INSTITUTE ACTIVITIES
OUR SUPPORTED PAST & PRESENT ACTIVITIES
JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE SUPPORT (NED FUNDED)
(2011-2012) With a grant from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), IIRL implemented a program to strengthen civil society support for judicial independence through a program of seminars and publications focusing on this important pillar of the Rule of Law.
COMMERCIAL/PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT (WORLD BANK FUNDED)
(2011) IIRL worked with the World Bank to design a program of support for the Iraqi judiciary and State Shura Council in the area of private sector development.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE (WORLD BANK FUNDED)
(2010-2011) Through a series of consultations and workshops conducted throughout Iraq, IIRL assisted the World Bank in developing a program of support in the area of Access to Justice. This program is intended to be submitted to the Japanese Social Development Fund which expressed a commitment to implement Access to Justice programming over the next few years.
LEGAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT-ACCESS TO JUSTICE (USAID FUNDED)
(2010) IIRL provided an assessment to USAID in support of their strategic objective to improve the access of vulnerable and disadvantaged Iraqis by improving their practical knowledge of the Iraqi legal system, increasing the competence of legal professionals and improving government processes and procedures.
RULE OF LAW (USIP FUNDED)
(2006-2009) Directed all Rule of Law programs for the United States Institute of Peace in Iraq, including Constitutional Review/Enabling Legislation assistance, bolstering Judicial Independence, supporting Minority Rights and introducing transitional justice concepts, such as Truth and Reconciliation.
Additionally, IIRL facilitated the first ever joint Federal/Regional judicial summit which resulted in key agreements regulating interactions between the Federal and Kurdistan Regional judiciaries.
RULE OF LAW (UK EMBASSY FUNDED)
(2006-2007) Facilitated interaction between donor community and Iraqi judiciary and key ministries in Rule of Law Sectoral Working Group to identify and plan reform projects in Iraqi justice sector.
CONSTITUTION (USAID FUNDED)
(2005) IIRL directed the International Technical Assistance for the Iraqi Constitutional Drafting Committee.
JUDICIAL REFORM (INL FUNDED)
(2005) IIRL conducted a comprehensive needs assessment related to court administration and case management in Iraqi courts.
Activities of Key Officers (in Iraq since 2003, prior to establishment of IIRL)
LEGAL EDUCATION REFORM (USAID FUNDED)
(2003-2005) For 3 Law Schools (at Baghdad, Basra and Sulaimaniya Universities)
IIRL’s founders, prior to establishing this NGO, renovated law libraries, established moot courts, studied and proposed national legal curriculum reforms, coordinated Summer Abroad program for 40 law school deans and law professors, conducted five Rule of Law seminars on contemporary legal issues.
PROMOTING THE RESTORATION OF THE RULE OF LAW IN IRAQ
Established in July 2005, The International Institute for the Rule of Law is a registered Iraqi non-governmental organization. With an active and highly respected presence in Iraqi Rule of Law projects, IIRL helps facilitate human rights protections, international assistance, and judicial reforms.
OUR OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:
SUPPORTING JUDICIAL TRADITIONS
We acknowledge and support the long and respected judicial tradition in Iraq and work to ensure its continued independence.
PROVIDING HUMAN RIGHTS ASSISTANCE
We strive to bolster the Rule of Law in its various manifestations and provide assistance to needy individuals and groups to redress human rights violations.
DEVELOPING LEGAL SAFEGUARDS
Our group builds internal capacity among Iraqis with courses, conferences and symposia in order to develop internal safeguards to Rule of Law based legislation and institutions.
SUPPORTING A VALID CONSTITUTION
We buttress efforts to write and support a constitution which reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people and guarantees the Rule of Law.
CONTRIBUTING POSITIVELY TO BUILDING A VIBRANT SOCIETY
We support the long-standing and respected judicial tradition in Iraq and the preservation of its independence.
Even prior to the establishment of IIRL, our key officers were involved in advocating for the re-establishment of the Judicial Council and full independence from the Ministry of Justice, which was realized in Sept. 2003.