DUSHANBE, October 20, 2008, Asia-Plus -- On Friday, October 17, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, Necia Quast donated $12,000 of computer equipment from the Embassy’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement to the Judicial Training Center at the Justice Council as the part of a project to support reform and professional improvement of Tajikistan’s Justice Sector, press release issued by the US Embassy in Dushanbe said.

The United States is collaborating with Tajikistan to improve the selection and training process for new judges and to provide sitting judges with access to international developments in judicial methodology. US-Tajik collaboration in justice sector areas began in 2004.

The current program consists of projects to reform the criminal procedures code, assist Tajikistan’s defense bar associations, and expand secular law courses at the Islamic University. These projects are implemented through the American Bar Association/Rule of Law Initiative. In addition, the U.S. Embassy is supporting projects through local NGOs to provide access to the legal system to poor people, disadvantaged citizens, minors, women, and those who live in rural areas.