Al Amarah Law Library Restored Thanks to Iraqi-American Partnership

Law Library staffer reviewing donated books

May 22, 2010, Amarah - After months of planning and preparation, the judges at the Appellate Courthouse in Al Amarah again have a law library full of books.  The original library was looted in the 2003 and has never been replaced.  The Chief Judge and President of the Court of Appeals in Maysan, Judge Nouri Ahmad Mansour, was delighted at the delivery of 400 volumes of important law books. "We have worked for a long time for this day and I am delighted with this first delivery," he stated.  The total project will consist of over 750 volumes and about $60,000 worth of copy, fax and scanning machines.

"The upgrade in our technology at the courthouse will help us better serve the people of Maysan," said Judge Ali Rasmy Alsa'adi, the court's project manager for the book acquisition.  "For years the judges have done an outstanding job of rendering just and good decisions while handicapped by the absence of these important books. Now, we can work on behalf of the people quicker and with even better judgments" said Chief Judge Nouri.

Mr. Mike Flanagan, the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team's (PRT) Senior Rule of Law Advisor stated, "The continuing partnership with hardworking legal professional like the judges of Maysan is a joy."

These initiatives are part of the commitment of the Maysan PRT, in cooperation with the US Army, to work closely with provincial, district, and civil society leaders to help build capacity in Maysan.  The U.S. government has invested more than 365 million USD in the province since 2003.  Currently, there are 30 million USD in U.S.-funded projects underway in Maysan.