The Rule of Law in Afghanistan

To shed light on recent developments and identify the challenges and achievements in Afghanistan, the European Foundation for Democracy (EFD) shall organise a series of seminars from January to February 2011 taking place in Germany (27th-28th January), Belgium (29th January-2nd February), France (2nd-4th February), Hungary (5th-7th February) and Italy (8th-10th February). Focusing particularly on Europe's contribution, the events shall centre on the enforcement of the rule of law and the functioning of the judiciary, both crucial in the advance of security and democracy. A more secure and law-abiding Afghanistan is a stronger ally to Europe.

Speakers participating in the events shall be:

Dr. Gulalei Safi Nur, a Member of the Afghan Parliament re-elected in 2010 to her second term as the MP representing the Northern Balkh Province of Afghanistan.

Afzal Nooristani, a lawyer and Executive Director of the Legal Aid Organisation of Afghanistan (LAOA), an NGO training hundreds of Afghan lawyers and protecting the rights of the vulnerable.

Hayatullah Ahadyar, a judge at the Primary Court of Counter Narcotics in Afghanistan and a former journalist.

Details of events can be found below. To request attendance, r.s.v.p. to anna.dalborgo(at)europeandemocracy.org:

Germany (27th-28th January 2011):

Presentation and Discussion at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with DGAP (German Council on Foreign Relations). Hosted by Markus Löning, Human Rights Commissioner of the German Federal Government.

Friday 28th January, 10:00-12:30.    Venue: Federal Foreign Office, Werderscher Markt 1.

Belgium (29th January-2nd February 2011):

Panel discussion with Afghan speakers focusing on women's rights and empowerment issues in co-operation with the European Policy Centre. Discussion shall be chaired by Director of Studies Josef Janning, with an appearance by Guest Speaker Bettina Muscheidt from the European Commission.

Tuesday 1st February, 9:30-11:00.  Venue: Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 1040, Brussels.

Screening of Afghan Star documentary at the European Commission exclusively for Commission Stagiaires in co-operation with the Stagiaire Committee of the Commisssion.

Monday 31st January, 19:00-21:00.  Venue: DG Education and Culture, Madou Tower.

Public Discussion organised in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Namur and hosted by Professor Nathalie Basecqz.

Tuesday 1st February, 16:00-18:00.  Venue: Faculty of Law, University of Namur.

France (2nd-4th February 2011):

Roundtable discussion focusing on the rule of law in Afghanistan, organised in co-operation with the Law Faculty of University of Assas (Paris II).

Wednesday 2nd February, 17:00-19:00.  Venue: Faculty of Law, University of Assas.

Conference with the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS) in co-operation with the Faculté des Sciences Sociales et Economiques (FASSE) of the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP).

Thursday 3rd February, 10:00-12:00.   Venue: ICP-FASSE, B-29-21, Rue d'Assas, Paris.

Conference with IRIS (Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques) and Franςoise Hostalier MP at the French National Assembly.

Thursday 3rd February 14:00-15:45.   Venue: French National Assembly, Paris.

Conference in co-operation with the Human Rights Institute at the Catholic University of Lyon.

Friday 4th February, 13:00-14:30.    Venue: Catholic University of Lyon.

Hungary (5th-7th February 2011):

Public Event organised in collaboration with the International Centre for Transitional Democracy in Budapest.

Monday 7th February, 10:00-12:00.   Venue: TBC.

Italy (8th-10th February 2011):

Public Event organised in co-operation with ISPI (Instituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale-Institute for International Politics Studies).

Tuesday 8th February, 18:00-20:00.    Venue: ISPI Premises, Via Clerici 5, Milan.

Guest Lecture (TBC) at the Tor Vergata University in Rome with the three Afghan speakers.

Wednesday 9th February, 16:00-17:30.  Venue: Tor Vergata University, Rome.

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