Needs-based Curricula and Programme Development for the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law

Professional, accountable and responsive criminal justice systems are essential for addressing a range of complex security challenges while safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law. To be effective, the entire system, from lawmakers to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, and prison administrators, and other actors involved in delivering and ensuring the accountability of justice and security services, require ongoing training and capacity development. Particularly in transitional, fragile and conflict-affected countries, developing the capacity of institutions that can uphold the rule of law and protect human rights are crucial for enhancing safety and security, strengthening accountability, promoting good governance.

This report, co-authored by the Global Center’s Alistair Millar and Matthew Schwartz, outlines a series of recommendations for the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) in developing a curricula and program agenda based on the diverse needs of a multi-national and cross-regional constituency of partner countries. Once established, the IIJ will serve as a training center dedicated to strengthening criminal justice institutions, promoting regional legal cooperation, and fostering criminal justice practitioner networks based on a respect for human rights and the rule of law. The core findings and recommendations of this report are derived from a larger European Union-supported study undertaken by an expert team led by Millar under the auspices of CIVI.POL Conseil. Based on extensive desk research, seven country visits, and consolations with more than 200 stakeholders, the study assessed criminal justice-related counterterrorism capacity building and training needs in 18 focus countries across East Africa and the Horn, the Middle East and North Africa, and West Africa the Sahel.

This policy brief explores how basic principles of organizational change can help intelligence and law enforcement agencies weed out human rights abuses and build organizational cultures that promote, rather than undermine, human rights and the rule of law in their efforts to counter terrorism.

Due to geographical proximity to the Sahel, the European Union and its member states cannot ignore the consequences of political instability that already spill over their own borders, whether through migration or various forms of smuggling. This policy brief offers thoughts on improving regional counterterrorism cooperation in the Sahel and the positive role that the EU might play.

This report provides an overview of the evolving terrorism threat in North Africa and analyzes how states in the subregion working with external partners, including the United Nations, European Union, and United States, can improve subregional counterterrorism-related cooperation. In particular, the report argues that because of its universal membership and distance from the politics of the region, the United Nations can play a unique role in catalyzing this cooperation.

The report is based on a series of consultations with representatives from states in the subregion, the United Nations, and relevant regional and subregional organizations as well as nongovernmental experts. Those consultations included a meeting cohosted by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) at its headquarters in Rabat, which included counterterrorism focal points and other representatives from states in the subregion. The project builds on recommendations made at a November 2007 conference held by ISESCO, the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Tunisian government in Tunis.

Available in French.