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The Institute applied the lessons of its
rule-of-law work to the challenge of building a viable justice system
in post-war Afghanistan. Here a panel discusses the "Prospects for
Justice in Afghanistan." |
Since its inception, the Institute has devoted increasing
attention to the relationship between types of governments and the prospects
for long-term peace or conflict. Research suggests that societies governed
by the rule of law are less likely to be international aggressors and
more likely to contribute to international peace. To address this issue,
the Institute created the Rule of Law Initiative in 1990, and it became
a full Institute program in 1999. The Rule of Law Program seeks to build
upon and refine principles on the rule of law articulated by various
international bodies and to provide practical guidance for their implementation.
The program is based on the premise that adherence to the rule of law
entails far more than the mechanical application of static legal technicalities;
it requires an evolutionary search for those institutions and processes
that will best bring about authentic stability through justice.
Projects
Ongoing research, consultation, and other work of the
Rule of Law Program focuses on such issues as transitional justice and
constitution making, justice and reconciliation, war crimes and humanitarian
law, and the administration of the international rule of law.
Activities and Publications
Numerous Institute publications and public events have
developed directly from the work of the Rule of Law Program over the
years. In addition, the program has responded to requests for legal
materials or other assistance on transitional justice from over 20 countries,
including South Africa, Russia, Malawi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Cambodia,
Guatemala, and the Czech Republic.
Rebuilding Afghanistan
Materials
As part of the Rule of Law's ongoing work in the field,
the Rule of Law Program is actively working with U.S. policymakers,
international organizations, and members of the NGO community to contribute
to rebuilding of the rule of law in Afghanistan.
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