Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - Fifteen fourth and fifth year student-clinicians from six law schools of Kyrgyzstan took part in the Academy of Human Rights which took place on August 24-27 in Issyk-Kul. During the summer school students learned about human rights issues within national legal framework and strengthened their professional skills in protecting rights and interests of clients in legal proceedings. The training was organized by ABA ROLI as part of USAID’s “Support to the Kyrgyzstani Legal Defense Community Program”.

“The organizers facilitated a productive atmosphere at that allowed us to immerse ourselves in our work but to also make great friends from other legal clinics” says Murzaev Ismail, a student of the Jalal-Abad Institute of Law.

Experienced professors and practicing defense attorneys from the Kyrgyz National University delivered lectures and master classes as well as organized group work and mock trials.

Each university clinic was represented by its top students who demonstrated initiative and leadership and had substantial academic success. The next generation of lawyers worked on their additional practical skills to provide quality legal representation to citizens before they begin their professional career. They learned how to better prepare legal procedural documents and work with case evidence.

According to one of the trainers, a professor of the Kyrgyz National University of Kyrgyzstan Tynaeva Anna, although students studied criminal procedures during their university courses, they experienced difficulties applying them in mock trials. “This event was a great opportunity for them to hone their knowledge and motivated them to be more active and work hard” says Ms. Tynaeva.

Participants of the summer school plan to organize post-summer school activities for their legal clinics and peers, which will help strengthen their leadership skills.

The “Support to the Kyrgyzstani Legal Defense Community” Program is implemented by ABA ROLI with support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Through this program, ABA ROLI and USAID enhance the capacity, skills, and knowledge of practicing attorneys and the next generation of lawyers in order to improve access to an impartial justice system, build public confidence in the legal system, and promote stability in the Kyrgyz Republic.