ABOUT US
MISSION STATEMENT
IIRL Inc. and IIRL have been promoting, supporting and educating about the importance of the Rule of Law for over 10 years.
The mission of the International Institute for the Rule of Law, Inc. (IIRL Inc.) is to educate and promote the Rule of Law in various countries around the world. The Rule of Law does not have a precise definition, and its meaning can vary between different nations and legal traditions. Generally, it can be understood as a legal-political regime under which the law restrains the government by promoting certain liberties and creating order and predictability regarding how a country functions.
In the most basic sense, the Rule of Law is a system that attempts to protect the rights of citizens from the arbitrary and abusive use of government power. It is this principle that is at the heart of the mission of IIRL Inc.
IIRL-IrAQ'S MISSION IS FOUNDED UP ON THE FOLOWING PILLARS:
- Acknowledge and support the long and respected judicial tradition in Iraq and work to ensure its continued independence
- Bolster the Rule of Law in its various manifestations and provide assistance to needy individuals and groups to redress human rights violations
- Build internal capacity among Iraqis themselves with courses, conferences, and symposia in order to develop internal safeguards to Rule of Law based legislation and institutions
- Buttress efforts to write and support a constitution which reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people and guarantees the Rule of Law
IIRL INC. BOARD MEMBERS
We are a California Public Benefit/503(c)3 Corporation.
PROFESSOR MICHAEL BAZYLER
CHAIRMAN
Professor Michael Bazyler is a leading authority on the use of American and European courts to redress genocide and other historical wrongs.
Prof. Bazyler is the author of over a dozen law review articles on subjects covering public international law, international human rights law, international trade law and comparative law. He teaches Comparative Law, Public International Law, International Human Rights Law, International Business Litigation and Transactions, Criminal Law, Torts, Civil Procedure.
JUDGE JUDITH CHIRLIN, RET.
VICE CHAIR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER
(RETIRED JUDGE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SUPERIOR COURT OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES)
Judge Chirlin has been involved in numerous efforts to improve the legal system and the administration of justice in California, throughout the nation and around the world. Judge Chirlin travels extensively, consulting on programs for foreign judges, lawyers, police officers and other legal professionals in Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, Russia, Slovakia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, Georgia, Oman, Ecuador and Moldova.
THEODORE BUDGE
SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC), KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Mr. Budge is the principal financial and administrative office with management and oversight responsibility in the Keck School of Medicine’s fiduciary affairs (including asset management, budget planning and monitor, endowment fund management) as well as human resources, space management and research administration.
His expertise is in non-profit and education institutional finances and accounting procedures.
NADA AMMAR
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
FOUNDER OF AMMAR IMMIGRATION LAW (AIM)
Ms. Ammar is a California attorney who is also licensed to practice in her native Lebanon. Her dedication to advocacy for human rights was born through her involvement in refugee and humanitarian matters as a legal officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Beirut, Lebanon.
She earned her L.L.M. degree in International and Comparative Law from Chapman School of Law.
SERMID D. AL-SARRAF, J.D.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Al-Sarraf is a California attorney of Iraqi descent and practice in Los Angeles in the fields of commercial law, public contracting, real property, transitional justice, and international legal and constitutional reform.
In 2003, Mr. Al-Sarraf suspended his LA practice to work in the non-profit arena to restore the Rule of Law in Iraq and rebuild key legal and judicial institutions with grants from USAID, DFID, the World Bank, USIP, NED and other international donors.
In 2009, he founded a professional legal service (DSLM) to serve the growing foreign, ex-pat and international presence in Iraq.
LAYLA AL-MAHMOOD
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Mrs. Al-Mahmood is the Deputy Director and co-founder of IIRL. She plans, coordinates, and manages all IIRL programs and the finances of both IIRL & DSLM. She also manages its online legal translation service.
Mrs. Al-Mahmood has a BA in French Literature and a Diploma in English Language.
DR. ALI FAWZI
STATE COUNCIL ADVISOR
Dr. Ali Fawzi has a Ph.D. in Law and is currently an Advisor on the Iraqi State Council having been seconded from his position as Associate Dean of the Baghdad University Law School where he taught civil and commercial law courses since 2004.
Dr. Ali Fawzi also holds an Engineering degree and was the Chief Engineer in the Housing & Construction Ministry’s contracts department for over 15 years.
FAIZA AL-MASHAT
BOARD MEMBER
Mrs. Al-Mashat is an Iraqi lawyer who participated in the implementing of several IIRL projects.
She was the Legal Consultant for the World Bank Twinning Project between the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council (HJC) and the Dubai Courts. She supervised the secondment of HJC Human Resource Management and Court Administration staff with the corresponding court departments in Dubai.
She also served on the legal team representing the American Bar Association (ABA) in Iraq implementing its court needs assessment and automation project.
SUNDUS AL-TAIE
BOARD MEMBER AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Mrs. Al-Taie is the key implementer of most of the IIRL’s humanitarian projects.
She received training from OXFAM as well as project implementation experience from the International Red Cross. She has also delivered lectures on combatting violence against women and addressing issues of addition for young men.