The rule of law must be used as a tool to vindicate the rights of indigenous people and to ensure that development in the post-2015 era protects their lives, livelihoods, resources and environments, urged Judit Arenas, Deputy Permanent Observer of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) to the United Nations.
Following the April 2010 Revolution in the Kyrgyz Republic, an interim government came to power promising to end many of the injustices that had prompted the overthrow of the country’s previous two presidents. Many reforms carried out during the interim period were focused on improving the foundation and application of the rule of law. Despite initial steps made towards progress in this area, the political events of 2010, including ethnic violence, significantly undermined potential progress in the rule of law.
by Christopher Kerkering
Kenya's 2010 Constitution, whose implementation benefited from IDLO expertise, had helped build trust and confidence in the country's judiciary, IDLO Director of Global Initiatives Ted Hill said at a public lecture in The Hague this week. The subsequent Kenyan elections, in 2013, were the first in which disputes were resolved in court rather than in the street.
Good laws are one thing; implementation is another. Texts and statutes are critical instruments in advancing the rule of law -- but their benefits are limited if those tasked with their application, let alone their intended beneficiaries, fail to understand them. Where a gap develops between the law and what the legal profession makes of it, abuse and injustice will thrive.
IDLO is tackling this challenge of FS with partners in the World Bank’s Global Forum on Law, Justice and Development. A consortium led by the Organization will develop an assessment tool to assist strengthen national legal frameworks to respond to this emerging challenge. The tool will be tested in Uganda in the course of 2015.
In 2014 IDLO signed agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to build legal capacity to address public health challenges. The initial focus is on obesity, diabetes, healthy diets and physical activity. Also in 2014, IDLO, the WHO and the University of Sydney convened the first regional consultation on overweight, obesity, diabetes and law in the Western Pacific.
 Reflections From The Field
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