Released by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
September 17, 2003
The Arab Judicial Forum 2003 has been a superb opportunity to discuss essential elements of sound judicial systems throughout the world and specifically here in the Middle East. The United States would like to thank the Kingdom of Bahrain for co-hosting and participating in every aspect of planning for the forum. We would also like to thank all the countries in the region that sent delegations. Together we as participants have identified both challenges ahead and proposed actions that we can take together in the region, and in our own countries, to ensure our justice systems are truly ready to carry us through the 21st century.
Yet if we are to build on the momentum created here at this forum, today must not be the end of our discussion, but rather the beginning. The United States is committed to working with you and the entire region as partners. Our goal is to support you in the reform efforts you are committed to take that are appropriate for you and your country. As this forum has demonstrated, there are many methods to achieve the rule of law and fair and equitable administration of justice. The United States is committed to supporting future Arab Judicial Forums to continue our dialogue.
President George W. Bush reaffirmed the U.S. Government's commitment to the Middle East through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). An integral part of the Initiative is our commitment to supporting legal reform efforts. As a result, today the United States is announcing several follow-on programs to this Arab Judicial Forum.
First, as was observed in this forum, there is a need for more regional dialogue on alternative dispute resolution and other mechanisms to improve the efficiency of the judicial process. The region offers many good models in these areas that should be shared. Through the Middle East Partnership Initiative, the United States is prepared to help facilitate this discussion.
We also will work with government and non-government partners in the region and a consortium of legal institutions, including Yale Law School, New York University Law School, Columbia University Law School, the University of Michigan Law School, and the International Law Institute in Washington, DC, to develop and conduct a commercial law reform program focusing on substantive law reform and training in areas such as international arbitration and transnational enforcement of judgments. Participants will include judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals. We expect to hold training programs here in Bahrain and throughout the region.
Finally, the Middle East Partnership Initiative and the Government of Jordan will host an Arab Women’s Judicial Workshop early next year in Amman. The workshop will bring Arab women judges, legal activists, and Islamic scholars together to discuss increasing women's opportunities in the legal profession, as well as critical issues affecting women and youth in the legal system.
The Middle East Partnership Initiative
In his May 9, 2003 speech at the University of South Carolina, President George W. Bush reaffirmed the U.S. Government's commitment to the Middle East through two key essential elements, the Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). MEPI was founded to support economic, political, and educational reform efforts in the Middle East and champion opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth. The initiative strives to link Arab, U.S., and global private sector businesses; non-governmental organizations; civil society elements; and governments together to develop innovative policies and programs to achieve this mission.
In the economic pillar, MEPI policy and programs support region-wide economic and employment growth driven by private sector expansion and entrepreneurship. In the political pillar, MEPI champions an expanded public space where democratic voices can be heard in the political process, the people have a choice in governance, and there is respect for the rule of law. In the education pillar, MEPI envisions education systems with modern curriculums that teach all people, including girls, the skills necessary to compete in today’s economy. Finally, in the women’s empowerment pillar, MEPI works toward economic, political, and educational systems where women enjoy full and equal opportunities.
[end]
