Afghanistan: Prospects for Justice

Image on right: International Security Assistance Force member on joint patrol in Kabul with the local police.

In the fifth of a series of Institute briefings on Afghanistan reconstruction since the Taliban ceded power in late 2001, legal experts addressed:

• What are the prerequisites for the establishment of a secure and accountable judicial system? How can foreign governments and international organizations support local institutions? What challenges exist in ensuring that Afghanistan's legal system complies with international standards as required by the Bonn Agreement?
• What are the current status and immediate needs of the justice system including the applicable law, judiciary, prosecutors, lawyers, police, prisons, and legal education?
• What options exist and are being explored to deal with the legacy of war crimes and past abuses?

Building upon previous Institute work on the challenge of building a framework for the establishment of security and the rule of law in Afghanistan, the discussion was webcast-live on May 7 and also included questions from the floor and the Internet audience.

Speakers

• Qadir Amiryar
  International and Islamic Law Expert, George Washington University
• Jamal Benomar
  Senior Advisor, UN Development Programme
• Lisa Dickieson
  Director, American Bar Association, Asia Law Initiative
• Paul Seils
  Senior Associate, International Center for Transitional Justice
• Neil Kritz
  Director, Rule of Law Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Archived Audio

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