Regional Report on Justice Reform Initiatives

Purpose of a Regional Survey

The Justice Working Group’s project on “Promoting the Independence and Impartiality of the Judiciary in the EuroMed Region” comprises the drafting of a regional survey on ongoing reform initiatives in the field of Justice in the EuroMed region, which cover initiatives taking place at national government level, bi-laterally (between EU member states and South member states) or inter-governmentally (UNDP, EU, World Bank etc).

The Survey is drafted by Ms Sian Lewis-Anthony, an independent legal expert, also co-author of the first justice report Justice in the South and East Mediterranean Region. Ms Lewis-Anthony, who is working in cooperation with local organisations and resource persons in the region, will attend all four national seminars, but will also cover countries where no seminars are taking place.

This Survey, of which the purpose is to map the reform initiatives having an impact on the independence and impartiality of the judiciaries of the region, is expected to be published by the end of 2007/early 2008. It will complement the four national reports, launched simultaneously, and will hopefully facilitate future local and regional actions by civil society in terms of judicial reform.