Strengthening the Rule of Law in Asia

Pavol Zilincik speaks at Lao National University’s Law Faculty in Vientiane.

Lawmakers and citizens are looking to Central Europe for new models to strengthen democracy in transitional countries. Over the past year, ELAW partner Pavol Zilincik traveled to Mongolia, China, India, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia to share his expertise building access to justice in Slovakia. Pavol founded Via Iuris, Slovakia's leading public interest environmental law organization.

Slovakia (pop. 5 million) was part of Czechoslovakia in Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe until 1989 when the authoritarian regime collapsed. "It is only since that time that we can talk about effective protection of human and civil rights," says Pavol. In 1993, the Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully and since 2004 they have met as members of the European Union.

ELAW helped Pavol connect with grassroots advocates in China and Laos who are at the forefront of efforts in those countries to strengthen the rule of law.

Pavol writes:

Authoritarian regimes have unique systems with no feedback mechanisms. As channels for government feedback are closed, institutions and society degenerate. That is why in post-Communist countries, human rights litigation and advocacy are critical tools for citizens to provide feedback to government.

In my presentations across Asia, I focused on Slovakia's transition to democracy and how civil society contributes to this positive development through access to information, access to justice, freedom of speech and public participation. I gave examples of Slovakia's practical achievements in protecting forests, resolving land conflicts, and addressing issues involving dams, the forced displacement of villagers, and waste dumps.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

Gandhi's words have inspired the successful campaigns of many civil society groups throughout Europe.

For more information see: http://www.viaiuris.sk .