USAID launches new 5-year programme to strengthen courts in Georgia, “expand access to justice”
The USAID states that in partnership with the Georgian parliament, courts, judges, civil society and universities will “help build a more independent, effective, and accountable judicial system.” Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching a new five-year Rule of Law programme that aims to strengthen the Georgian justice system "by consolidating and building upon past judicial reforms."
The USAID said the programme would “help build a more independent, effective, and accountable judicial system” in partnership with the Georgian parliament, courts, judges, civil society and universities.
Implemented by the East-West Management Institute, the programme will be “focused on citizens’ access to justice and interactions with judicial institutions,” the announcement from the agency added.
.@USAID has launched a new program to help #Georgia build a more independent, effective, and accountable judicial system. Increased focus on ensuring access to justice for all Georgian citizens. Read full announcement here: https://t.co/0pONLTCuSw @usingeo @ewmiorg pic.twitter.com/RFoqjsHT30
— USAID Georgia (@USAIDGeorgia) January 18, 2022
The reveal of the programme follows recent developments around the government's steps for reforming Georgia's judiciary system. A related EU-mediated agreement, signed by the ruling Georgian Dream party and a majority of opposition parties in April 2021, committed its signatories to ensure large-scale electoral and judiciary reforms.
Through 2026, USAID will help build a culture of engagement between Georgia’s courts and respective communities, considerably expand partnerships with regional courts, judges, and legal professionals working at the sub-national levels, and increase peer-to-peer learning and in-court mentoring between Georgian and American legal professionals,”
- USAID
However, the ruling party withdrew from the deal in late July, stating it had already taken “major steps” to reform the judiciary, and pledging the process would be “successfully completed.”
USAID has been operating in Georgia since 1992 with over $1.8 billion worth of support provided to the country.
USAID/Georgia mission Director Peter Wiebler said the agency supported the country’s development in three main directions, including "building resilience, promoting citizen-centred democratic processes and advancing inclusive economic growth."