International Institute on Justice to be established in Malta

Malta is to become home to The International Institute on Justice and the Rule of Law which will begin operations in 2014.  The announcement was made by Secretary Kerry during the fourth ministerial meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) in New York on September 27th.

“Given its geographical location and political orientation, Malta offers an ideal location to establish this new center and the United States is grateful for the Government of Malta’s willingness to host the Institute,” Kerry said.

The Institute will serve as a training centre, initially focusing its attention on interested countries in North, West and East Africa.  Its main purpose will be to strengthen criminal justice and other rule of law institutions, as well as to promote judicial and police cooperation.  It will also allow countries to provide justice, security and liberty to their citizens in accordance with basic human rights and the rule of law.

The training provided by the Institute should ensure that countries are better-equipped to safeguard their citizens against threats such as terrorism.  It will support the implementation of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy, in particular Pillar IV of its Plan of Action, which underscores the critical role that an effective and rule of law-based national criminal justice system plays in ensuring that terrorists and their supporters are brought to justice in a manner that respects human rights.