International Development Law Organization

IDLO began in 1983 as a non-governmental organization (then called International Development Law Institute) founded by three legal advisors to cooperation agencies in Egypt: L. Michael Hager (USA), William T. Loris (USA) and Gilles Blanchi (France), with the Board presided by Dr Ibrahim Shihata (founder of the OPEC Fund for International Development and Senior Vice-President and General Counsel of the World Bank from 1983 to 1998). The Board also included, among others, Professor René David. The Governments of the United States and Italy provided the start-up seed money and the Headquarter establishment agreement was signed in Rome in 1988. The Institute changed to an intergovernmental organization in 1991 after its first Assembly of Member States in 1990. After the Fall of the Berlin Wall, increased training and assistance was provided in the field of legal and judicial reform in developing and transition countries.{{Cite journal|last=Michael Hager and Alexandre Cordahi|date=May 1995|title=Training Lawyers for Economic Development and Banking|journal=Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law}} In the second half of the 90s, greater attention was also given to sustainable development and the civil society{{Cite journal|last=Alexandre Cordahi and Lawrence Tshuma|date=1999|title=Law, Globalization and Sustainable Development|journal=Development|volume=42|issue=2|pages=39–46|via=SAGE Publications|doi=10.1057/palgrave.development.1110034|s2cid=85097977}}{{Cite book|title=Governance, Development and Globalization|last=Edited by: J. Faundez, M.Footer and Joseph Norton|publisher=Blackstone|year=2000|isbn=1-84174-248-1|location=UK}} as well as to countries emerging from conflicts if not genocides (e.g. Cambodia, Rwanda). In 2002, the Institute was renamed International Development Law Organisation.{{Cite book|last=IDLO|title=2003 Annual Report|publisher=IDLO|year=2004|location=Rome-Italy|pages=17}} In 2001, IDLO was granted Permanent Observer Status at the United Nations.{{cite web|url=http://www.idlo.int/about-idlo/mission-and-history/our-history|title=About IDLO – Our History|website=idlo.int|access-date=2015-02-08|archive-date=2018-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123065652/https://www.idlo.int/about-idlo/mission-and-history/our-history|url-status=dead}} In 2014, IDLO opened a branch office in The Hague.{{Cite web|url=http://www.idlo.int/about-idlo/mission-and-history/our-history|title=Our History {{!}} IDLO|website=www.idlo.int|language=en|access-date=2018-01-13|archive-date=2018-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123065652/https://www.idlo.int/about-idlo/mission-and-history/our-history|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Internationale juridische organisatie IDLO naar Den|url=http://denhaagfm.nl/2013/11/04/internationale-juridische-organisatie-idlo-naar-den-haag/|website=denhaagfm.nl|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208145604/http://denhaagfm.nl/2013/11/04/internationale-juridische-organisatie-idlo-naar-den-haag/|url-status=dead}}

As an intergovernmental organization, membership to the organization is made up of signatories to the Establishment Agreement of IDLO.[http://www.idlo.int/about-idlo/governance/assembly-parties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208161718/http://idlo.int/about-idlo/governance/assembly-parties|date=2015-02-08}} IDLO - Assembly of Parties The thirty-seven Parties to IDLO's Establishment Agreement are:{{Cite web

| title = Governance

| url = https://idlo.int/about-idlo/governance

| website = IDLO

| publisher = International Development Law Organization

| access-date = 2024-04-03}}

File:International Development Law Organization Map.png

• Afghanistan
• Australia
• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Burkina Faso
• China [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Ecuador
• Egypt [Member of Standing Committee]
• El Salvador
• France
• Honduras [Member of Standing Committee]
• Italy [Vice President ex officio] [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Jordan
• Kenya [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Kuwait [Member of Standing Committee and Chair of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Liberia
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Mozambique [Vice President]
• Netherlands
• Niger
• OFID
• Pakistan [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Paraguay
• Peru [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Philippines [Member of Standing Committee]
• Qatar
• Romania
• Senegal
• Sudan
• Sweden
• Tunisia
• Turkey [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Uganda
• United States [President] [Member of Audit and Finance Committee]
• Vietnam

Member Party states form the Assembly of Parties, IDLO's highest decision-making body. Kuwait currently sits as President of the Assembly of parties while the US has won the vice-president post.{{cite news|title=IDLO handpicks Kuwait as Assembly of Parties pres.|url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2407280&language=en|access-date=7 February 2015|agency=Kuwait News|date=November 8, 2014}} The role of the Assembly is to determine the IDLO's policies and oversee the work of the Director-General.

Jan Beagle is the current Director-General of IDLO. She was first elected by Member Parties on 13 November 2019 and formally assumed office on 1 January 2020 for a four-year term. On 13 November 2023, she was re-elected for a second four-year term beginning in January 2024.https://www.idlo.int/news/highlights/idlo-director-general-jan-beagle-elected-second-term

IDLO's International Advisory Council is composed of:{{cite web|title=International Advisory Council|url=http://www.idlo.int/about-idlo/international-advisory-council|website=www.idlo.int|publisher=IDLO|access-date=17 August 2017|language=en|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108002545/https://idlo.int/about-idlo/international-advisory-council|url-status=dead}}

• Abdel-Latif Al-Hamad: Chairman and CEO, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development
• Abdou Diouf: Former President of the Republic of Senegal
• Willy Mutunga: Former Chief Justice of Kenya
• Thomas Pickering: Former United States Ambassador and Under Secretary of State
• Mary Robinson: Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Albie Sachs: Former Justice, Constitutional Court of South Africa
• Muhammad Yunus: Nobel Peace Laureate, Chairman of Yunus Centre and Founder of Grameen Bank

• Karen Johnson: General Counsel
• Romualdo Mavedzenge: Acting Director of Programmes
• Haroun Atallah: Director of Finance and Support Services
• Ilaria Bottigliero: Director of Policy, Research and Learning
• Mark Cassayre: Permanent Observer to the United Nations (Geneva)
• Henk-Jan Brinkman: Permanent Observer to the United Nations (New York)
• Liliana De Marco: Director of External Relations and Partnerships
• Cornelia Moussa: Director of Human Resources and Office Services

IDLO has worked in dozens of countries around the world, with the belief that justice means ensuring fair outcomes in concrete, local terms.{{cite web|author1=Irene Khan|title=Of Law and Chickens|url=https://agenda.weforum.org/2012/12/of-law-and-chickens/|publisher=World Economic Forum|date=12 December 2012|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208182236/https://agenda.weforum.org/2012/12/of-law-and-chickens/|url-status=dead}}

IDLO has been working in Somalia for the last thirty years, providing training to Somali legal professionals and technical assistance to the judiciary. Somali Prime Minister, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has called IDLO "a premiere institution that is supporting Somalia on its journey to peace and stability."{{cite news|title=Somali PM visits IDLO to discuss constitution|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somali-pm-visits-idlo-discuss-constitution|access-date=7 February 2015|work=Relief Web|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)|date=1 March 2012}}

In recent years, IDLO has worked on supporting the development of a Somali constitution and in the integration of customary justice. In 2011 IDLO created an assessment of traditional and customary justice, arguing that linking customary and traditional justice in a bottom up approach would be most effective.{{cite journal|last1=Joseph|first1=Nicholas|title=Serving the Justice Needs of the People: Adopting an Access to Justice Approach in Somalia's Rule of Law Reform|journal=The World Bank Legal Review|date=November 2013|volume= 5: Fostering Development Through Opportunity, Inclusion, and Equity|pages=263–275|publisher=The World Bank|isbn=978-1-4648-0037-5|doi=10.1596/978-1-4648-0037-5_ch13}}

Financed by the Italian government, IDLO worked with local experts on the country's provisional Constitution, holding consultative sessions with Mogadishu residents, refugees, and the Somali diaspora.{{cite news|title=Somalia: IDLO in Somalia - Still There, and Together Moving Forward|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201301161402.html|access-date=6 February 2015|work=AllAfrica|publisher=International Development Law Organization|date=15 January 2013}}

Towards the adoption of the Constitution, IDLO helped produce a comparative analysis of the new draft Constitution, the Constitution of 1960 and the Transitional Federal Charter of 2004 and supported the Constitutional Affairs and Reconciliation Ministry in hosting a conference on fundamental rights and transitional justice.{{Cite report |date=19 April 2013 |title=2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Somalia |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/517e6dd61c.html |publisher=US Department of State |access-date=7 February 2015}}

Following the adoption of the constitution by the National Constitution Assembly on 1 August 2012 IDLO drafted a report on providing analysis and suggestions for Justice and Security development under the new constitutional order. The report provides a description of steps to be taken during the implementation phase of the constitution, including the establishment of institutions, development and revision of legislative frameworks, and capacity building. It also sketches out dispute resolution mechanisms of the three legal systems in Somalia: xeer, Shari’ah, and the statutory judiciary.{{cite report |title=Supporting the Peaceful Implementation of the New Constitution in Somalia: A Preliminary Report |publisher=International Development Law Organization |date=October 2012}}

Comparing the draft constitution to those from 53 of the 56 member states of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, as well as the constitutions of Italy and the United States of America, IDLO found that it contained 36 of the 45 fundamental rights - placing it in the top five of the countries surveyed. The organization also stated that the Somali draft constitution contained 15 more than the Constitution of the United States of America.{{cite news|author1=Abdi Guled|author2=Jason Straziuso|title=Somalia constitution allows abortion to save mom, and|url=http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/somalia-constitution-allows-abortion-save-mom|agency=Associated Press|date=26 July 2012}}

IDLO has been active in Afghanistan since 2002, stating their intent has been to restore rule of law in the country and develop a new idea of justice, while respecting the principles of Islam.{{cite news|author1=Leonardo Guzzo|title=Ecco come le ONG vogliono rafforzare il sistema giudiziario in Afghanistan|url=http://www.loccidentale.it/node/88656|work=L'Occidentale|date=31 March 2010|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208161858/http://www.loccidentale.it/node/88656|url-status=dead}} Primarily Afghan staff have been used to train legal professionals in the country.

Following a survey taken by the IDLO in 2013, which found that women made up just over 8 percent of the country's judges, 6 percent of prosecutors and less than one fifth of lawyers, IDLO's Director General Irene Khan called for greater participation of women in Afghanistan's justice sector.{{cite news|author1=Maria Caspani|title=Afghan women need more female judges and prosecutors to get justice - report|url=http://www.trust.org/item/20140319112526-w75mh/|access-date=8 February 2015|agency=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters Foundation|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170045/http://www.trust.org/item/20140319112526-w75mh/|url-status=dead}}

Whilst the Constitution of Afghanistan offers protection to women, domestic and sexual violence are common and considered a family matter, dealt through informal justice systems composed of male elders.{{cite report |author1=Erica Gaston |author2=Tim Luccaro |title=Women's Access to Justice in Afghanistan | url=http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW98_Women%27s-Access-to-Justice-in-Afghanistan.pdf| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218001207/http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW98_Women%27s-Access-to-Justice-in-Afghanistan.pdf| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 18, 2014|publisher=United States Institute of Peace |date=July 17, 2012}} In June 2009, IDLO launched Afghanistan's first Violence against Women Unit, with support from the office of the Attorney General of Afghanistan. IDLO reports that in 2010 the unit handled more than 300 cases.

In December 2010 The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) contributed $12.1 million to expand and improve legal aid services to the poor and disempowered, increase public awareness of legal issues, rights and services, and improve the investigation and prosecution of crimes against women and girls.{{cite web|title=The U.S. Contributes $12.1 Million to IDLO to Improve Legal Services in Afghanistan|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/12/153390.htm|website=US Department of State|access-date=8 February 2015|date=December 21, 2010}}

On 11 April 2013 INL announced it would provide IDLO a further $59 million for programmes in Afghanistan: $47 million to fund IDLO implement training programmes for the Afghan justice sector – the Justice Training Transition Program (JTTP) – and another $12 million for a separate IDLO program to provide support and training for prosecution of crimes against women.[http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2013/04/20130412145712.html Department of State Press Release U.S. Supports Justice Reform in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Phillip Kurata, US Department of State, 12 April 2013]

In January 2014 the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) released a report highlighting it believed there to be a lack of oversight requirements in INL's 2013 contract with IDLO in relation to JTTP . SIGAR had previously warned of a lack of monitoring in an ‘alert-letter’ to the State Department sent to the State Department on July 22, 2013.{{cite news|author1=Kellan Howel|title=Oversight lacking for Afghan training funds|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/24/oversight-lacking-afghan-training-funds/|work=Washington Times|date=24 January 2014}} The letter also accused IDLO of refusing to provide SIGAR with information regarding its budget, organizational structure and financial relationship with the US government.

In response to SIGAR's 2013 statement, State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said that there were no allegations or evidence of fraud, waste or mismanagement in the program and that oversight was provided through daily contact on the ground.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} In a letter responding to SIGAR's claims, INL highlighted mechanisms of accountability and stated their confidence in the IDLO program.{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/sca/rls/214289.htm|title=Letter Regarding the SIGAR Inspection of INL Justice Training Transition Program|website=U.S. Department of State}}

In a statement posted on their website IDLO called their monitoring and evaluation mechanisms ‘robust and extensive’. IDLO also refuted SIGAR's statement that it had refused to provide information writing that they had met with SIGAR staff in April and May 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlo.int/news/highlights/sigars-letter-secretary-john-kerry-incorrect|title=SIGAR's letter to Secretary John Kerry: Incorrect|date=March 19, 2014|website=IDLO - International Development Law Organization}}

IDLO provided the newly established country of South Sudan with technical legal assistance; training the judiciary in both the fundamentals of common law and, during the process of transition away from a Shari’ah based legal system, in ‘legal’ English.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlo.int/news/highlights/south-sudan-law-fragile-state|title=South Sudan: Law in a Fragile State|date=March 25, 2014|website=IDLO - International Development Law Organization}}

With funding from the European Union in 2014, IDLO scaled up their work in South Sudan, delivering a series of context-specific training courses to 150 newly appointed judges and judicial support staff.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlo.int/news/highlights/strengthening-justice-institutions-south-sudan|title=Strengthening Justice Institutions in South Sudan|date=September 11, 2014|website=IDLO - International Development Law Organization}}

IDLO also stated it was providing technical assistance in drafting a permanent Constitution for South Sudan.

Working with constitutional scholars Zachary Elkins and Tom Ginsberg, IDLO sponsored a group of constitutional scholars from universities in America to review drafts of the Kenyan constitution and provide feedback to the Kenyan Parliament.{{cite web|title=Government Professor Advises Drafters of Proposed Kenyan Constitution|url=http://www.utexas.edu/news/2010/08/02/elkins_kenya_constitution/|website=University of Texas|access-date=2015-02-08|archive-date=2015-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329085232/http://www.utexas.edu/news/2010/08/02/elkins_kenya_constitution/|url-status=dead}}

In 2013, USAID partnered with IDLO to assist the Government of Kenya develop the comprehensive laws and policies required under the new Constitution, assisting the Kenyan Parliament in reviewing, analysing and passing 55 laws, including 16 required by the Constitution.{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaid.gov/kenya/fact-sheets/supporting-kenya-constitutional-implementation-process |title=USAID Factsheet: Supporting the Kenya Constitutional Implementation Process |access-date=2015-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170701/http://www.usaid.gov/kenya/fact-sheets/supporting-kenya-constitutional-implementation-process |archive-date=2015-02-08 |url-status=dead }} Investigators in the project used data and analyzed from over 3000 constitutions in the world to share with Kenya's Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) an analysis of the constitutional implementation process.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cickenya.org/index.php/newsroom/item/149-cic-meets-international-constitution-experts-on-safeguarding-the-implementation-process |title=CIC meets international constitution experts on safeguarding the implementation process |access-date=2015-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208180850/http://www.cickenya.org/index.php/newsroom/item/149-cic-meets-international-constitution-experts-on-safeguarding-the-implementation-process |archive-date=2015-02-08 |url-status=dead }} IDLO also implemented projects to strengthen the capacity of the judiciary and engage the public in the process.{{cite web|title=Securing Kenya's Constitutional Development|website=IDLO}} IDLO has also stated that they are working with the government of Kenya to advance gender equality across the country and enact gender provisions contained in the Constitution.{{cite web|title=Gender Reforms in Kenya's Public Service|url=http://www.idlo.int/what-we-do/initiatives/gender-reforms-kenyas-public-service|website=IDLO|date=8 April 2014 }}

An independent report found that its work in Kenya had provided support and services were delivered to fulfil identified needs COE and ensured the delivery trainings to educate Kenyans on the proposed Constitution before it was put to a national referendum. Despite some challenges, the report notes, IDLO consultants produced and delivered high quality technical reports and services which eventually contributed to the final version of the Constitution of Kenya{{Cite report |author=Rolene Guilland |date=17 November 2009 |title=Supporting the Committee of Experts on cCnstitutional Review |url=http://www.idlo.org/DOCCalendar/KENYA_FULL%20REPORT_%20Evaluation%20of%20IDLO%27s%20Technical%20Assistance%20to%20%20Kenya%20Constitutional%20Review%20Process%202010.pdf |access-date=25 January 2011 |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506141105/http://www.idlo.org/DOCCalendar/KENYA_FULL%20REPORT_%20Evaluation%20of%20IDLO%27s%20Technical%20Assistance%20to%20%20Kenya%20Constitutional%20Review%20Process%202010.pdf |url-status=dead }}.

A permanent IDLO regional office was set up in Kenya in 2011.

In a speech at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Director-General Irene Khan highlighted the importance of law in empowering women:

"A core principle of the rule of law is that we are all equal - equally protected by the law and equally accountable to it."http://www.idlo.int/sites/default/files/Irene%20Khan%20at%20The%20Graduate%20Institute%20Geneva%20-%2015%20September%202014_1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}

The organization's website states that across all of its programs, IDLO works to empower women.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlo.int/what-we-do/women-and-girls|title=Women and Girls|date=February 24, 2014|website=IDLO - International Development Law Organization}} In February 2013 IDLO released a report on women's access to justice, with a focus on improving customary justice for women.{{cite news|title=Why we need to make customary laws work for women|author1=Mark Tran|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/feb/06/make-customary-laws-work-for-women|work=The Guardian|date=6 February 2013}}

IDLO has a number of times, including at the UN,{{cite web |url=http://www.unrol.org/files/Statement%20by%20IDLO.pdf |title=IDLO Statement at UN High Level Meeting On the Rule of Law At the National and International Levels |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=8 February 2015 |archive-date=8 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008094036/http://www.unrol.org/files/Statement%20by%20IDLO.pdf |url-status=dead }} emphasized the importance of working with informal or customary justice systems and has released three edited volumes on customary justice.{{cite web|title=IDLO Publications on Customary Justice|url=http://natural-justice.blogspot.it/2013/02/idlo-publications-on-customary-justice.html|website=Natural Justice|date=28 February 2013 }}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.idlo.int/ idlo.int]

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Category:Intergovernmental organizations

Category:Organizations established in 1983

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Category:International law organizations

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