Embassy Hosts Reception for Launch of Justice Reform Partnership
On Monday, March 3rd Ambassador Said T. Jawad hosted a reception to celebrate the launch of the Public Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C. Ambassador Jawad, U.S. Coordinator for Counternarcotics and Justice Reform Thomas A. Schweich, and co-chair of the Public-Private Partnership Robert O’Brien gave short remarks on the state of the Afghan Justice Sector, the need for comprehensive reform, and the benefits of this new partnership for Afghanistan. Ambassador Jawad expressed the Afghan government’s gratitude to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for launching the Public-Private Partnership in December 2007. “In Afghanistan, when you ask our citizens what they want, they all ask for three things: security, justice and roads,” he said. “You can write the history of the future as you respond to the demand of the people to build a just and prosperous society. Your partnership will help write not only the history of the future for Afghanistan but also contribute to regional stability and global security.”
The Public-Private partnership is designed as a meaningful way to connect the U.S. legal community to the Afghan Justice Sector by providing support and training through local Afghan institutions. Co-Chair Robert O’Brien just returned from Afghanistan and provided a first-hand account of the needs on the ground and described how local organizations in Afghanistan are helping to initiate legal reforms. In addition, Mr. O’Brien announced the strong support and contributions of a number of law firms already committed to the Partnership. The Public Private Partnership expects to raise $1 million dollars by the end of March to fund five quick impact projects in the justice sector. In addition, an event is planned to be held in New York on March 20 to promote the Partnership and seek support from the New York legal community.
For more information on the Public Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan, CLICK HERE
