Rule of Law Revlution by Marisa McQuilken

AFGHANISTAN: A STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE

The Realities of Reform
By Marisa McQuilken

Last year, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice enthusiastically launched the Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan, a partnership with private law firms designed to put American lawyers in contact with their Afghan counterparts for rule-of-law training. Private firms have contributed $1.5 million in cash and services to the effort, but major obstacles lie on the road to success: The Afghan people are resisting Western-style rule of law reforms, Americans already on the ground in the country are protective of their turf, and the Partnership is still learning to grapple with the country's unique legal culture.