Criminal Law Reform Program in Uzbekistan

The American Bar Association/Rule of Law Initiative (ABA/ROLI) will increase the capacity and effectiveness of criminal justice systems in Central Asia. The project will cultivate stronger national criminal defense bars to better protect the rights of individual citizens and advocate for the rule of law in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. ABA/ROLI will promote the institutionalization of a variety of criminal justice reforms supported by the ABA in the region. The goals of the project are to more effectively balance power between prosecution and defense attorneys, increase professionalism of the courts, and to improve citizens' access to the law in criminal cases.

ABA/ROLI will create a cross-border network of Public Defender Centers (PDC) by establishing two pilot projects in underserved communities within the region. The newly established PDCs will draw on the experience of Uzbek attorneys who provide pro bono assistance to the citizens of Uzbekistan. A network of PDCs will improve defense attorneys' ability to function on the national level through information exchange on challenges and solutions and leveraging of experience and knowledge.

NCA/NCF