From 14 to 27 May, twelve Afghan judges are attending an intensive theoretical and practical training course at “Tor Vergata” University in Rome. The course is promoted by the University’s Department of Law, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a capacity-building initiative that builds on the numerous projects already implemented with funding from the Farnesina in collaboration with the Finance Police and the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in Sanremo
The course at Tor Vergata is designed to give the 12 Afghan participants an in-depth view of the Italian legal system through 40 hours of teaching and practical modules. Topics covered include investigation techniques, personal freedoms, detention and arrest, the general principles of a fair trial, cross examination, crimes against the public administration, and comparative Italian experience. The programme also includes visits to Italy’s highest judicial institutions – the Council of State and Supreme Council of the Judiciary – and to the Senate of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies.
Course participants – include 4 women
Course participants – who include 4 women – are all highly experienced and represent Afghanistan’s highest institutions, both central and from the western region, most notably the provinces of Herat, Ghor, Kandahar, Farah, Zabol and Nimroz.
The training programme has been organised under the long-term bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Afghanistan, which came into force on 22 April 2013. The Agreement envisages on-going Italian support for the rule of law with the aim of building capacity in the Afghan legal system, improving access to justice and promoting respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities.
