favor it as a method of dispute resolution. He also spoke on various methods of teaching mediation in law school and how typical law school classes in the U.S. use a curriculum that contains mock mediations and other exercises that enable students to engage in role-play. There was a general roundtable discussion following the workshop. Those who attended were quite interested in promoting mediation and considered its adoption in their respective curricula.

Bangladesh 2012

On November 6, the Section hosted the Honorable Shafique Ahmed, former Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Bangladesh and a champion of the ADR reform efforts in Bangladesh. He had worked closely with the IFC and some of their initiatives, which included amending the Civil Procedure Code in Bangladesh to introduce mandatory mediation for commercial disputes; establishing the first ever arbitration center in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh International Arbitration Center; and introducing legislative changes to promote Tax ADR (in particular, facilitation of voluntary mediation in income tax, customs and value added tax disputes). The Minister and his delegation observed a live mediation at the Washington DC Superior Court’s Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division (Multi-Door) and met with ABA representatives and ILRC members for a panel discussion.

Egypt 2013

In early 2013, the ILRC hosted an Egyptian delegation of representatives from the MOJ and judges from Economic Courts and Commercial Circuit Courts.

Initiated and coordinated by ILRC, we were able to put together experienced mediation experts to meet with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice delegation in both New York City and Washington, D.C. In the midst of drafting a new Mediation Law for Egypt, the Delegation listened keenly to the group of experienced mediation experts on recommendations and insights on the draft law. The experts engaged with the Egyptian Delegation and responded to their astute questions on various aspects, issues and factors in mediation and mediation law. The exchanges were open, cordial, collaborative and mutually well appreciated.

Chuck Crumpton

Honolulu, Hawaii

5For more information about the Washington DC Superior Court’s Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, please visit: www.dccourts.gov/internet/superior/org_multidoor/main.jsf.

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2013 marked the official launch of the joint publication “Immediate Resolution: The Role of the Lawyer in Out-of-Court Dispute Resolution.” Speakers shared past experiences in Pakistan and the role of the legal profession in the implementation of mediation reforms. IFC offices in Cambodia, Lebanon, Morocco, Serbia, South Sudan and Viet Nam participated via video and phone conference. At that time, this publication was the second most-read 2013 publication within the WBG’s Investment Climate Department.

The publication provides lawyers with specific reasons on why they should recommend mediation to their clients. The ABA team, with experience in international development, business law, mediation and dispute resolution, drew upon further expertise from the Section’s Mediation Committee to explain mediation, how it works and why lawyers should incentivize their clients to use mediation. The ADR program discovered that practicing attorneys maintain certain misconceptions about commercial mediation. Among the misconceptions addressed were: the myth that there is no role for the lawyer in mediation; mediation eliminates the lawyer’s role as advocate and representative; lawyers have nothing to gain and everything to lose when it comes to mediation; and perhaps most importantly, mediation undercuts fees that attorneys can charge.

The significant role that attorneys play in mediation were detailed, including the need for able representation in the mediation process; advocating for a client’s interests in the mediation; to counseling clients on options in the dispute; developing negotiating strategies; and ensuring the mediated solution is a legally enforceable contract. Using examples from around the world, the publication illustrated how mediation can effectively solve a client’s needs while diversifying attorneys’ practice. Finally, it addressed billing concerns, showing how attorneys can structure their fees to reflect the service that their client receives.

The MOJ was preparing a draft mediation law that incorporated a mix of mediation models—judicial, private, mandatory (for certain cases) and voluntary. Before finalizing this bill, the Ministry was keen to learn from U.S. experience in implementing these models and wanted to meet with institutions and practitioners active in ADR, particularly mediation. The delegation wanted to learn about the operation of court mediation departments; involvement of judges in mediation and management of those cases; organization of private mediation service providers; regulation of professional mediators; and the design of training programs.

Over the span of a few weeks, the ILRC organized a team of ABA members to analyze the draft mediation law and address some issues and challenges with the implementation of the law. On February 21, the delegation observed a live mediation at Multi-Door and then engaged in a session to learn the nuts and bolts of the Multi-Door program. Afterwards, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP hosted a lunch where ABA representatives spoke on the abovementioned mediation topics. Additionally, two side sessions were organized on investor-state dispute prevention strategies and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (commonly referred to as FINRA) administrative and processing procedures. Altogether, at least 27 mediation experts supported this project.

Joint ABA and World Bank Publication 2013

The Section’s Mediation Committee, through a team of volunteer attorneys, collaborated with IFC over the course of 2012 to create a working publication to advocate for the use of commercial mediation. November 5,


6The publication can be accessed at: www.wbginvestmentclimate.org/advisory-services/upload/Im-mediate-Resolution_The-Role-of-the-Lawyer-in-Out-of-Court-Dispute-Resolution.pdf.

Members of the Egyptian Delegation with ABA representative Duncan Cameron.

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Investment Climate Department.

about commercial mediation. Among the misconceptions addressed were: the myth that there is no role for the lawyer in mediation; mediation eliminates the lawyer’s role as advocate and representative; lawyers have nothing to gain and everything to lose when it comes to mediation; and perhaps most

can charge.

receives. 6The publication can be accessed at: www.wbginvestmentclimate.org/advisory-services/upload/Im-mediate-Resolution_The-Role-of-the-Lawyer-in-Out-of-Court-Dispute-Resolution.pdf.

The Doing Business team thanks the ABA and ILRC members for generously and enthusiastically sharing their legal expertise for World Bank Group research each year.

Doing Business Team

The ILRC’s large network of experts contributed to the success of the Benchmarking Public Procurement project and the professionalism of the ILRC staff made my experience more enjoyable. Thank you and hope to continue our partnership in the future.

Tania Ghossein

Special Initiatives Unit, Development

Economics

World Bank Group

Washington, D.C.

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Doing Business ProjectThe Section was invited by the Doing Business project at the World Bank and IFC to contribute to the 2013 edition of the global Doing Business report. Doing Business researches business laws and regulations in over 185 countries. On October 23, 2012, the World Bank launched Doing Business 2013: Smarter Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises. The results of the research were presented in an annual report, considered one of the most high-profile publications produced by the WBG (over five million site visits per year). The report sought experts in eight legal areas: starting a business (corporate law); employing workers (employment law); registering property (real estate law); getting credit (collateral law); protecting investors (corporate law); enforcing contracts (commercial litigation); resolving insolvency (bankruptcy); and paying taxes (tax and accounting law).

Doing Business relies on pro-bono contributions of legal professionals to update the data annually; accordingly, Doing Business looked to expand their network of legal contributors by reaching out to Section and ILRC members to participate in research surveys for this project. Participation enables contributors to utilize their firm’s expertise to improve business regulations in their own economy and worldwide. In general, contributions to Doing Business have made an impact—over 380 business regulation reforms were inspired by the project since 2004. Contributors and their firms are acknowledged in the report and on the Doing Business website. Additionally, contributors have expressed that completing the surveys each year keeps their professional

skills sharp as it requires them to keep up-to-date on changing regulations. Doing Business also serves as a knowledge resource for academics, journalists, private sector and others interested in the business climate of each country. Over 200 Section and ILRC members expressed interest to provide contributions for the 2013 report edition.

In 2013, the same support was provided to the Doing Business project. At least 100 experts from 32 countries,

referred by the ILRC, volunteered to provide contributions. The 2014 report, Understanding Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises, assesses regulations affecting domestic firms in 189 economies and ranks the economies in ten areas of business regulation, such as starting a business, resolving insolvency and trading across borders. The report was the 11th edition of the Doing Business series.

For more information, please visit: www.doingbusiness.org.

Similar assistance has been requested by another a new World Bank global project, the Benchmarking Public

Procurement (BPP). The BPP initiative aims to assess the accessibility and efficiency of public procurement systems around the world against good practices and identify ways of improvement.

For more information, please visit: rru.worldbank.org/Public-Procurement.


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changing regulations. Doing Business

report edition.

In 2013, the same support was provided to the Business

report,

edition of the Business series.

doingbusiness.org.

identify ways of improvement.

org/Public-Procurement.



Women, Business and the LawIn 2011, Women, Business and the Law (WBL) at the World Bank invited the Section to contribute to the second edition of the WBL report. The report focuses on setting out legal differentiations on the basis of gender in 142 economies around the world, covering six areas: accessing institutions, using property, getting a job, dealing with taxes, building credit and going to court. This project acknowledges the importance of wide-ranging factors for women’s economic opportunities, but focuses on one particular area—aspects of the formal legal and regulatory environment that enable women to find jobs or start their own businesses. WBL’s work entails surveying national laws, regulations and institutions that may affect women’s incentives and capacities to start businesses and get jobs.

The 2012 edition of the WBL report expanded its coverage to include additional topic areas on women’s economic rights. This report relied on the valuable expertise of legal practitioners to gather information on how the legal environment may impact women’s economic rights. For the second edition of the report, WBL was particularly interested in reforms implemented since June 1, 2009, relevant to women’s ability to participate in the workforce or start businesses.

In the same vein as Doing Business, WBL looked to expand their network of legal contributors by reaching out to Section and ILRC members. In particular they sought to update legal information through a series of questions included in family and employment law surveys. The employment law survey covered two of the six topic areas related to labor and employment law—getting a job and dealing with taxes; while the family law survey covered women’s ability to access institutions, use property and go to court (affordability of access to justice). Interested participants contributed by completing one of the two surveys, according to their area of expertise.

For more information, please visit: wbl.worldbank.org.

The ILRC has maintained a working relationship with Doing Business and WBL projects.

WORLD JUSTICE PROJECTThe World Justice Project (WJP) is a multinational, multidisciplinary initiative to strengthen the rule of law for the development of communities of opportunity and equity worldwide. Their work consists of three program areas: mainstreaming, rule of law index and scholarship. The WJP Rule of Law Index® is an innovative quantitative assessment tool designed by the WJP to offer a detailed and comprehensive picture of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law in practice.

In 2012, at least 100 Section and ILRC members from 38 countries expressed interest to contribute to the WJP Rule of Law Index reports by completing questionnaires in civil and commercial law, criminal justice, labor law and public health from their respective countries. One ILRC expert was awarded a full sponsorship from WJP to attend the World Justice Forum IV in The Hague in July of 2013. The Forum provides a platform to network, engage and discuss critical rule of law issues.

For more information, please visit: www.worldjusticeproject.org.

For information about all Section international projects, please visit: ambar.org/introl.

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Steering CommitteeTimothy L. Dickinson, Chair

Paul Hastings LLP

Don S. DeAmicisGeorgetown University Law Center & the International Law Institute

Jeffrey B. GoldenLondon School of Economics and Political Science & P.R.I.M.E. Finance

Former Members: Frederick Tipson (UNDP), Bruce Jenks (UNDP), Nina Berg (UNDP), Jim Silkenat (ABA), Peter Lichtenbaum (ABA), Kenneth H. Sheppard (UNDP), Michael

Marek (UNDP), Jocelyn Mason (UNDP) and Jennifer Topping (UNDP).

Advisory CommitteeThe ILRC would like to give a special thanks to those who have served as an Advisory

Member between the years of 1999 and 2014.

Brooks W. Daly Dominique de la Garanderie Bernice B. DonaldThe Hague, Netherlands Paris, France Memphis, TN, USA Isabel C. Franco Daniel R. Fung Elisabet Fura-SandstromSao Paulo, Brazil Hong Kong, China Strasbourg, France David Greene Robert J. Grey, Jr. Dianna P. KempeLondon, United Kingdom Richmond, VA, USA Hamilton, Bermuda Hongxia Liu William T. Loris Roberto G. MacLeanShanghai, China Rome, Italy Lima, Peru Peter D. Maynard Wallace J. Mlyniec Ramon M. MulleratNassau, Bahamas Washington, D.C. USA Barcelona, Spain Swithin J. Munyantwali W. Paatii Ofosu-Amaah Raul C. PangalanganKampala, Uganda Washington, D.C. USA Quezon City, Philippines Ann & Robert Seidman Francis M. Ssekandi Salli A. SwartzBoston, MA, USA River Vale, NJ, USA Paris, France J. Clifford Wallace Don Wallace, Jr. Chenguang WangSan Diego, CA, USA Washington, D.C. USA Beijing, China Kimitoshi Yabuki Tokyo, Japan

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ABBREVIATIONSAAR Abyei Area Referendum ACA Anti-Corruption Agency ADR Alternative Dispute ResolutionABA American Bar Association BPP Benchmarking Public Procurement BRC Bratislava Regional Centre

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

CERD Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement CPRD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

CRA Corruption Risk Assessment CSO Civil Society Organizations CTC Counter-Terrorism Committee CTED Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate DLC District Level Component DOCO United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office

DPP Directorate Public ProsecutorsDRRRT Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery Team EU European Union FINRA Financial Industry Regulatory Authority GBV Gender-based Violence HRBA Human Rights Based Approach HRCM Human Rights Commission of the Maldives HQ HeadquartersIFC International Finance Corporation IP Intellectual PropertyILRC International Legal Resource Center JACC Jordan Anti-Corruption CommissionJD ABA Justice Defenders Program JHRA Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan Project

JSC Judicial Services Commission KCDR Karachi Centre for Dispute Resolution LDC Least Developing Countries M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MDA Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDGs Millennium Development GoalsMOJ Ministry of Justice MP Members of ParliamentMPGIS Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening

NGO Non-Governmental Organizations NHRI National Human Rights Institutions NJP National Justice Programme OHCHR United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OSS One-Stop-Shop PDHJ Provedoria for Human Rights and JusticePOGAR Programme on Governance in the Arab Region

PBSO United Nations Peacebuilding Support OfficePPP Public-Private PartnershipsRSC Regional Service Centre SP Strategic PartnershipTOR Terms of ReferenceTOT Training-of-TrainersTRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNCAC United Nations Convention against Corruption

UNDG United Nations Development Group UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNFPA UN Population FundU.S. United States of America VAW Violence Against WomenWBG World Bank Group WBL Women, Business and the Law WRO UNDP’s Washington Representation Office WTO World Trade Organization


International Legal Resource Center American Bar AssociationSection of International Law1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20036http://ambar.org/[email protected]

Timothy L. Dickinson, Paul Hastings LLPFounder & Chair; ILRC Steering Committee

Michael E. Burke, Arnall Golden Gregory LLPILRC Co-Chair

Christina Heid, International Projects [email protected]; +1 (202) 662-1034

Jacqueline Gichinga, Sr. International Program [email protected]; +1 (202) 662-1662

International LegalResource Center2014 ANNUAL REPORT


2014 undp ilrc annual report

Law

otherunited nations

international capacity

legal education

legal system

ilrc works

ilrc chairman

advisory services

democratic governance