Rule of Law

• International Network to Promote the Rule of Law (INPROL)
  INPROL is a web-based worldwide network of rule of law practitioners and experts created to support practitioners in the field. Through INPROL, those confronting the challenge of building the rule of law in post-conflict states can access some 800 seasoned legal advisors, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, civilian police, stability police, corrections officials, and judicial administrators to get advice and build on the lessons of prior experiences. The network also provides access to an extensive library of primary and secondary documents pertaining to a broad range of rule of law topics.


• Model Codes for Post-Conflict Justice
  Model Codes for Post-Conflict Justice is an invaluable tool for both international and national actors involved in reforming criminal laws in societies emerging from conflict. Drawing on many of the best legal systems worldwide, it is designed to help ensure laws meet international standards, while realistically responding to the exigencies and needs of local post-conflict environments. The volumes includes a Model Criminal Code, Model Code of Criminal Procedure, Model Detention Act, and Model Police Act, as well as extensive practical commentary. Over 300 experts in 40 countries participated in the development of the Model Codes.


• Combating Serious Crimes in Post-Conflict Societies: A Handbook for Policymakers and Practitioners
  Post-conflict societies often suffer from a breakdown of law and order, resulting in varied forms of criminal activity that can have a profoundly destabilizing impact on the society. Drawing on firsthand experience in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and elsewhere, Combating Serious Crimes in Post-conflict Societies: A Handbook for Policymakers and Practitioners distills practical, hard-won knowledge into guidance for policymakers and practitioners who are facing the challenge of addressing organized crime and other destabilizing crime in peace and stabilization operations. USIP has also developed a training course based on the book.


• Rule of Law Directories
  The Institute has helped develop the following series of directories related to the rule of law. Each directory provides narrative profiles of the assistance available from each of hundreds of relevant organizations.
• Democracy's Dawn: A Directory of American Initiatives on Constitutionalism, Democracy, and the Rule of Law in Central and Eastern Europe
• A Directory of U.S. Resources on the Rule of Law for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union
• The International Rule of Law Directory (created by the International Bar Association, commissioned by the Institute)


• Following The Money 101: A Primer on Money-Trail Investigations
  This manual identifies effective methods to gather documentation on financial and economic networks sustaining repressive regimes. Developed by the Coalition for International Justice with USIP support, the primer has a companion on-line guide that describes how to initiate a financial investigation, identifies and explains the significance of important financial transactions and structures, and provides inventories of useful open sources (e.g., publicly available government resources, trade registries and court transcripts.


• Transitional Justice: How Emerging Democracies Reckon with Former Regimes
  As nations move from repression to democracy, or from war to peace, the legacy of past abuses can be a heavy burden. How can a society peacefully integrate both the personnel and the victims of the former regime? How can it achieve both justice and reconciliation? USIP helped shape the field of "transitional justice" and its three-volume collection Transitional Justice: How Emerging Democracies Reckon with Former Regimes is a path breaking resource for practitioners and policymakers grappling with these difficult problems in numerous countries. The volumes cover legal, political and philosophical perspectives, and draws upon the experience of more than 20 transitions from World War II through the end of the century.


• Forensic Training for Human Rights and Humanitarian Investigations
  Physicians for Human Rights, with support from USIP, developed this web-based distance-learning course in the forensic sciences. It targets a wide audience, from less experienced volunteer human rights investigators to expert international professionals. In addition to collecting physical evidence, the course also covers working with families and communities affected by violence. Regular 'quizzes' and exercises encourage trainees to reflect on the material that they have been exposed to and help ensure the learning objectives are met.


• DVD: Confronting the Truth: Truth Commissions and Societies in Transition
  A number of countries that have experienced massive human rights violations have created official, independent bodies known as truth commissions, to help them move forward by acknowledging past atrocities. Using archival footage and on-location interviews the film Confronting the Truth explores the use of truth commissions in Peru, South Africa, East Timor, and Morocco. The film is a production of York Zimmerman Inc., in association with USIP and the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. Versions have been produced in English, Arabic, Kurdish, Bosnian, and Nepali with Dari coming soon.


• DVD: State of Fear
  This one-hour documentary, supported by USIP, examines how a society recuperates from the trauma of mass violence. The trajectories of four characters linked to Peru's truth and reconciliation commission are featured in the film, which won the 2007 Overseas Press Club Award for "Best Reporting in Any Medium about Latin America."


• DVDs: Genocide
  USIP supported the production of two films about reconciliation after the Rwandan genocide:
• Rwanda: Gacaca: Living Together Again in Rwanda?
• In Rwanda We Say...The Family That Does Not Speak Dies
  This film, called "an astonishing little documentary," provides remarkable insights about the experience of Rwandans and their "almost unbelievable ability to forgive" along with their "resignation and anger."


• Truth Commissions Digital Collection
  This digital library includes documents from over 35 truth commissions and related commissions of inquiry.
• Additional Resources
  The Institute has been instrumental in helping seed the peacebuilding field, both intellectually and institutionally. Over the course of its relatively short history, USIP has produced over 400 field-defining publications on conflict management. Click here for access to our full inventory of publications. USIP also has an extensive library. Click here to search our print and digital collections of books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, digital files (documents, audio, and video presentations), and more.


• Training & Education Resources
  The tools described above are valuable assets, but the most important peacebuilding assets are the individuals who engage in it. International peacebuilding (aka, international conflict management) is a relatively new area of systematic study and USIP is making a significant investment in developing relevant materials and courses. Click here to learn more about our Education and Training Center and to access useful materials for the classroom.

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